latest news in politics
Epstein Files Review Triggers Shocking Warnings and Reputational Risks
Washington D.C., Saturday, 14 February 2026.
While Nancy Mace warns of “shocking” high-profile figures in unredacted Epstein files, the DOJ reveals four men named by Ro Khanna were actually innocent individuals in a police lineup.
President Trump Honors Special Forces at Fort Bragg for Capture of Venezuelan Leader
Fayetteville, Friday, 13 February 2026.
On Friday, February 13, 2026, President Donald Trump and the First Lady are visiting Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to formally recognize the U.S. Special Forces units responsible for the high-profile capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this year. This visit highlights a significant geopolitical pivot, as the administration leverages this military success to implement the “Donroe Doctrine,” facilitating the entry of U.S. oil companies into Venezuela to rebuild its energy infrastructure. However, this projection of international strength contrasts sharply with domestic fiscal turbulence; the President’s visit occurs just hours before a potential Department of Homeland Security shutdown, triggered by a Senate stalemate over immigration reform funding due at midnight Saturday.
Mayors Mamdani and Frey Align on Urban Safety Strategies as Federal Operations Shift
New York, Friday, 13 February 2026.
Amidst the conclusion of a deadly federal enforcement surge in Minneapolis, Mayors Mamdani and Frey convened in New York to solidify a coalition protecting immigrant communities and urban stability.
Trump Administration Unveils Strategy to Revitalize American Shipbuilding Through Foreign Vessel Fees
Washington D.C., Saturday, 14 February 2026.
The White House proposes revitalizing domestic shipyards via levies on foreign vessels, a move projected to generate up to $1.5 trillion for a new Maritime Security Trust Fund.
EPA Revokes Key Scientific Finding, Ending Federal Power to Regulate Climate Emissions
Washington, Thursday, 12 February 2026.
On February 12, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency formally repealed the 2009 Endangerment Finding, fundamentally altering the U.S. regulatory landscape. This action erases the legal prerequisite for regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, effectively dismantling the federal government’s authority to impose emissions standards on vehicles and power plants. Administrator Lee Zeldin characterized the move as the most significant deregulatory action in American history, intended to decouple the energy sector from climate mandates. However, analysts warn that removing this scientific bedrock creates immediate volatility for solar and wind investments and guarantees a protracted legal battle, as environmental groups seek to restore the finding before the Supreme Court.
Trump Administration Ends Controversial Minnesota Immigration Surge to Pivot Resources
Minneapolis, Thursday, 12 February 2026.
After a polarizing campaign yielding over 3,000 arrests and two civilian fatalities, federal authorities are terminating Minnesota’s Operation Metro Surge to redeploy resources toward border enforcement.
Trump Reverses Blanket Ban on Democratic Governors but Bars Leaders of Maryland and Colorado
Washington D.C., Thursday, 12 February 2026.
President Trump reversed a blanket ban on Democratic governors for the upcoming White House summit but explicitly excluded Maryland and Colorado’s leaders, citing specific political and personal grievances.
New York Coalition Challenges State Fiscal Policy with Aggressive Tax Proposals for Corporations and Wealthy Residents
Albany, Thursday, 12 February 2026.
On February 5, 2026, a coalition of activists and elected officials convened in Albany to promote the “Invest in Our New York” legislative package, signaling a deepening rift regarding state fiscal strategy. Despite Governor Kathy Hochul’s firm opposition to new levies, proponents—including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani—argue that increasing taxes on high-net-worth individuals and major corporations is essential to offset looming federal budget cuts affecting healthcare and childcare. Intriguingly, while New York City recently revised its projected two-year deficit down from $12 billion to $7 billion due to robust Wall Street bonuses, leadership insists that sustainable revenue requires structural tax reform rather than reliance on volatile economic fluctuations. With polling indicating that 78% of New Yorkers favor increased taxation on the wealthy, this legislative push highlights a critical debate over long-term economic stability versus short-term fiscal conservation.