Five major takeaways from the long-awaited Make America Healthy Again Commission report, via @mathurashton.bsky.social www.usnews.com/news/health-...

#Sourcerequest: Working on a story looking at how Medicaid cuts + FY26 request’s cuts to HIV/AIDS prevention will impact access to treatment. If you or someone you know is worried about losing access, please feel free to send a DM or shoot me an email!

When we’re in a tarrifpocalypse, you need the midday must-read by @mathurashton.bsky.social If you don’t get it, you won’t get it. www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

The House narrowly managed to pass their budget plan last night. But R’s still have to contend with several issues, like the fallout from steep cuts to Medicaid, before it’s a done deal. Here’s what comes next for @usnews.com www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

For a new series with @usnews.com, I sat down with Rep. Clyburn to talk about Trump’s first few weeks in office, the 2026 midterms and his return to the House Appropriations Committee www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

The Senate just voted 51-49 to confirm Kash Patel as the next FBI director. Here’s what you need to know about his new role and what you can expect from him for @therealusnews.bsky.social www.usnews.com/news/politic...

Linda McMahon vowed to "reorient" the DoE and said defunding it isn't the goal. But President Trump said on Wednesday he is working on an EO to gut it. Three key takeaways from her confirmation hearing: www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed today as DNI director after a chaotic and lengthy nomination process. Here's what you need to know about her new role and what to expect from her. www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

Gabbard confirmed as DNI director 52-48, with Sen. Mitch McConnell joining Dems in voting no

USAID lettering is off and seal is covered:

DJT announced Nippon Steel will drop its acquisition of US Steel in favor of an investment at a joint press conference w/ Japanese PM. Also announced were reciprocal tariffs and an increase in Japan's investment in the U.S. For @therealusnews.bsky.social www.usnews.com/news/politic...

‘Pathetic and Disgusting’: Democratic analysts are slamming the response from leadership to Trump 2.0, saying it’s coming too late and that it may not be enough. For @therealusnews.bsky.social www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

Tulsi Gabbard's DNI Secretary nom is favorably reported out of the Senate Intel Committee in a vote of 9-8 along party lines

RFK Jr will now face a floor vote after the Senate Finance Committee voted 14-13 to advance his nom for HHS secretary. For @therealusnews.bsky.social www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

Both the USAID website + Twitter handle have gone dark within hours of each other today amid rumors it will be dissolved

Questions over Edward Snowden and former Syrian strongman Bashar al Assad dominated Tulsi Gabbard’s public confirmation hearing on Thursday. Gabbard cannot afford to lose a single R vote in her bid for DNI. www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

Kash Patel’s loyalty to DJT, peddling of falsehoods, and past comments blasting the FBI are expected to take center stage at his confirmation hearing tomorrow. His will be the second in this week’s set of contentious hearings. www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

Tomorrow kicks off yet another week of Senate confirmation hearings. Here’s the lineup:

A review by @therealusnews.bsky.social shows resources for LGBTQ+ students have disappeared from the DOE + EEOC websites. They are the latest agencies to have parts of their sites go dark by the Trump admin. By me & @jjw.bsky.social www.usnews.com/news/educati...

Unlike the majority of Trump’s cabinet picks, RFK Jr is still languishing with no scheduled hearing in sight. Here’s a look at what’s stalling his nomination and his path forward.  www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

Trump signed a flurry of executive orders overhauling the immigration system, rolling back DEI programs and boosting the economy on his first day. A look at his most contentious orders www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

Senate confirmation hearings on deck for this week:

List of EO’s and actions just signed at DC rally: - Rescind 78 Biden admin executive policies - Regulatory freeze - Freeze on hiring until “full control” of gov - Federal workers RTO 5 days - Cost of living EO

Billionaires and foreign leaders got top billing at DJT's inauguration while lawmakers and cabinet members got pushed into back rows and overflow rooms. A look at who attended, who didn't and where they were www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

A very interesting invite list, via @mathurashton.bsky.social

AG nom Pam Bondi sought to assure senators that her allegiance to DJT will not pose a threat to her ability to run the DOJ. A look at the three biggest themes from D1 for @therealusnews.bsky.social www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

Senate confirmation hearings on deck for this week:

Trump's hold over Senate R's will face its first test this week as a dozen of his cabinet picks face nomination hearings. Here's what to know about who is up this week and what will happen for @therealusnews.bsky.social www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

Speaker Johnson is fighting for his political life again and this time could be the last. Despite getting DJT’s endorsement, dwindling R support is still hampering his chances.    For @therealusnews.bsky.social www.usnews.com/news/nationa...

For decades, thousands of Syrians disappeared into Assad’s prisons where they were subjected to horrific abuse. I spoke with a survivor and a rescue worker who entered Sednaya this week to understand how bad the last 24 years were. For @therealusnews.bsky.social

From ophthalmologist to brutal dictator: a look at the rise and fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. For @therealusnews.bsky.social

Russia is renewing fears it’s prepared to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine after launching a new nuclear-capable hypersonic missile. Here’s what you need to know about the attack, the missile, and how the West is responding.

The ICC issued its long-awaited arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a senior Hamas official. My updated explainer on the court and its case:

Here's a helpful list of journalists on BlueSky who've been featured on Your First Byline go.bsky.app/UudLXJK

DJT's decision to bypass FBI background checks for some cabinet noms is concerning many in the legal and national security field. I spoke with former federal attorney Barbara McQuade to understand what the process actually looks like and if they are important.

DJT’s decision to nominate FL Rep. Matt Gaetz is ruffling some serious feathers in Washington. Many lawmakers are already expressing doubt, pointing to the House Ethics Committee’s probe and potential report. Here’s what you need to know:

With a 218-208 majority, GOP retains control of House and completes trifecta in DC

New Senate Leadership coming in Jan: Majority Leader: John Thune Whip: John Barrasso Conference Chair: Tom Cotton Policy Committee Chair: Shelly Moore Capito Conference Vice Chair: James Lankford NRSC Chair: Tim Scott

👋🏽 Hello new followers and #bluesky !👋🏽 I’m U.S. News and World Report’s Congress reporter covering what goes on in both chambers. I also cover national politics and foreign news. I’ve covered two presidential elections, way too many House/Senate races, and a lot of federal legal cases.

Georgia’s Supreme Court Monday unanimously rejected DJT’s request to disqualify Fulton County DA Fani Willis and to quash a grand jury report. For @TheMessenger

The DOJ filed several appeals Wed night challenging the length of the prison sentences for 8 Oath Keepers, including founder Stewart Rhodes. The appeals signal the DOJ is not satisfied with the sentences handed down by Judge Mehta. For @themessenger.com