A dangerous winter storm has prompted President Donald Trump’s swearing-in ceremony to be moved indoors.
Brutal cold and ferocious winds are forecast for the D.C. region on Monday, with temperatures expected to hover just over 20 degrees, the Washington Post reported.
The Inaugural Committee has yet to comment on the move.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Fox News host Lara Trump suggested on Tuesday that “many” members of the Trump family could eventually pursue political office, hinting that the political ambitions of President Donald Trump’s relatives may extend beyond his own career. Her comments came during an appearance on Miranda Devine’s Pod Force One podcast.
Reflecting on her father-in-law’s influence, Lara Trump said, “I have looked at my father-in-law over the past eleven, almost twelve years now, and I’ve watched the impact that he’s been able to make in people’s lives and it’s amazing. Look, he’s dealt with hell, right? He has gone through so much.” She added that watching Trump’s persistence has inspired “everyone in our family” and left open the possibility that more Trumps could enter electoral politics:
“…I’d consider running for a possible Senate seat. So I would never say never to anything. What I do feel like, and whether it’s for Donald Trump running… or a Senate run, or whatever it might be for me or I think anyone in our family, I think the timing has to be right…”
Lara Trump noted that timing thwarted her own past efforts, pointing to earlier years when a run “didn’t work out” — a reference to when she considered but ultimately declined Senate bids in 2022 and again in 2025.
Turning to the question of broader family ambitions, she said, “we’ve all kind of dipped our toe in the water of politics enough to know that it’s something that I think possibly interests many of us in our family…” before acknowledging that Democrats “would love to hear that it may not end just with Donald Trump.”
When asked whether former President Trump encourages potential family runs, Lara Trump replied that he has been “absolutely a champion” of her own political endeavors, calling her regularly with names of supporters urging her to run. She added that Trump “certainly would have their backs” if any of the family chose to seek office.
Devine closed the discussion by musing that the future might bring a “President Trump of the new generation,” perhaps from among “all three” of Trump’s children or close relatives.
Lara Trump’s comments tap into ongoing speculation that the Trump family might try to extend its influence beyond Donald Trump’s own career:
• Lara Trump and the North Carolina Senate:
Before deciding not to run, Lara Trump was widely viewed as a potential Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina after Senator Thom Tillis announced his retirement, drawing substantial interest from GOP leaders and national strategists. Georgia Republicans had even paused their own campaigns pending her decision. However, she ultimately chose not to enter the race, and former RNC Chair Michael Whatley has since picked up key endorsements from Donald Trump and Lara for the seat.
• Other Trump family members:
There has also been public conversation about other Trump relatives entering politics. Eric Trump, the president’s second son, spoke in mid-2025 about the possibility that he — or other family members — could seek public office in the future, suggesting a “Trump political dynasty” might emerge beyond Donald Trump’s own presidency. Eric said a political career for the family “would be an easy one” if the relatives were willing to commit, though no formal campaigns have been launched.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr. has maintained a high public profile through media and podcasting, and Ivanka Trump served as a senior adviser during her father’s earlier presidency, though she has since stepped back from active politics. Other younger family members, like Tiffany Trump and Barron Trump, have been less involved publicly, and there is no indication they have declared political intentions
President Donald Trump announced the United States will soon drop sanctions against Syria.
During lengthy remarks on Tuesday, Trump laid out his vision for the Middle East, sharing a major announcement: He intends to drop sanctions against Syria.
“I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria in order to give them a chance at greatness,” Trump said in a speech in Saudi Arabia, his first stop on the first international tour of his second term in office.
“In Syria, which has seen so much misery and death, there is a new government that we must all hope will succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace,” he said. “So I say good luck, Syria.”
The nation was cut off from the global financial system under ousted President Bashar al-Assad’s government, imposed during 14 years of civil war.
Trump called the sanctions “brutal and crippling” but “important” at the time.
Trump said both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Erdoğan had encouraged him to lift the sanctions.
“Oh, what I do for the crown prince,” Trump quipped.
U.S. sanctions had slapped financial penalties on any foreign individual or company that provided material support to the Syrian government and prohibited anyone in the U.S. from dealing in any Syrian entity, including oil and gas, and Syrian banks were effectively cut off from global financial systems.
Trump also revealed he has invited Saudi Arabia to join his historic Abraham Accords.
“It has been an amazing thing, the Abraham Accords,” Trump said at a Saudi Arabia investment conference. “And it’s my fervent hope, wish, and even my dream that Saudi Arabia, a place I have so much respect for … will soon be joining the Abraham Accords. I think it will be a tremendous tribute to your country.”
Trump negotiated the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, at the end of his first term in office. Now, he is hoping to see Saudi Arabia join it as well.
During lengthy remarks, Trump laid out his vision for the Middle East. Minutes later, he made a second major announcement: He intends to drop sanctions against Syria.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is not keeping silent after he was processed by Arizona authorities on Monday.
Giuliani, who also served as Donald Trump’s personal attorney, was indicted in Arizona in connection with a fake electors scheme in which pro-Trump electors attested to the former president’s victory in the state.
See the mugshot below:
“You are now looking at the latest mugshot of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani,” Kaitlan Collins said on Monday’s edition of The Source on CNN as his mugshot appeared on screen. “He wasn’t processed by Arizona authorities until today. That’s why you’re seeing this photo now. And here’s what he said after he posted the $10,000 and bond.”
Collins then aired a clip of a KPNX Phoenix reporter catching up with Giuliani emerging from the police station where he had just been processed. However, instead of keeping his head down Giuliani directly addressed reporters.
REPORTER: Do you have any regrets about what you did in Arizona after the election?
GIULIANI: Oh my goodness, no.
REPORTER: Why not?
GIULIANI: I’m very, very proud of it. There was a substantial amount of vote fraud that went on here that was covered up. Probably one of the biggest conspiracies in American history.
In a statement to Mediaite, a representative for Giuliani alleged the justice system is being “weaponized” against the former mayor and other Trump allies to influence the 2024 presidential election.
“This is yet another example of partisan actors weaponizing the criminal justice system to interfere with the 2024 presidential election through outlandish charges against President Trump and anyone willing to take on the permanent Washington political class,” Ted Goodman said. “Joe Biden and his allies continue to eviscerate the trust and integrity of our criminal justice system in their quest to take down President Trump and hold on to power. Mayor Rudy Giuliani—the most effective federal prosecutor in U.S. history—will be fully vindicated.”
Giuliani has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, fraud, and forgery charges.
Vanessa Trump is moving forward with optimism as she continues her battle with breast cancer.
The former wife of Donald Trump Jr. shared a heartfelt update with supporters Saturday, revealing that she has spent the past several weeks recovering from surgery and is preparing to begin the next phase of her treatment.
“I wanted to share an update on my cancer journey,” Trump wrote in an Instagram post. “Over the past four weeks, I’ve been recovering from surgery and I’m grateful to be healing and moving forward. Soon, I’ll be starting the second stage of my treatment. Sending love, strength, and hope to everyone fighting this battle.”
Vanessa first revealed her diagnosis publicly on May 20, telling followers that she was focused on her health and recovery while surrounded by loved ones. At the time, she briefly referenced an upcoming medical procedure but chose not to disclose many details about her treatment plan.
In Saturday’s update, Trump did not elaborate on the surgery or the next stage of treatment. Instead, she emphasized gratitude and the support system helping her through the difficult journey.
“I am staying focused and hopeful while surrounded by the love and support of my family, my kids, and those closest to me,” she previously wrote, adding, “I kindly ask for privacy as I focus on my health and recovery.”
The update prompted an outpouring of support from friends, family members, and followers. Ivanka Trump publicly shared her encouragement, writing, “Praying for your continued strength and a swift recovery. Love you mama.”
Vanessa and Donald Trump Jr. were married for more than a decade and share five children together: Kai, Donald III, Tristan, Spencer, and Chloe. Though the couple divorced in 2018, they have remained committed co-parents, frequently appearing together at family milestones and supporting their children’s activities.
The latest health update comes during a busy season for the extended Trump family. Just weeks ago, Donald Trump Jr. married Bettina Anderson during a ceremony in the Bahamas over Memorial Day weekend, bringing together family and friends for the celebration.
Meanwhile, Vanessa’s relationship with golf icon Tiger Woods has also drawn public attention in recent months. The pair have largely kept their romance private, though reports have suggested Woods has remained supportive as Vanessa navigates treatment and recovery.
For now, Vanessa appears focused on her health, her family, and the road ahead — while continuing to receive support from those closest to her as she begins the next chapter of treatment.
A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing a key part of President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at tightening oversight of mail-in voting, handing the administration another legal setback as it pushes election integrity reforms ahead of the 2026 midterms.
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled that the Postal Service cannot implement a proposed rule that would have required states to provide voter lists to the federal government before USPS would deliver mail-in ballots.
The nationwide injunction expands on a separate ruling issued last week by a federal judge in Massachusetts that blocked the policy in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Sullivan’s order now prevents the Postal Service from enforcing the rule anywhere in the country.
Trump’s executive order directed the Postal Service to transmit mail-in ballots only if states first certified lists of eligible mail voters and complied with other federal requirements designed to strengthen election security.
Sullivan concluded that the Postal Service’s proposed rule conflicts with a 2021 settlement agreement reached after litigation brought by the NAACP over mail delivery during the 2020 election.
“The Proposed Rule violates paragraph 2 of the Agreement because the Postal Service cannot post documents reflecting ‘practices and policies for prioritizing the monitoring and timely delivery of Election Mail’ if its policies provide that it will not accept ‘noncompliant mailing’ and therefore will not deliver mail-in or absentee ballots to some voters,” Sullivan wrote in his opinion.
The judge found that refusing to transport ballots from states that declined to provide voter lists would violate the Postal Service’s obligations under that settlement, which remains in effect through 2028.
The ruling marks the latest judicial obstacle facing the administration’s broader election integrity agenda.
Last week, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani blocked separate portions of Trump’s March executive order, ruling that the administration could not move forward with plans to create a federal list of eligible voters or direct the Postal Service to enforce new nationwide mail-ballot eligibility standards in the states that challenged the order. Talwani wrote that the Constitution leaves voter eligibility and election administration primarily to the states, not the executive branch.
The Trump administration has argued the measures are intended to restore public confidence in elections by ensuring only eligible voters receive mail ballots.
“President Trump is committed to ensuring that Americans have full confidence in the administration of our elections,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson previously told Fox News Digital. “The President’s executive order lawfully protects our elections, and we are confident that we will ultimately prevail in its implementation.”
The administration’s proposal gained renewed attention after Postmaster General David Steiner testified that the Postal Service planned to refuse delivery of mail ballots from states that failed to provide the required voter information if the rule took effect.
Supporters of the executive order argue it is part of Trump’s longstanding effort to strengthen election safeguards following years of concerns about mail voting and voter roll accuracy. Opponents contend the federal government lacks authority to impose such requirements on states and have argued the proposal could interfere with established election procedures.
The Justice Department is expected to appeal the rulings as the administration continues defending the president’s election executive order in federal court.
Retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a former National Security Council official best known for his role in President Donald Trump’s first impeachment, announced Tuesday that he is entering Florida’s 2026 U.S. Senate race as a Democrat, challenging Republican Sen. Ashley Moody.
Vindman rose to national prominence in 2019 after testifying against President Trump over a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky—testimony that became central to Democrats’ first impeachment effort. That impeachment ultimately failed, with the Senate acquitting Trump in a 52–48 vote largely along party lines.
In his campaign launch video, Vindman leaned heavily on footage from the impeachment proceedings, framing his candidacy as an extension of his opposition to Trump. “The last time you saw me was here,” Vindman said, referring to the impeachment hearing. “Swearing an oath to tell the truth about a president who broke his.”
Vindman went on to describe Trump as a “wannabe tyrant” and claimed the former president unleashed a “reign of terror and retribution” against him and his family—language that underscores how central anti-Trump activism is likely to be to his campaign pitch.
A political newcomer with no prior electoral experience, Vindman faces steep odds in Florida, a state that has moved decisively to the right in recent election cycles. Trump carried the Sunshine State by 13 points in November 2024, and Republicans currently hold every statewide elected office. Florida has not elected a Democratic senator since Bill Nelson’s narrow reelection victory in 2012.
Vindman, an Iraq War veteran, retired from the Army in 2020 after a decades-long military career. He later filed a lawsuit against Trump and several former aides, alleging “intimidation and retaliation,” but the suit was unsuccessful. His wife, Rachel Vindman, publicly criticized former President Joe Biden for declining to issue pardons to the couple at the end of his term.
“Whatever happens to my family, know this: No pardons were offered or discussed,” Rachel Vindman wrote in a post on Bluesky. She added that she “cannot begin to describe the level of betrayal and hurt” she felt toward the Biden administration.
Sen. Ashley Moody, a Republican and former Florida attorney general, was appointed to the Senate by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the seat vacated by Marco Rubio after Rubio became secretary of state. Moody is running for reelection with the backing of President Trump and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, giving her a significant institutional and fundraising advantage.
The Cook Political Report currently rates the race as “solid Republican,” its strongest rating for GOP-held seats—reflecting Florida’s recent political realignment and Democrats’ continued struggles to remain competitive statewide.
The 2026 contest is a special election to serve the final two years of Rubio’s term. The winner will need to run again in 2028 to secure a full six-year term.
Vindman has lived in Broward County since 2023, a Democratic stronghold in South Florida. His twin brother, Eugene Vindman, represents a safely Democratic House district in northern Virginia, further highlighting the family’s close ties to Democratic politics.
Nationally, Democrats face a difficult map in 2026 as they attempt a longshot effort to retake control of the Senate. To do so, they would need to defend vulnerable seats in states like Michigan and Georgia while flipping at least four Republican-held seats—an outcome most analysts consider unlikely.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) introduced a bill Tuesday seeking to add President Trump’s face to the Mount Rushmore monument.
“His remarkable accomplishments for our country and the success he will continue to deliver deserve the highest recognition and honor on this iconic national monument,” Luna wrote in a Tuesday post on the social platform X.
“Let’s get carving!”
The Interior Department would be in charge of undertaking Trump’s addition to the South Dakota landmark if approved by Congress.
“Mount Rushmore, a timeless symbol of our nation’s freedom and strength, deserves to reflect his towering legacy—a legacy further solidified by the powerful start to his second term,” Luna shared in a separate statement.
“He will be forever remembered among the great like Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.”
Luna is not the first person to float the idea. Fox News contributors this week suggested adding Trump’s face to Mount Rushmore to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding, which is set for 2026.
“If you did, like, the 250th anniversary of the country at Mount Rushmore with President Trump’s face, it would be epic,” Kayleigh McEnany, Trump’s former press secretary, said this week on Fox News Channel’s “Outnumbered.”
In a pivotal decision on Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that voters whose mail-in ballots were rejected due to errors—including missing signatures, incorrect dates or absence of a required secrecy envelope—can still cast their vote on Election Day. The 4-3 decision ensures that these individuals are allowed to submit provisional ballots at their local polling places, provided no additional disqualifying issues arise.
The ruling originated from a case in Butler County, where two voters were denied the opportunity to vote provisionally after their mail-in ballots were rejected during the April primary for missing secrecy envelopes. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania and the Public Interest Law Center represented the voters, arguing that the county had misinterpreted the state’s Election Code.
Per Spotlight PA:
Justice Christine Donohue, writing for the majority, noted that the Republican litigants argued that in order to maintain election integrity, provisional ballots should not be counted, but said the majority was “at a loss to identify what honest voting principle is violated by recognizing the validity of one ballot cast by one voter.”
“If appellants presume that the general assembly intended to disqualify the provisional ballot of a voter who failed to effectively vote by mail in order to punish that voter, we caution that such a construction is not reconcilable with the right of franchise,” she wrote.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania and the Public Interest Law Center, which brought the case on behalf of two voters, celebrated the ruling as a victory.
“Today’s decision affirms that if you make a paperwork mistake that will keep your mail ballot from counting, you have the right to vote by provisional ballot at your polling place on Election Day,” said Ben Geffen, senior attorney at the Public Interest Law Center. “This reinforces the right to vote in Pennsylvania.”
This decision holds broad implications for voters across Pennsylvania, offering a contentious solution for those facing similar issues in future elections. However, there was notable dissent, including from Justice P. Kevin Brobson, who contended that the state’s Election Code explicitly prohibits counting such provisional ballots.
The ruling comes as Pennsylvania takes center stage in the 2024 election. Polls suggest a highly competitive race, with the latest RealClearPolitics average showing former President Donald Trump holding a slight 0.6-point lead over Vice President Kamala Harris.
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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) said he would block pardoned Capitol insurrectionists from serving in local government positions, citing a state law ordinance, according to a Thursday letter obtained by The Hill.
“The State’s Personnel Code, administered by the Department of Central Management Services (CMS) and by you as its Director, requires the rejection of candidates for State employment who have engaged in infamous or disgraceful conduct (20 ILCS 415/8b.4),” Pritzker wrote to Raven A. DeVaughn, director of the state’s CMS.
“To protect the integrity of our workforce and safety of our State, I hereby direct CMS to apply the State Personnel Code and consider any participation in the January 6 insurrection as infamous and disgraceful conduct that is antithetical to the mission of the State.”
Earlier in the directive, Pritzker outlined the actions of Jan. 6 rioters who stormed the Capitol four years ago.
“These rioters were accused or convicted of a combination of felonies and misdemeanors, including but not limited to: violence against law enforcement officers, threats against Members of Congress, destruction of federal property, and many other crimes. These crimes attacks threatened public safety as Members of Congress, staff, and other workers who were forced to hide from the violence for hours,” he detailed.
“I am committed to building a State workforce that upholds our shared values and delivers results for the people of Illinois. Our State workforce must reflect the values of Illinois and demonstrate honesty, integrity, and loyalty to serving the taxpayers,” he added.
“No one who attempts to overthrow a government should serve in government,” he concluded.
President Trump signed an executive order after his inauguration granting pardons to more than 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot. He also announced several commutations for those who committed violent acts during the event. (RELATED: Trump Pardons Capitol Riot Participants)
The president has defended his decision to free the rioters.
“These people have already served years in prison, and they’ve served them viciously. It’s a disgusting prison. It’s horrible. It’s been inhumane,” Trump told reporters, claiming the American public sided with his choice.
