Author: Rana McCallister

Two Democratic-appointed federal judges on the D.C. Circuit invalidated President Trump’s January 2025 asylum restrictions in a 2-1 decision, with a Trump-nominated judge dissenting and pointing toward a likely Supreme Court showdown over executive power and judicial reach at the southern border. The court’s split ruling was authored by Judge J. Michelle Childs, joined by Judge Nina Pillard, and opposed by Judge Justin Walker. The decision rejects the administration’s categorical limits on asylum and sets up an appeal that probably ends at the Supreme Court. That appeal will decide how far the president can go when he asserts broad authority…

A Chicago police officer was killed inside a hospital while a suspect was under care, authorities said, and the shooting has triggered an active investigation and broader questions about custody and safety at medical facilities. A Chicago officer who was fatally shot by a man receiving treatment at a hospital while in police custody has been identified as 38-year-old John Bartholomew, authorities said. The basic facts are stark: an officer in uniform died during what should have been a controlled medical visit for a detainee. Officials have not released a full timeline, and investigators are still assembling the sequence of…

Michelle Obama used a recent “IMO” podcast episode to talk ambition, marriage and independence, blending personal anecdotes with public reassurance as she and her husband navigate life after the White House. The episode featured WNBA star Angel Reese and unfolded as a broader conversation about what high-achieving women should expect from partners. It landed amid months of public chatter about the Obamas’ marriage, and the former first lady used the platform to push back. Those remarks mix personal advice with a clear signal about how she wants the relationship portrayed. Reese opened the chat by describing how she wants her…

On Apr 26, 2026, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner was rocked by an attack that left attendees scrambling, raised urgent questions about security, and produced the simple, stark line: “Crowds, chaos, and unanswered questions.” The scene at the dinner was disturbing in its unpredictability and the confusion it created for guests and staff alike. Officials have been slow to fill in the timeline, and that gap is fueling concern about who failed to prepare and why. The date Apr 26, 2026 will be remembered for how quickly a festive night turned tense. “Crowds, chaos, and unanswered questions.” That phrase has…

A chaotic scene at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner sent guests scrambling and put security on full display, with a Washington Times correspondent reporting from inside as the incident unfolded. The ballroom turned from gala to crisis in moments, testing the building’s security and the nerves of everyone inside. Reports describe sudden, frightening noise followed by people dropping to the floor and staff shouting for shelter. When events like this happen in Washington, the country watches how quickly authorities react and whether leadership prevents worse outcomes. Shots fired. Guests ducking for cover. Secret Service with guns drawn. Washington Times correspondent…

President Trump has publicly announced he called off plans for U.S. negotiators to travel to Pakistan for talks with Iran, framing direct contact as the straightforward option if Tehran wants to engage. President Trump made a firm decision and put it plainly: he has called off plans for U.S. negotiators to travel to Pakistan for peace talks with Iran, saying that if the Iranians want to deal, they can pick up the phone. That line cuts through diplomatic theater and signals a preference for clear, accountable channels over backdoor arrangements. Republicans will see this as a return to direct leverage…

Four women have accused Salt Lake City Councilwoman Eva Lopez Chavez of multiple unwanted sexual advances at social and political events between 2019 and 2022, and the allegations have prompted internal reviews, denials from her lawyer, and a broader debate about consistent standards for accountability in politics. Four women, including two state legislators and a fellow city council member, say Eva Lopez Chavez made aggressive, unwanted sexual advances at events ranging from wedding receptions to fundraisers between 2019 and 2022. Lopez Chavez, a Salt Lake City councilwoman running for Congress, has denied the allegations through her attorney Greg Skordas, who…

A federal appeals court allowed to stand Texas’ law giving the state independent power to arrest and deport illegal immigrants, with the judges saying the groups who challenged it lacked legal standing. Texas’ move to assert direct authority over arrests and deportations of people in the country illegally has just cleared a major judicial hurdle. An appeals court let the law stand, pointing out that the groups who sued to stop it lacked the legal standing to do so. That decision shifts the legal fight and hands a significant win to state-level enforcement advocates. What this ruling does is reinforce…

Rep. David Scott, 80, has died after representing his Georgia district for more than two decades, leaving a vacant seat and questions about the next steps for his constituents. Rep. David Scott’s passing marks the end of a long run in Washington for a lawmaker who served his Georgia district for over twenty years. His death at age 80 immediately creates a vacancy in the House and starts a political and procedural clock that Georgia officials will have to follow. Voters and local leaders now face the practical reality of replacing a familiar figure in Congress. For many residents, the…

A work vehicle hit a commuter train in downtown Washington early Wednesday, injuring 11 people, officials said. The collision prompted an immediate emergency response and left commuters shaken, while authorities moved quickly to secure the scene. Details remain limited as investigators work to determine how the vehicle and train came to collide. The image released with the original report showed the aftermath of the crash in a busy part of the city, underscoring how quickly routine travel can turn dangerous. Commuter trains carry large numbers of people through dense urban corridors, and any unexpected obstruction on tracks creates serious risk.…