Saturday, September 12

Donald Trump

Past President Donald Trump in the news

Trump Grants Clemency to 30 People, White House Says
Donald Trump

Trump Grants Clemency to 30 People, White House Says

U.S. President Donald Trump granted clemency to 30 people this week, including Emory Jones, a longtime associate of rapper Jay-Z, as the White House continues its broad use of presidential pardon and commutation powers. The latest Trump clemency actions were announced by White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson on September 5. According to a report by Reuters, Trump took the clemency action on Thursday, according to Johnson, the White House official overseeing the administration's clemency efforts. What Happened Trump granted clemency to 30 people, according to Johnson, who announced the actions in a social media post on Friday. Among the recipients was Emory Jones, who served nearly 16 years in federal prison on drug charges. Jones was released in 2010 after Jay-Z wrote to ...
Trump Renames Lake Ontario “Lake America” Amid Canada Trade War
Donald Trump

Trump Renames Lake Ontario “Lake America” Amid Canada Trade War

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 27, 2026, directing the U.S. government to use Lake America instead of Lake Ontario, escalating tensions with Canada as both countries impose retaliatory tariffs and trade negotiations remain stalled. According to a report by CNBC report, Trump announced the change in the Oval Office and said it would take effect immediately. The executive order directs the U.S. Interior Department to update the Geographic Names Information System to reflect the new U.S. designation. What Happened Trump's decision came after trade talks between Washington and Ottawa broke down following several days of negotiations. The dispute has already produced new tariffs on billions of dollars in goods moving between the United States and Canada. ...
Trump Administration Launches Birth Tourism Task Force, Revokes More Than 600 Visas
Donald Trump

Trump Administration Launches Birth Tourism Task Force, Revokes More Than 600 Visas

The Trump administration has launched a Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force and revoked more than 600 visas as the United States intensifies efforts to stop foreign nationals from using temporary visas to enter the country for the purpose of giving birth and securing U.S. citizenship for their children. According to a report by BBC, the U.S. Department of State said the task force will work with the Department of Homeland Security to identify suspected birth tourism, revoke visas and target networks that facilitate the practice. What Happened The State Department said the new task force will review the activities of visa holders around the world and use information shared across federal agencies to identify cases involving birth tourism. The department said the initiative is in...
Todd Blanche Narrowly Confirmed as Trump’s Attorney General
Donald Trump

Todd Blanche Narrowly Confirmed as Trump’s Attorney General

Todd Blanche has been confirmed as U.S. attorney general after the Senate approved his nomination in a narrow 50-49 overnight vote, giving President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer permanent control of the Justice Department. According to a report by PBS NewsHour, the confirmation followed a contentious battle in which several Republican senators questioned Blanche’s independence and his handling of a controversial settlement involving Trump and the Internal Revenue Service. What Happened The Republican-led Senate confirmed Blanche early Saturday morning after weeks of uncertainty surrounding his nomination. The 50-49 vote came after Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana announced his support on Friday, effectively clearing the final hurdle for Blanche. Republican Sen...
President Trump Hosts Historic Cabinet Meeting at Camp David
Donald Trump

President Trump Hosts Historic Cabinet Meeting at Camp David

President Donald Trump convened the first live televised Cabinet meeting ever held at Camp David, using the historic gathering to highlight his administration’s accomplishments on the economy, border security, national defense, healthcare, and foreign policy. Senior Cabinet officials also outlined progress on anti-fraud efforts, military modernization, prescription drug costs, and economic initiatives during the meeting. According to a report by The White House, the meeting marked the first televised Cabinet session from the presidential retreat and served as an update on the administration’s policy agenda after nearly 18 months in office. What Happened? President Trump opened the Cabinet meeting by highlighting what he described as major improvements in border security, crime red...
Trump AI Executive Order Nears Aug. 1 Deadline as Debate Over AI Regulation Intensifies
Donald Trump

Trump AI Executive Order Nears Aug. 1 Deadline as Debate Over AI Regulation Intensifies

The Trump AI executive order is approaching a critical implementation deadline, with federal agencies expected to unveil a regulatory framework by Aug. 1 that could shape how advanced artificial intelligence models are evaluated before public release. The milestone comes as leading technology executives, government officials, and AI companies intensify discussions over balancing national security with innovation. According to a report by CNBC, the White House remains on track to meet the 60-day deadline established in President Donald Trump's executive order signed in early June. What Happens When the Deadline Arrives? Trump's executive order directed multiple federal agencies to develop a framework for voluntary government review of frontier AI models before they are publicly dep...
Trump Restricts White House Access to Frontier AI Models from OpenAI and Anthropic
Donald Trump

Trump Restricts White House Access to Frontier AI Models from OpenAI and Anthropic

The Trump administration is taking a more active role in overseeing access to the world's most advanced artificial intelligence systems, introducing a framework that could reshape how frontier AI models are distributed. The proposed approach would give the White House greater influence over which organizations can access cutting-edge models developed by OpenAI and Anthropic, raising new questions about AI governance, national security, and innovation. According to a report by Quartz, citing CNBC, the administration is preparing a new system known as the "Gold Eagle" program that would centralize oversight of access to frontier AI technologies. What Happened? The Trump administration is reportedly establishing a government clearinghouse through the Gold Eagle initiative to oversee ...
Trump Launches America 250 Celebration at Mount Rushmore Amid Political Tensions
Donald Trump

Trump Launches America 250 Celebration at Mount Rushmore Amid Political Tensions

President Donald Trump officially launched the United States' America 250 celebrations with a speech at Mount Rushmore, using the historic event to promote patriotism while warning that American identity is under renewed attack. The kickoff ceremony comes as the nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence against a backdrop of political polarization, extreme heat, and the approaching 2026 midterm elections. According to a report by Le Monde, President Trump used the Mount Rushmore event to frame the nation's semiquincentennial as both a celebration of American history and a call to defend traditional national values. What Happened President Trump traveled to Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone, South Dakota, on July 3 to launch the nat...
White House Unveils ‘Patriot Passports’ Featuring Trump for America’s 250th Anniversary
Donald Trump

White House Unveils ‘Patriot Passports’ Featuring Trump for America’s 250th Anniversary

The White House has unveiled a limited-edition Patriot Passport featuring President Donald Trump as part of the celebrations marking America's 250th anniversary. The commemorative U.S. passport will be available beginning July 6, 2026, through the Washington Passport Agency while supplies last. The announcement has generated widespread political debate over the inclusion of a sitting president's image on an official government travel document. According to a report by BBC, the redesigned passport features Trump's portrait alongside imagery inspired by the Declaration of Independence, making it one of the administration's most prominent America250 commemorative initiatives. What Happened? The U.S. State Department officially unveiled the limited-edition Patriot Passport to commemor...
Trump Unveils New Air Force One Gifted by Qatar at Joint Base Andrews
Donald Trump

Trump Unveils New Air Force One Gifted by Qatar at Joint Base Andrews

President Donald Trump unveiled a new Air Force One aircraft at Joint Base Andrews on June 20, showcasing a former Qatari-owned Boeing 747 that has been converted into the official presidential aircraft. The new Air Force One is expected to serve as a temporary “bridge” aircraft until Boeing delivers the next-generation presidential fleet, currently scheduled for 2028. What Happened According to a report by PBS NewsHour, Trump formally introduced the new Air Force One during a ceremony attended by Air Force personnel at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The aircraft, previously owned by the government of Qatar, has undergone extensive modifications to meet presidential transportation requirements. Trump arrived aboard the aircraft before addressing attendees inside a large military ...
President Trump Declared in Excellent Health Following Routine Medical Check
Donald Trump

President Trump Declared in Excellent Health Following Routine Medical Check

President Donald Trump has been declared in “excellent health” following a routine medical examination, according to a memorandum released by the White House. The report, issued after the 79-year-old president underwent a comprehensive evaluation at Walter Reed Medical Center, stated that he remains fully capable of performing the duties of the presidency despite some minor health concerns. According to a report by The Guardian, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella concluded that Trump remains in excellent physical condition, citing strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall health indicators. What Happened? The White House released a three-page medical memorandum summarizing the results of President Trump's recent health examination conducted at Walter Reed Medical...
Justice Department Announces $1.7 Billion ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund to Compensate Trump Allies
Donald Trump

Justice Department Announces $1.7 Billion ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund to Compensate Trump Allies

The Trump administration has announced the creation of a controversial $1.7 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” designed to compensate allies of President Donald Trump who claim they were unfairly targeted by the Biden-era Justice Department. The unprecedented move immediately sparked backlash from Democrats, ethics watchdogs, and legal experts who argue the fund could become a taxpayer-financed political reward system. According to a report by PBS NewsHour, the Justice Department unveiled the fund as part of a legal settlement tied to Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his confidential tax records. What Is the ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund? The newly announced fund would provide compensation to individuals who believe they were victims of politically ...
Trump Christian National Mall Gathering Draws Praise and Criticism
Donald Trump

Trump Christian National Mall Gathering Draws Praise and Criticism

Thousands gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Sunday for a large conservative Christian prayer event tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations, as Trump administration officials delivered speeches emphasizing faith, patriotism, and religious identity in public life. The gathering, known as “Rededicate 250,” has also sparked criticism from church-state separation advocates who accuse organizers of promoting Christian nationalism. According to a report by NPR, the event featured worship music, prayers from evangelical leaders, and video addresses from senior Trump administration officials. What Happened at the National Mall Event The “Rededicate 250” event was organized by Freedom 250, a public-private organization working alongside the White House ...