{"id":13214,"date":"2026-05-27T23:22:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T23:22:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/05\/27\/live-updates-trump-talks-iran-and-touts-republican-primary-wins-at-his-11th-public-cabinet-meeting-nbc-news\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T23:22:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T23:22:30","slug":"live-updates-trump-talks-iran-and-touts-republican-primary-wins-at-his-11th-public-cabinet-meeting-nbc-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/2026\/05\/27\/live-updates-trump-talks-iran-and-touts-republican-primary-wins-at-his-11th-public-cabinet-meeting-nbc-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Live updates: Trump talks Iran and touts Republican primary wins at his 11th public Cabinet meeting – NBC News"},"content":{"rendered":"
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2m ago \/ 7:15 PM EDT<\/p>\n

First on NBC News: Sen. Ruben Gallego creates legal defense fund to respond to \u2018right-wing conspiracy theorists\u2019<\/h2>\n
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Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., has set up a legal defense fund to respond to ethics complaints that his office calls conspiracy theories from critics like Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla.<\/p>\n

It is named the \u201cSenator Ruben Gallego Legal Defense Fund,\u201d according to a filing yesterday with the IRS, and it comes after Luna accused him<\/a> of misconduct toward others without providing details and referred the matter to the Senate Ethics Committee.<\/p>\n

\u201cSenator Gallego is under attack from right-wing conspiracy theorists like Anna Paulina Luna, the Trump Administration, and their cronies. This White House has made clear it is their priority to abuse their power and target political enemies. Senator Gallego will not stand for it,\u201d Gallego spokesperson Jacques Petit told NBC News today.<\/p>\n

Gallego has denied any personal wrongdoing. The new defense fund could help him cover the legal costs of responding to the claims, the senator\u2019s team said, while adding that Luna has offered \u201cno details or evidence\u201d that he has engaged in ethical misconduct. Gallego’s team said he’s fully complying with the inquiry.<\/p>\n

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Luna\u2019s claims came after Gallego was probed about his close friendship with former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who resigned in disgrace after a wave of sexual assault and misconduct allegations<\/a>. Gallego denied prior knowledge<\/a> of Swalwell\u2019s conduct and said he felt \u201clied to\u201d and \u201cbetrayed\u201d by the former congressman. Swalwell, through a lawyer, has denied the allegations of sexual misconduct and assault.<\/p>\n

There is precedent for the legal move taken by Gallego. Sens. Adam Schiff<\/a>, D-Calif., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., all set up<\/a> legal defense funds within the last year to respond to Justice Department probes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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2h ago \/ 6:09 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Sen. John Thune says he spoke to Paxton: ‘We’ve got to pivot and go all-in’<\/h2>\n
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said today that he has spoken to Paxton after he won the Texas Republican Senate primary yesterday, ousting Cornyn.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have spoken with him. Spoke with John Cornyn, as well. And yes, obviously, we are making the pivot, and you know, he\u2019s all-in, ready to go for the fall election and not taking any time off, already on the phone raising money and all the things you\u2019re going to have to do to be successful,” Thune said in an interview with Hugh Hewitt<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thune had been a vocal supporter of Cornyn’s re-election campaign, having cast doubts on Paxton’s candidacy’s being strong enough to beat Talarico, the Democratic nominee.<\/p>\n

Thune said today that “losing is not an option when it comes to the state of Texas and what it means for our majority in the Senate.”<\/p>\n

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“John Cornyn, I believe, had been a great partner for us in the Senate and had done a great job for Texas and for our country,” Thune said. “But, you know, the voters, Republican voters in Texas spoke last night. Ken Paxton is our nominee heading into November, and we\u2019ve got to pivot and go all-in to make sure that we keep Texas red, that he wins and that we keep a far-left liberal out of the United States Senate.”<\/p>\n

He said the seat is “going to be very key to our majority, which will determine the future of our country.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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2h ago \/ 5:59 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Analysis: Incumbents in both parties are falling in primaries \u2014 but for very different reasons<\/h2>\n
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More members of Congress have lost primaries in the last three months than in all of 2024. And there\u2019s reason to believe it could get worse for entrenched incumbents.<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/em><\/strong><\/a> <\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u2014<\/em><\/strong><\/a> <\/em><\/strong><\/a>subscribe.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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2h ago \/ 5:20 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Jill Biden says she thought Joe Biden was ‘having a stroke’ during 2024 debate<\/h2>\n
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Former first lady Jill Biden said today that she thought her husband was \u201chaving a stroke\u201d during his critical June 2024 debate, which catalyzed the chain of events that led him to drop out of the presidential election.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know what happened. I mean, when I, as I watched it, I thought, \u2018Oh, my God, he\u2019s having a stroke.\u2019 And it scared me to death,\u201d Jill Biden said in an interview with CBS News\u2019 \u201cSunday Morning,\u201d<\/a> set to air this Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was frightened, because I had never ever seen Joe like that before or since. Never,\u201d she lady said.<\/p>\n

The debate led to rampant scrutiny of Joe Biden\u2019s cognitive abilities, which the White House pushed back against. At the time, Jill Biden called her husband\u2019s performance<\/a> \u201cgreat,\u201d praising him for having \u201canswered every question.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe Biden stayed in the race for weeks after the debate, despite mounting pressure to drop out. He eventually decided to drop out three weeks after the debate, with 107 days to go before the 2024 election.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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3h ago \/ 5:02 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Former federal judges urge reopening of Trump-IRS case that resulted in $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization’ fund<\/h2>\n
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Thirty-five former federal judges today filed an amicus brief<\/a> urging U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams to reopen Trump\u2019s case against the IRS, which both parties voluntarily dismissed this month.<\/p>\n

In the \u201cfriend of the court\u201d brief, the former judges say that \u201cthe Court was deceived\u201d and call the settlement a product of \u201ccollusion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trump and his co-plaintiffs agreed to drop the lawsuit this month in exchange for creating a nearly $1.8 billion<\/a> \u201cAnti-Weaponization Fund.\u201d The fund would give payouts to purported victims who have \u201csuffered weaponization and lawfare\u201d by the federal government, potentially including Jan. 6 defendants.<\/p>\n

Democrats lambasted the settlement as a \u201cslush fund,\u201d and legal experts called the move \u201cunprecedented.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe Court was deceived,\u201d the judges wrote in their brief. \u201cDespite Plaintiffs not having mentioned any settlement in their Notice, the Department of Justice (\u2018DOJ\u2019) publicly announced a \u2018settlement\u2019 of this action shortly after Plaintiffs filed their dismissal. That \u2018settlement\u2019 commandeers the contrived sum of $1.776 billion from the United States Treasury, to be handed out to recipients chosen by a commission effectively controlled by the President.\u201d<\/p>\n

The judges ask Williams to use her powers under Rule 60<\/a> to reopen the case for further briefing on why the court was deceived. Among the signers are retired federal judges Michael Luttig, Paul Michel and T. John Ward.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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4h ago \/ 3:54 PM EDT<\/p>\n

James Talarico says he \u2018missed the mark\u2019 on \u2018cringey\u2019 comments as Texas general election starts<\/h2>\n
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Talarico said today that previous comments he has made about sensitive cultural issues \u201cmissed the mark\u201d as Republicans lean on those remarks to attack him in the contentious Senate race.<\/p>\n

Asked in an interview with NBC News whether he wanted to clarify some of those statements, which Paxton has been highlighting in recent days, Talarico, the Democratic nominee, said, \u201cI\u2019ll be the first to admit that I missed the mark on some of those old statements, but what Ken Paxton is doing is clipping my cringey comments to distract from his career of corruption.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paxton defeated longtime Sen. John Cornyn<\/a> in the GOP primary runoff yesterday. In his remarks celebrating the victory, he referred to Talarico by a string of mocking nicknames \u2014 \u201cTofu Talarico,\u201d \u201cSix -gender Jimmy,\u201d \u201cJames Tala-freako\u201d and \u201cLow T Talarico\u201d \u2014 and denounced his positions related to gender-affirming care, immigration, energy and religion.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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5h ago \/ 3:13 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Stop, celebrate and listen: Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida booked for America250 bash<\/h2>\n
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Make America the Early \u201990s Again?<\/p>\n

The musical lineup for a \u201cWorld Fair-style celebration\u201d on the National Mall marking America\u2019s 250th birthday will include hip-hop acts Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida, organizers announced today.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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5h ago \/ 2:48 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Trump says he may attend Knicks\u2019 NBA Finals game in New York <\/h2>\n
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Trump said he thinks he will attend an NBA Finals game after the New York Knicks advanced to the finals<\/a> for the first time in 27 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey have some great players,\u201d Trump told reporters during the White House Cabinet meeting today. \u201cI think I\u2019ll be going to one of the games. Yeah, I was invited by numerous people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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6h ago \/ 1:20 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Mullin defends immigration detention center in Newark where some detainees went on a hunger strike<\/h2>\n
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In remarks at the Cabinet meeting, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended an immigration detention center in New Jersey where detainees have been on a hunger strike and protests recently erupted outside. <\/p>\n

“They say that it’s because they’re on a hunger strike when there was only a handful of individuals that was refusing to eat because they want their ethnic group \u2014 their ethnic right food,” Mullin said, discussing the protesters and the detainees. “Well, they go back to their country and get whatever food they want. The fact is, we’re giving them the calories they’d want. This isn’t a Holiday Inn.”<\/p>\n

Detainees at Delaney Hall in Newark went on a hunger strike to protest the center’s conditions, and a lawyer representing detainees <\/a>alleged <\/a>t<\/a>o<\/a> NBC News<\/a> that her clients were given expired food and food with worms in it. <\/p>\n

Protesters have gathered outside the facility, and Democratic lawmakers and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill have also visited the scene. <\/p>\n

Asked during the Cabinet meeting about the protests, Trump claimed, without evidence, that the protesters were “fake” and “paid for.” <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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6h ago \/ 1:18 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Trump Cabinet meeting ends<\/h2>\n
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Trump’s 11th public Cabinet meeting has ended after a little more than an hour.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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7h ago \/ 1:04 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Trump says ‘no one is going to control’ the Strait of Hormuz<\/h2>\n
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Trump was asked at the end of his Cabinet meeting whether he would accept a short-term deal that would allow Iran and Oman to control the Strait of Hormuz. <\/p>\n

“No, the strait is going to be open to everybody,” he said, adding, “Nobody is going to control it.”<\/p>\n

“We’re going to watch over it, we’ll watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it. That’s part of the negotiation that we have. They would like to control it. Nobody’s going to control \u2014\u00a0it’s international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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7h ago \/ 1:00 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Cabinet members have new MAGA caps<\/h2>\n
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Positioned in front of all the Cabinet secretaries on the table are red baseball caps \u2014 but they’re a bit different from the typical Trump “Make America Great Again” hats. <\/p>\n

The caps says “United States of America” above an American flag, a bald eagle and a gold Mount Rushmore. Below the images are the words “250th Anniversary.” <\/p>\n

The hats are also emblazoned with a gold “47” on one side and an American flag patch on the other. <\/p>\n

= 1000px) and (min-resolution: 2dppx)”>= 1000px) and (resolution < 2dppx)\">\"A<\/picture>\n

<\/span>Win McNamee \/ Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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7h ago \/ 12:30 PM EDT<\/p>\n

White House rejects Iranian media reports about alleged peace deal outline<\/h2>\n
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The White House today vigorously rejected what Iranian state media called a preliminary “unofficial” memorandum-of-understanding framework with the U.S.<\/p>\n

“This report from Iranian controlled media is not true and the MOU they \u201creleased\u201d is a complete fabrication. Nobody should believe what Iranian state media is putting out. FACTS MATTER,” according to a statement posted on the White House’s Rapid Response 47 X account<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting earlier reported that the U.S. had promised to withdraw its forces from areas surrounding Iran and lift the naval blockade in the strait in exchange for Tehran\u2019s restoring the number of ships passing through the waterway to prewar levels within a month. <\/p>\n

The report from IRIB, which is linked to regime hard-liners who have opposed a deal, also said Iran and Oman would manage the maritime traffic through the strait. <\/p>\n

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= 1000px) and (min-resolution: 2dppx)”>= 1000px) and (resolution < 2dppx)\">\"Trump:<\/picture><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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7h ago \/ 12:23 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Trump again disparages people of Somali descent: ‘They’re all crooks’<\/h2>\n
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Trump disparaged people of Somali descent during the Cabinet meeting, saying, “They’re all crooks.”<\/p>\n

“The Somalians, what they’ve done to Minnesota, the Somalians, crooked as hell, Ilhan Omar, crooked as hell, they’re all crooks, and we got them, we got them,” he said.<\/p>\n

Trump has repeatedly used<\/a> derogatory language to describe Somali immigrants. He focused on Somalia following coverage from conservative influencers<\/a> late last year of a long-running federal fraud investigation involving childcare centers in Minnesota. Some of the people convicted as part of the investigation were of Somali descent.<\/p>\n

= 1000px) and (min-resolution: 2dppx)”>= 1000px) and (resolution < 2dppx)\">\"President<\/picture>\n

<\/span>Trump speaks at a Cabinet meeting today.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Samuel Corum \/ Sipa \/ Bloomberg via Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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7h ago \/ 12:22 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Cabinet applauds outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard<\/h2>\n
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The Cabinet applauded outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard after Trump commended her leadership in the role. <\/p>\n

“I want to express our tremendous gratitude to our outgoing Director of National intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who\u2019s a terrific person,” Trump said as the rest of the Cabinet applauded. <\/p>\n

“Tulsi has worked tirelessly to restore trust and focus on the intelligence, and with the intelligence community, they all respected her. They listened to her. She gave us leads that were pretty much, people thought they were dead, and they weren\u2019t dead, they were right there,” Trump said. <\/p>\n

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The president praised Gabbard for declassifications of “special public interest,” including documents related the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert F. Kennedy. <\/p>\n

“We’re now releasing a lot of things having to do with space,” he said. “People are very interested in it. It actually became the number one topic. We’re releasing a lot of information having to do with extraterrestrial, terrestrial things, and people are totally fascinated by it.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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8h ago \/ 12:10 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Trump starts meeting by touting administration’s policies on immigration, crime and drug prices<\/h2>\n
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Trump began the Cabinet meeting by touting his administration’s work on border security, crime and drug policies. <\/p>\n

The president praised the administration for decreasing border crossings, arguing that the border was now the safest its ever been. <\/p>\n

He also touted his administration’s steps to try to lower drug prices through “most favored nation” deals. NBC News has also previously reported that a Senate Democrat report found that some drug prices have continued climbing. <\/p>\n

= 1000px) and (min-resolution: 2dppx)”>= 1000px) and (resolution < 2dppx)\">\"President<\/picture>\n

<\/span>Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House today.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Win McNamee \/ Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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8h ago \/ 12:08 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Trump touts his influence after GOP primary election wins <\/h2>\n
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Trump touted his influence on GOP primary races after the Texas election yesterday and other recent ones. <\/p>\n

“Last night was incredible, not only Texas, but so many other places,” Trump said during his Cabinet meeting. “The numbers were fantastic, and they’ve really been that way for a year.I f you look, it’s hundreds of people won, and almost nobody didn’t win, but last night was very, very powerful.”<\/p>\n

Trump-endorsed candidate Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn yesterday in the GOP primary runoff. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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8h ago \/ 12:07 PM EDT<\/p>\n

White House Cabinet meeting begins<\/h2>\n
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The White House Cabinet meeting has started. The meetings often go hours long, and top administration officials typically use the occasions as a forum to tout their priorities, praise the president, and compare Democratic policies negatively with their own. <\/p>\n

The meeting was originally supposed to take place at Camp David, but Trump announced yesterday that it would instead be held at the White House “based on the possible bad weather conditions.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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8h ago \/ 12:03 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Alabama asks Supreme Court to allow it to use GOP-drawn congressional map<\/h2>\n
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Alabama officials have asked the Supreme Court to allow them to use a congressional map that would eliminate one of the state’s two majority-Black districts.<\/p>\n

In the latest flurry of activity over the Republican-drawn map that was enacted in 2023 but has never been used, the state asked the Supreme Court to preliminarily decide the issue by June 1.<\/p>\n

A three-judge panel on Tuesday<\/a> stuck by its earlier finding that the map intentionally discriminates on the basis of race under the Constitution’s 14th Amendment. The court had earlier found that it also violated the Voting Rights Act.<\/p>\n

The Supreme Court asked the judges to take a second look at the case following its recent decision that weakened the Voting Rights Act.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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8h ago \/ 11:20 AM EDT<\/p>\n

$20 billion in tariff refunds paid so far, with more on the way<\/h2>\n
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The Trump administration has refunded more than $20 billion so far in tariffs to importers and shippers, according to a court filing, after the Supreme Court struck down<\/a> the cornerstone of Trump\u2019s trade policy in February.<\/p>\n

The administration had relied on authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to collect more than $165 billion in country-specific tariffs from importers since the start of Trump\u2019s term. The high court found that these tariffs exceeded what IEEPA permitted the president to do.<\/p>\n

Now, those tariffs are being refunded to importers.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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9h ago \/ 10:37 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Trump will hold his 11th public Cabinet meeting of his second term today<\/h2>\n
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All but one of the 10 Cabinet meetings Trump has held so far this term have had public portions open to reporters that lasted over an hour \u2014 with three lasting over two hours. <\/p>\n

The longest part of a Cabinet meeting with the news media present, on Aug. 26, lasted three hours and 17 minutes. The last Cabinet meeting, in March, was open to the media for an hour and 38 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Trump\u2019s Cabinet meeting in January was the only one in which he did not answer questions from reporters.<\/p>\n

In March of last year, Trump posted <\/a>about a closed meeting he had with most of his Cabinet and tech mogul Elon Musk, saying he would hold those meetings every two weeks. That gathering is not counted among the 10 pre-announced Cabinet meetings the president has held so far.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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9h ago \/ 10:31 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Sen. Warren calls for changing tax laws to address AI<\/h2>\n
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Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., argued <\/a>for changing tax laws to address artificial intelligence in an op-ed today for Time magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The senator made the case that lawmakers needed to respond to the acceleration of AI by enacting policies such as raising taxes on “billionaire corporations” and enacting a “wealth tax,” both of which are popular liberal stances. <\/p>\n

She also called for “taxing AI companies directly, which can start with taxing AI data centers.”<\/p>\n

“By imposing a reasonable excise tax on the energy used by data centers, families could recoup some of the gains of AI, while America continues to stay competitive in the AI race,” she said. “A well-designed tax would focus on the companies that can afford it and scale with AI\u2019s impact: the bigger the data center, the more they pay.”<\/p>\n

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Warren also argued that lawmakers would need to enact liberal policies like universal health care and free education if AI ultimately leads to widespread job loss. <\/p>\n

As AI use surges, data centers <\/a>have ignited controversy in communities across the country. At the same time, polling indicates <\/a>that more voters hold negative views toward AI and are skeptical of both Democrats’ and Republicans’ ability to address it. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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9h ago \/ 10:18 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Trump pledges to protect the crypto industry and ensure prediction markets \u2018thrive\u2019<\/h2>\n
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Trump stressed the importance of establishing the Commodity Futures Trading Commission\u2019s \u201cexclusive authority\u201d over prediction markets yesterday and vowed to protect the cryptocurrency industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is critically important that the CFTC\u2019s exclusive authority over Prediction Markets is maintained, and that they will thrive,\u201d Trump wrote on Truth Social<\/a>. \u201cUnder my leadership, we are setting \u2018rules of the road\u2019 that are the Gold Standard for the States.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trump vowed to safeguard the interests of prediction markets and crypto after The New York Times<\/a> published a major investigation Sunday. It revealed that the CFTC has helped advance prediction markets \u201cat virtually every turn\u201d while softening regulatory enforcement of digital currencies \u2014 including by culling the commission\u2019s ranks and sidelining career officials.<\/p>\n

Trump and his family have financial ties <\/a>to both the prediction market industry and several lucrative crypto ventures, including a crypto company, World Liberty Financial<\/a>. Trump\u2019s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., has ties to Kalshi and Polymarket, the two most prominent platforms in the event-contract betting industry.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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10h ago \/ 10:04 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Biden sues Justice Department to stop release of audio from interviews<\/h2>\n
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Former President Joe Biden<\/a> sued the Justice Department<\/a> yesterday, urging a federal judge to block the release of audio recordings and transcripts of his private conversations with the ghostwriter of his 2017 memoir.<\/p>\n

The suit stems from a 2024 Freedom of Information Act request by the conservative Heritage Foundation, which later filed its own lawsuit to obtain Biden\u2019s remarks to Mark Zwonitzer when they were writing \u201cPromise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Justice Department had withheld the sought-after materials, arguing they were exempt from disclosure. But during President Donald Trump\u2019s second term, Biden\u2019s attorney Amy Jeffress writes in yesterday\u2019s lawsuit in U.S. District Court for Washington D.C., \u201cthe Department has reversed that position.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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10h ago \/ 9:52 AM EDT<\/p>\n

U.S. military strike on alleged drug boat in the eastern Pacific kills 1, leaving 2 survivors<\/h2>\n
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The U.S. military launched another strike yesterday on a vessel suspected of transporting drugs<\/a> in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing one man and leaving two survivors.<\/p>\n

Video posted on social media<\/a> by U.S. Southern Command shows a boat speeding through water before exploding into flames. Southern Command said it \u201cimmediately notified the U.S. Coast Guard to activate the Search and Rescue system for the survivors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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10h ago \/ 9:40 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Ted Cruz warns Republicans not to underestimate Talarico<\/h2>\n
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Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, warned Republicans not to underestimate Democratic nominee James Talarico\u2019s chances to beat the Republican Ken Paxton this fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Democrats believe they have a chance to win the general, and I got a message to Republicans in Texas and nationwide: Do not take this general election for granted,\u201d Cruz said on his podcast, “Verdict With Ted Cruz,” today.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is easy to say it\u2019s Texas, it\u2019s red, we\u2019re going to win \u2014 and I believe we are going to win,” Cruz said. “But I also think the Democrat nominee James Talarico is a dangerous candidate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cruz drew parallels to 2018, when he hung on by fewer than three points in his re-election bid against then-Rep. Beto O\u2019Rourke, a Democrat. He warned that Democrats will be energized again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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10h ago \/ 9:29 AM EDT<\/p>\n

John Cornyn undone by past Trump misgivings after decades as a loyal party man<\/h2>\n
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Ahead of his Republican primary runoff yesterday, Cornyn highlighted a photo of himself standing next to Trump as his pinned post on X<\/a>. He boosted one post disputing that he\u2019s \u201cdisloyal\u201d to Trump and another about voting \u201cyes on every major Trump law.\u201d<\/p>\n

The posts captured an important side of Cornyn: a loyal Republican soldier, standing with his party\u2019s leader. There\u2019s no disputing that Cornyn\u2019s voting record was almost perfectly aligned with Trump.<\/p>\n

The lopsided victory for Paxton in the election results captured an important reality of the GOP in 2026, too: That\u2019s not enough.<\/p>\n

Trump jumped in last week to issue a late endorsement<\/a> for Paxton, who ultimately defeated him tonight. In January, Cornyn\u2019s 24-year Senate career will come to an end.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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11h ago \/ 9:14 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Trump administration raises U.S. refugee cap, but only for white South Africans<\/h2>\n
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The Trump administration said yesterday that it is raising this year\u2019s cap on U.S. refugee admissions from 7,500 to 17,500, but only to admit more white South Africans. <\/p>\n

In addition to suspend<\/a>ing<\/a> U.S. refugee admissions<\/a> on his first day back in office last year, Trump has sought to end legal protections<\/a> for immigrants from Afghanistan, Haiti and elsewhere, and last fall his administration slashed the refugee admissions cap<\/a> for the new fiscal year to a record-low 7,500, compared with 125,000 a year during the Biden administration. <\/p>\n

Admissions are primarily reserved for Afrikaners, a white ethnic minority group that controlled South Africa during apartheid and who the Trump administration says are now subject to persecution, a claim the South African government denies and experts say is based on misinformation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In an announcement on the Federal Register<\/a>, Trump said the cap was being raised due to \u201can unforeseen emergency refugee situation,\u201d citing \u201crecent increases in the incitement of racially motivated violence\u201d by the South African government. He said the admission of Afrikaners was \u201cjustified by the grave humanitarian concerns and is otherwise in the national interest.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Beth Oppenheim, president and CEO of the Jewish humanitarian group HIAS, said the Trump administration was \u201cdismantling\u201d almost 50 years of U.S. efforts to offer safety to the world\u2019s most vulnerable refugees.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile refugee families from Afghanistan, Sudan, Iran, Venezuela, Haiti and elsewhere have been abandoned after years of vetting and waiting, the administration is expanding refugee admissions almost exclusively to prioritize white South Africans,\u201d she said. \u201cThat is not refugee protection. It is the politicization of a humanitarian program in service of an ideological agenda.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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11h ago \/ 9:01 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Special performances, movie screenings and a Ferris wheel set for 250th anniversary fair<\/h2>\n
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The organizers of celebrations to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary announced today the line-up of special musical performances for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall. <\/p>\n

The fair, which will run from June 25 to July 10, will feature performances by Martina McBride, Vanilla Ice, C+C Music Factory, The Commodores, Flo Rida, Bret Michaels and others, according to the announcement by Freedom 250. <\/p>\n

There will also be special screenings of “National Treasure” and “National Treasure: Book of Secrets, the organizers said in a news release. <\/p>\n

The fair will also feature a 110-foot Ferris wheel overlooking the National Mall, a newly refurbished Smithsonian carousel, and autonomous vehicle demonstrations.<\/p>\n

The organizers said they plan to announce more performers, speakers and participants in the “upcoming weeks.” <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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11h ago \/ 8:26 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Trump congratulates Paxton and praises Cornyn’s career<\/h2>\n
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Trump celebrated Paxton’s Senate primary victory, calling it “such a tremendous win,” while also praising Cornyn’s career and mocking the Democratic nominee, state Rep. James Talarico.<\/p>\n

“Congratulations to Ken Paxton on such a tremendous win, and to John Cornyn for having run a strong and powerful race but, more importantly, having had a truly great career,” Trump said in a Truth Social post<\/a>. “John will remain my friend for a long time to come, as we both watch Ken become a fantastic, common sense Senator, one who is respected by all.”<\/p>\n

Trump said he would hold rallies for Paxton, adding, “this will be FUN!”<\/p>\n

The president also said Talarico “may be the worst TEXAS candidate I have ever seen” before calling the Democratic nominee soft on crime and border security, among other claims about his policy stances. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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12h ago \/ 8:10 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Talarico reacts to Senate GOP runoff, calls November \u2018the people versus Ken Paxton\u2019<\/h2>\n
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Talarico characterized Paxton last night as corrupt and branded this fall\u2019s matchup as \u201cthe people versus Ken Paxton.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Democratic nominee for Senate cited Paxton\u2019s past impeachment by Texas House Republicans (he was later acquitted by the state Senate) and accused him<\/a> of \u201cusing his public office to enrich himself and his donors at the expense of the people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we, the people, can come together to defeat the most corrupt politician in America. We can defeat this entire corrupt system. We can start unrigging this economy. We can start raising our pay, cutting our taxes, lowering our costs,\u201d Talarico said in a video posted on X<\/a> shortly after polls closed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can finally get ahead. It\u2019s time to come together. The people versus Ken Paxton,\u201d Talarico added.<\/p>\n

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In a separate post, Talarico thanked Cornyn for his years representing Texas and made an appeal to his supporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t agree on everything, but we both still believe in public service,\u201d Talarico wrote<\/a>. \u201cTo Senator Cornyn\u2019s supporters: you have a place in our campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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12h ago \/ 8:00 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs launches first TV ad of re-election campaign ahead of an expected close race<\/h2>\n
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Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is reflecting on her upbringing and touting her record as governor in the first TV ad<\/a> of her re-election campaign this year.<\/p>\n

In the ad, shared first with NBC News today, Hobbs says to voters, \u201cMy parents didn\u2019t make a lot of money. My sister and I started working and helping out early.\u201d<\/p>\n

A narrator then tells viewers that Hobbs \u201cworked fast food and drove Uber to get by. Helped families in need as a social worker,\u201d all former jobs that she also highlighted in her first gubernatorial campaign<\/a> four years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The ad comes as the midterm election season is heating up across the country and Hobbs is gearing up for a competitive race this fall. In 2022, she beat GOP nominee Kari Lake by less than 1 percentage point<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This year’s Republican primary is still ongoing, with Reps. Andy Biggs and David Schweikert competing for the nomination.<\/p>\n

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In a memo from Hobbs\u2019 campaign manager, Nicole DeMont, also shared first with NBC News, DeMont wrote that the governor is spending early on paid media in anticipation of a close race: \u201cThe Hobbs campaign knows that Arizona races always tighten in the fall, and her re-election campaign is built to do what Hobbs has always done: come out on the winning side of a very close race.\u201d<\/p>\n

DeMont in the memo also called the ongoing GOP primary a \u201cmessy, chaotic race to the bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the ad out today, Hobbs also highlights her time as governor, with a narrator adding, \u201cAs governor, she balanced the budget without raising taxes. Expanding school lunches and community college scholarships. Reducing electricity bills and cutting red tape to build more affordable housing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The race for governor in this battleground state is expected to be tight again this year. In 2024, Trump won the state in by almost 6 percentage points<\/a>, while now-Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Democrat, won the state\u2019s Senate race by over 2 percentage points<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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12h ago \/ 7:48 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Cornyn says he\u2019ll support Paxton in November: \u2018I trust the voters of Texas\u2019<\/h2>\n
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Cornyn conceded his primary runoff race last night with a brief speech to reporters in Austin, where he pledged to support Paxton in the general election in November.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve spent most of my time in the Senate building, the Republican Party in Texas and in the U.S. Senate, and I\u2019ve always supported the Republican ticket, and I intend to do so again this general election,\u201d Cornyn said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve said throughout this race that I trust the voters of Texas, and they\u2019ve made their decision, and I must respect it,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Cornyn, who was first elected to the Senate in 2002, spoke briefly about the work he did in Washington, including working to pass \u201ca number of historic tax reform bills\u201d and helping confirm conservative judges.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a simple rule in elections \u2014 you\u2019ve heard me say it before \u2014 and that is the candidate who gets the most votes wins,\u201d Cornyn said. \u201cThe party in the majority gets to govern, and my hope is to keep my party in power for generations. I am an optimist by nature, which is just another way of saying I am a Texan.\u201d<\/p>\n

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= 1000px) and (min-resolution: 2dppx)”>= 1000px) and (resolution < 2dppx)\">\"Cornyn<\/picture><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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12h ago \/ 7:41 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Paxton delivers victory speech after winning Texas GOP Senate runoff<\/h2>\n
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Paxton gave celebratory remarks last night after decisively defeating incumbent Cornyn in their Republican primary runoff. <\/p>\n

Paxton will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in November.<\/p>\n

Paxton thanked his family, campaign staff and, above all, the president for his endorsement, calling it \u201cthe most powerful force in politics.\u201d He also took a moment to acknowledge Cornyn\u2019s years of service to the state. <\/p>\n

\u201cTonight we sent a Texas-sized message to Washington,\u201d Paxton declared.<\/p>\n

Paxton then pivoted to attacking his general election opponent, whom he described as \u201cthe most extreme radical the Democrats have ever nominated.\u201d He referred to Talarico by a string of mocking nicknames \u2014 \u201cTofu Talarico,\u201d \u201cSix-gender Jimmy.\u201d \u201cJames Tala-freako\u201d \u2014 while hammering him on positions related to gender-affirming care, immigration, energy and religion.<\/p>\n

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The state attorney general leaned on his record of suing major tech companies and big pharma, touted his role in establishing what he called the country\u2019s first de-transition clinic at Texas Children\u2019s Hospital, and vowed to support Trump\u2019s America First agenda by confirming constitutionalist judges and passing the Save America Act, an elections overhaul bill, in the Senate.<\/p>\n

Paxton warned that Texas would be \u201cthe radical left\u2019s No. 1 priority\u201d this fall, but declared, \u201cWe are not going to let them take it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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12h ago \/ 7:37 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Democrat Johnny Garcia wins Texas House primary after rival\u2019s antisemitic comments drew national rebukes <\/h2>\n
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Democrat Johnny Garcia won his party\u2019s primary in Texas\u2019 35th Congressional District yesterday, NBC News projects, defeating a rival whom party leaders had condemned for antisemitic comments as Democrats look to compete in a district Republicans redrew to their benefit.<\/p>\n

The district stretches from Austin to San Antonio, the result of Republican efforts to combine two Democratic seats into one and create a new district leaning their way. Trump carried the district by about 10.5 points in 2024.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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12h ago \/ 7:23 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Rep. Julie Johnson unseated in Texas Democratic primary by predecessor Colin Allred <\/h2>\n
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Former Rep. Colin Allred has unseated Rep. Julie Johnson in a Democratic primary runoff, NBC News projects, after he dropped out of the Senate race last year and made a run for a House seat reshaped by redistricting.<\/p>\n

The primary in the deep blue 33rd District in the Dallas area grew competitive after Allred left the Senate race in deference to Rep. Jasmine Crockett, instead opting to run for the House.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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13h ago \/ 6:56 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Democratic Rep. Al Green unseated by Rep. Christian Menefee in Texas primary with two incumbents <\/h2>\n
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Freshman Rep. Christian Menefee defeated longtime Rep. Al Green in the Democratic primary runoff in Texas\u2019 18th Congressional District yesterday, NBC News projects, after a rare incumbent-on-incumbent matchup sparked by Republican-led redistricting efforts.<\/p>\n

The redrawing of the state\u2019s political map pitted one of the newest members of the House Democratic caucus against one of the longer-serving incumbents in the chamber. Menefee got 46% of the primary vote to Green\u2019s 44% in the first round March 3, pushing the race to a runoff since neither got a majority.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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13h ago \/ 6:56 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Ken Paxton defeats GOP Sen. John Cornyn in Texas primary runoff<\/h2>\n
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated Sen. John Cornyn<\/a> for the Republican Senate nomination yesterday, NBC News projects, the latest challenger backed by Trump to unseat an incumbent.<\/p>\n

Paxton will face Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in a November race that could become key to the fight for the Senate majority.<\/p>\n

Trump endorsed Paxton last week<\/a>, giving him a last-minute boost in his bid to oust Cornyn, who has been in the Senate since 2003. Cornyn and Paxton faced off yesterday in a head-to-head runoff after no candidate won more than 50% of the vote in the initial multicandidate March primary.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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13h ago \/ 6:56 AM EDT<\/p>\n

Cabinet meeting to be held at White House instead of Camp David, Trump says<\/h2>\n
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President Donald Trump is holding a Cabinet meeting today at the White House rather than Camp David, Maryland, as had been planned<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Trump cited \u201cpossible bad weather conditions\u201d as the reason for the switch in a post yesterday on Truth Social<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The gathering of top administration officials is the president’s 11th announced Cabinet meeting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2m ago \/ 7:15 PM EDT First on NBC News: Sen. Ruben Gallego creates legal defense fund to respond to \u2018right-wing conspiracy theorists\u2019 Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., has set up a legal defense fund to respond to ethics complaints that his office calls conspiracy theories from critics like Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla. It is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13215,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13214","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\/13214","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=13214"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13214\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13214"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpinitiate.com\/echo-test\/demo973e36f5\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}