While the administration continues to launch controversial initiatives, the institutions designed to provide checks and balances are pushing back, because there is a right and a wrong way to do things. The result is a president who increasingly finds himself spending time defending plans instead of advancing them. And the only accomplishment has been a birthday celebration. 

Click in for The Hill's midday newsletter with all the latest news. {beacon}   12:30 REPORT 12:30 REPORT   June 5, 2026 | By Cate Martel Today in DC: ☀️ 88° View Online | Sign up Happy Friday! I’ve been listening to Taylor Swift’s new “Toy Story 5” song all morning. “Man, it's been a while, But I knew it, I knew you.” 🎵   In...

Rep. Ilhan Omar (Minn.) was the only Democrat to vote against a bill that passed the House Thursday that would provide new military assistance to Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia, breaking with her party as it delivered a bipartisan blow to President Trump’s foreign policy. “I have always, and will continue, to stand with...

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez declines to rule out a 2028 presidential run, saying expanding healthcare matters more than pursuing higher office.

Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent endorses Mark Lynch, a candidate challenging Sen. Lindsey Graham in the South Carolina GOP U.S. Senate primary.

Democrats who demanded scrutiny of Kavanaugh allegations face criticism for silence on abuse claims against Senate candidate Graham Platner.

The Trump administration condemned the handling of Henry Nowak's murder in Britain, calling two-tiered policing a symptom of civilizational decline.

New York Democrats passed a bill replacing "mother" and "father" with "gestating parent" and "non-gestating parent" in state custody laws now.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., slammed Senate Republicans for passing a measure providing billions in ICE and CBP funding.

Treasury Secretary Bessent clashed with Rep. Brad Schneider during a heated House Ways and Means hearing over Trump tariffs and Illinois outmigration.