Author: Karen Givens

The Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s use of an emergency economics law to impose tariffs in Learning Resources, Inc., et al v. Trump, but that decision does not eliminate other legal or political routes for pursuing trade measures. The high court’s decision in Learning Resources, Inc., et al v. Trump drew a clear line around one method of imposing tariffs, and it will change the playbook for anyone in the White House who wants to act quickly on trade. Conservatives who favor robust border and trade enforcement see the ruling as a challenge, not a full stop. The question now…

If you’re looking for a Cinderella story in the Texas GOP Senate race, retired Lt. Col. Allen West thinks former Apache helicopter pilot Wesley Hunt might just be it. Allen West has put his weight behind Wesley Hunt in a race that’s drawing national attention, and his endorsement carries clear political signals. West’s support frames Hunt as a candidate who blends military service and conservative principles, which resonates with base voters. That combination is the Republican playbook in Texas politics: strong national defense, fiscal restraint, and a clear cultural message. Wesley Hunt’s military background is central to how supporters describe…

The United States and Iran held their second round of nuclear weapons talks on Feb. 17, and the session produced some early, limited signals of progress amid deep skepticism about Tehran’s intentions. Washington and Tehran met again for nuclear weapons talks on Feb. 17, a follow-up to an already cautious first meeting. Reports say the second round was short but offered a few tentative positives, mostly procedural and aimed at reducing immediate confusion. In diplomacy, those first moves are often about setting a clearer baseline for what each side actually wants. When adversaries meet to reach common ground, the first…

Melania Trump’s recent box office draw has turned a simple entertainment payday into a political punching bag, and that clash says more about our media and political theater than about the woman herself. Melania makes bank at the box office and the reaction from political circles was predictable: some actors rushed in to make a point. Instead of treating it like a business success, too many commentators turned it into a referendum on politics and personality. That shift matters because it changes how Americans see private enterprise when public life is involved. From a Republican standpoint, there is nothing wrong…

Many Virginians are pointing to what looks like a weak institutional Republican response to the recent referendum, noting gaps between party structures and the energy of voters and local volunteers. Across the state, activists and rank-and-file Republicans say they expected a stronger, coordinated push from party leadership when the referendum came up. They describe dedicated volunteers, energized precinct captains and well-attended local meetings that weren’t matched by the kinds of centralized resources you usually see for high-stakes votes. That mismatch has left some voters wondering whether official channels are prioritizing the outcome or assuming victory without the necessary groundwork. Local…

The federal government has moved to challenge a judge’s order about a Philadelphia display tied to George Washington’s household, and the legal fight now centers on how history is presented at a federal historic site. The Trump administration will appeal a federal judge’s order to restore a Philadelphia exhibit on the nine people enslaved by George Washington at his former home on Independence Mall. That move puts a national spotlight on who gets to decide what is shown at federally affiliated sites and how sensitive chapters of American history are interpreted for the public. The appeal signals that the executive…

Investigators continue to probe leads and physical traces in the case of Nancy Guthrie, working methodically through forensic material, reported ransom communications and purchase records as the inquiry moves into its third week. As the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s likely abduction enters its third week, officials say they are examining forensic evidence, reported ransom communications and possible purchase records. Those three investigative lanes now form the backbone of the inquiry and will shape both short-term search tactics and longer legal steps. Local and federal teams are coordinating to keep evidence intact and avoid mistakes that could slow progress. Search and…

This piece looks at Adam Kinzinger’s nonstop speaking circuit, who he’s speaking to, and what it suggests about his post-congressional career and political posture. Adam Kinzinger appears to be on tour. We write “appears” because the Never Trump former Republican congressman never seems to actually get off the speaking circuit. In recent months, the Kinzinger road show has included feature billing as part of a pricey multi-state “speaker series” aimed at affluent progressives willing to pay top dollar to hear him. That pattern is hard to ignore when you track where he shows up and who fills the seats. His…

Attorney General Pam Bondi pushed Abigail Slater out of the Justice Department’s antitrust post after a pattern of insubordination, misleading claims about intelligence input, and the repeated use of Vice President JD Vance’s name as a shield. Pam Bondi removed Abigail Slater from the antitrust division amid a string of clashes that made the office untenable. Those clashes involved a high-stakes merger fight, disputed intelligence briefings, and direct defiance of supervisory orders. The story shows how quickly privilege and political connections can evaporate when trust breaks down. The flashpoint was a $14 billion merger between Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Juniper…

The voters have spoken: the baby female Asian elephant at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo will be called Linh Mai, zoo officials announced Friday. The announcement that the National Zoo’s newest calf is named Linh Mai landed quickly and clearly. Fans, visitors and supporters followed the naming process closely, and the zoo confirmed the choice on Friday. That public involvement turned a simple naming into a community event people felt part of. The moment underscored how a single name can connect a zoo to a wider audience. Naming contests at zoos are more than window dressing; they invite real participation. Museums…