Politics

NPR reports: The director of the U.S. Census Bureau, Robert Santos, announced Thursday he is resigning, giving President Trump an early opportunity to nominate a new political appointee to lead the agency. The decision by Santos, who started as the bureau’s director in 2022, cuts short a five-year appointment during key preparations for the 2030 census. The next constitutionally required …

Axios reports: Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is “taking a serious look” at running for the Michigan senate seat left open by the surprise retirement of Sen. Gary Peters, Axios has learned. Buttigieg would bring his national fundraising network to what is expected to be one of the most expensive Senate races in the country. “Pete is exploring all of …

The Detroit News reports: Gary Peters, Michigan’s senior senator and a former congressman, said he won’t seek reelection next year and will retire from the U.S. Senate when his second term ends in January 2027. In an exclusive interview, the Bloomfield Township Democrat told The Detroit News that he is ready to leave public office in two years and move …

Nexstar reports: From daylight saving time to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, there are various aspects of the federal government that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its head, Elon Musk, have targeted in order to cut spending. Now, it seems to have a new prey: the penny. The latest report from the U.S. Mint shows that pennies accounted …

Reuters reports: TikTok users who once saw the app as a haven for free speech say they see signs of censorship after the platform, which is owned by China’s ByteDance, was revived by an executive order from President Donald Trump.  Content creator Pat Loller, 36, said a satirical video he created in response to billionaire Elon Musk’s hand gesture at …

Politico reports: Speaker Mike Johnson on Saturday extended an invitation for President Donald Trump to address a joint session of Congress on March 4, the first in Trump’s second presidency. In a letter to the president, Johnson invited Trump to “share your America First vision for our legislative future,” thanking him for his “strong leadership and bold action” in the …

The Tallahassee Democrat reports: Florida voters have used the citizens’ initiative process in recent years to usher in medical marijuana, a higher minimum wage and voting rights for those previously convicted of felonies. But their ability to advance future changes wanted by most voters yet opposed or disregarded by state lawmakers could soon be eliminated — if Gov. Ron DeSantis …

Politico Magazine reports: Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, plans to rain economic punishment on Americans if President Donald Trump targets Canada in a trade war. Ford has threatened to cut power transmission to U.S. homes and businesses and banish U.S. liquor from Ontario shelves. Wearing a MAGA-like hat reading “Canada Is Not For Sale,” Ford has pledged to target …

Via press release from Sen. Mitch McConnell: “Mere desire to be a ‘change agent’ is not enough to fill these shoes. And ‘dust on boots’ fails even to distinguish this nominee from multiple predecessors of the last decade. Nor is it a precondition for success. Secretaries with distinguished combat experience and time in the trenches have failed at the job. …

CNBC reports: Target on Friday said it’s rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion programs — including some that aim to make its workforce and merchandise better reflect its customers. In a memo sent to its employees, the Minneapolis-based retailer said it will end its three-year DEI goals, stop reports to external diversity-focused groups like the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality …

Fox News reports: A man has been charged with jumping over an outer wall at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida this week. Bijan Arceo, 32, was charged with trespassing with the intent to commit an offense. Palm Beach police officers responded to the club just after 6 p.m. Tuesday to assist Secret Service agents who detained someone on …

The New York Times reports: Republican leaders are plowing ahead with their drive to confirm Mr. Hegseth, as Democrats who have called him unfit to lead the Pentagon work to persuade a handful of G.O.P. senators to join them in opposition. They are pointing to a sworn statement submitted to the Senate on Tuesday by a former sister-in-law of Mr. …

USA Today reports: The Senate on Thursday easily confirmed President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, John Ratcliffe, making him the second key player to join the new Republican administration’s national security and foreign policy team. Ratcliffe, who formerly served as director of national Intelligence in Trump’s first term, won on a 74-25 vote. The Senate confirmed …

“While the allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking do nothing to quiet my concerns, the past behaviors Mr. Hegseth has admitted to, including infidelity on multiple occasions, demonstrate a lack of judgment that is unbecoming of someone who would lead our armed forces. These behaviors starkly contrast the values and discipline expected of servicemembers. Men and women in uniform …

Florida Politics reports: Demand for virtual private network (VPN) services surged in Florida after Pornhub shut down access in the state.  A report by vpnMentor found the interest in VPNs skyrocketed as the internet’s leading pornography publisher publicly punished states over age verification policies. No state witnessed greater enlargement than Florida, where VPN interest jumped by 1,150% after Pornhub started …

Just in via press release: The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) have had long standing and positive relationships with both President Trump and President Biden and have greatly appreciated their support of the policing profession. However, the IACP and FOP are deeply discouraged by the recent pardons and commutations granted by …

The Guardian reports: Donald Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to the United Nations has endorsed Israeli claims of biblical rights to the entire West Bank during a Senate confirmation hearing, aligning herself with positions that could complicate diplomatic efforts in the Middle East. The New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a Republican, was confronted on Tuesday over her backing of a …

Axios reports: A small core of Senate Republicans — including former GOP leader Mitch McConnell — has denounced President Trump’s near-blanket pardon of Jan 6 rioters. McConnell (R-Ky.) told Semafor “no one should excuse violence. And particularly violence against police officers.” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said: “I’ve got concerns with any pardons for people who did any harm to police …

Axios reports: The Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee cleared Kristi Noem to lead Department of Homeland Security with a vote of 13-2. It also approved Russell Vought for director of the Office of Management and Budget 8-7. The Intelligence panel voted 14-3 in favor of John Ratcliffe’s nomination to lead the CIA. Ratcliffe, a Trump loyalist, has faced accusations …

The Meidas Touch reports: Watch the first-ever Puppy and Kitten Inauguration where you will see cute dogs and cats and not the other thing happening today. Support these incredible organizations providing emergency assistance related to the Los Angeles fires for animals and residents: Pasadena Human Society, the Humane Society of the U.S, and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. We’ll …