8 stories from 4 sources
Supporting Articles
Congress passed a reconciliation bill that funds President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda, allocating about $70 billion to the Department of Homeland Security over the next three years. The House approved it 214-212 after the Senate passed it 52-47, largely on party-line votes.
5:34 PMThe VergePresident Trump nominated Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general. The pick sets up a Senate confirmation fight over Blanche’s fitness and the Justice Department’s independence under Trump.
6:52 AMNPR PoliticsA federal judge struck down the Trump administration's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. The administration framed the fee as a deterrent to foreign hiring and a way to protect U.S. jobs.
1:07 AMNPR PoliticsSummary
Congress passed a reconciliation bill that funds President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda, allocating about $70 billion to the Department of Homeland Security over the next three years. The House approved it 214-212 after the Senate passed it 52-47, largely on party-line votes.
Why it matters
This funding makes aggressive immigration enforcement durable and harder to reverse quickly through annual appropriations pressure.
Summary
President Trump nominated Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general. The pick sets up a Senate confirmation fight over Blanche’s fitness and the Justice Department’s independence under Trump.
Why it matters
An attorney general seen as loyal to Trump could reshape federal law enforcement and deepen doubts about equal justice under law.
Summary
A federal judge struck down the Trump administration's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. The administration framed the fee as a deterrent to foreign hiring and a way to protect U.S. jobs.
Why it matters
The ruling limits how far the executive branch can go in reshaping legal immigration through fees and raises the odds that future restrictions must run through Congress or tougher regulatory scrutiny.
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
South Carolina Republicans will decide their gubernatorial nominee in a runoff between Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson. Both align with MAGA politics, but Trump endorsed Evette and not Wilson.
9:21 PMNPR PoliticsThe House passed legislation designed to speed up first contracts for newly unionized workers. If bargaining fails to produce a deal within 90 days, the bill allows government intervention to help impose a contract outcome.
7:10 PMNPR PoliticsEileen Wang pleaded guilty to acting as an unregistered foreign agent linked to the Chinese government while operating around Arcadia, California politics. The case raises questions about what influence Beijing sought from a small-city network with significant Chinese diaspora ties.
3:16 PMThe New York TimesSeveral California races remain uncalled because millions of ballots are still being processed under the state's standard, extended vote counting rules. Trump is pointing to the delays as evidence of fraud even though the pace and procedures are routine for California.
4:44 AMNPR PoliticsThree prospective contenders to succeed Rep. Jerry Nadler are presenting themselves to voters, with emphasis on positions relevant to urban transportation and street safety. The piece frames the succession contest around which candidate best matches those policy priorities.
12:03 AMStreetsblog New York CitySummary
South Carolina Republicans will decide their gubernatorial nominee in a runoff between Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Attorney General Alan Wilson. Both align with MAGA politics, but Trump endorsed Evette and not Wilson.
Why it matters
The result will signal how much leverage Trump retains over GOP nominations even when all candidates run on the same agenda.
Summary
The House passed legislation designed to speed up first contracts for newly unionized workers. If bargaining fails to produce a deal within 90 days, the bill allows government intervention to help impose a contract outcome.
Why it matters
If enacted, it would change the post-election playbook by making union wins translate into contracts faster.
Summary
Eileen Wang pleaded guilty to acting as an unregistered foreign agent linked to the Chinese government while operating around Arcadia, California politics. The case raises questions about what influence Beijing sought from a small-city network with significant Chinese diaspora ties.
Why it matters
If foreign influence can be purchased at the municipal level, it can scale quietly into state and national politics.
Summary
Several California races remain uncalled because millions of ballots are still being processed under the state's standard, extended vote counting rules. Trump is pointing to the delays as evidence of fraud even though the pace and procedures are routine for California.
Why it matters
Casting routine counting as fraud can delegitimize outcomes and increase the risk of contested certifications in tight races.
Summary
Three prospective contenders to succeed Rep. Jerry Nadler are presenting themselves to voters, with emphasis on positions relevant to urban transportation and street safety. The piece frames the succession contest around which candidate best matches those policy priorities.
Why it matters
Who replaces Nadler will influence New York City policy leverage in Washington and the direction of local infrastructure priorities.
Make it yours
Pick your topics, set your cadence, and receive your personalized First Pass in your inbox. It’s that simple!