U.S. Debt Is on Pace to Set a Record High, Going All the Way Back to 1790  —  If Republicans pass their tax and spending megabill, the record will arrive even sooner — putting America's debt at more than 113 percent of the size of its entire economy.  —  The United States hit its record debt level …

Elon Musk Plans ‘a Lot Less’ Spending as He Edges Away From Politics  —  He spent hundreds of millions to elect President Trump.  But now he's less visible in Washington, says he'll spend less on future elections and is even posting less about Mr. Trump on social media.

Noem Incorrectly Defines Habeas Corpus as the President's Right to Deport People  —  The right allows people to legally challenge their detentions by the government and is guaranteed in the Constitution.  —  Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, bungled answers on Tuesday about habeas corpus …

Justice Dept. Opens Inquiry Into Cuomo, Singling Out Another Political Target  —  After killing a criminal case against Mayor Eric Adams, the Trump administration has begun investigating his chief rival in the New York City mayoral race over his testimony about the pandemic.

U.S. put Asian migrants on deportation flight to South Sudan, lawyers allege  —  Immigration lawyers told a federal judge on Tuesday that they received information indicating the U.S. government may have put migrants from countries like Myanmar and Vietnam on a deportation flight to South Sudan …

Senate unexpectedly passes the ‘No Tax on Tips Act’ in a unanimous vote  —  Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., called up the bipartisan bill for immediate passage, and no senator objected.  The measure now goes to the House.  —  WASHINGTON — In a surprise move, the Republican-led Senate quickly passed the …

STAT+: FDA will limit Covid vaccines to people over 65 or at high risk of serious illness, leaders say  —  The Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it will limit access to Covid-19 vaccines going forward to people 65 and older and others who are at high risk of becoming seriously ill …

CEO Says Trump's IRS Pick Promised Big Benefits  —  Former Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.), President Donald Trump's pick to head the Internal Revenue Service, was invited to attend Trump's inauguration as the guest of a financial services CEO who said Long promised him benefits for his company, according to a recording obtained by The Lever.

Trump selects $175 billion Golden Dome defense shield design, appoints leader  —  President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had selected a design for the $175 billion Golden Dome missile defense shield and named a Space Force general to head the ambitious program aimed at blocking threats from China and Russia.

Democrats Throw Money at a Problem: Countering G.O.P. Clout Online  —  At private gatherings, strategists and donors are swapping ideas to help the party capture the digital mojo that helped President Trump win.  Yes, there's a price tag.  —  Six months after the Democratic Party's crushing 2024 defeat …

Marco Rubio Says No Judge Has Authority Over Him in Alarming Testimony  —  Secretary of State Marco Rubio flippantly said he does not have to listen to court orders at a Senate hearing Tuesday.  —  Senator Chris Van Hollen asked Rubio about the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia …

Inside Kristi Noem's Polygraph Operation  —  The information that DHS employees are accused of sharing with media often isn't classified  —  WASHINGTON—In a small interrogation room in Virginia with a one-way mirror, employees from across the Department of Homeland Security are being summoned and hooked up to a polygraph machine.

National Science Foundation Ends 196 Grants To Harvard Amid Feud With Trump  —  “Pure retribution,” one NSF staffer said of the administration axing $46 million in unfinished research.  “We as a nation are shooting ourselves in both feet.”  —  WASHINGTON ― The National Science Foundation …

Trump's New Position on the War in Ukraine: Not My Problem  —  In a reversal, President Trump appears to have backed off joining a European push for new sanctions on Russia, seemingly eager to move on to doing business deals with it.  —  For months, President Trump has been threatening …

Official Pushed to Rewrite Intelligence So It Could Not Be ‘Used Against’ Trump  —  An assessment contradicted a presidential proclamation.  A political appointee demanded a redo, then pushed for changes to the new analysis, too.  —  New emails document how a top aide to Tulsi Gabbard …

New intelligence suggests Israel is preparing possible strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, US officials say  —  The US has obtained new intelligence suggesting that Israel is making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, even as the Trump administration has been pursuing …

Most Migrants Deported to Imprisonment in El Salvador Under the Alien Enemies Act Had no Criminal Record and Many had Entered the US Legally  —  An important new study by my Cato Institute colleague David Bier shows that most of the Venezuelan migrants deported to imprisonment in El Salvador …

Barry Diller Feels Sorry for Shari Redstone Facing Trump Lawsuit  —  Media mogul Barry Diller feels sorry for Paramount Global Chair Shari Redstone, who is trying to sell her company while fighting a lawsuit by President Donald Trump that may be holding up the deal.

Germany Makes Arrests of Suspected Right-Wing Terrorist Cell  —  Germany arrested five people accused of participating in a right-wing terror cell that sought to attack migrants and undermine the country's democratic system.  —  The individuals — all juveniles — are suspected of being part …

State prosecutor's office launches a criminal investigation related to Hope Florida  —  Leon County prosecutors say there is an open criminal investigation relating to information a lawmaker provided concerning the Hope Florida Foundation.  —  In response to a request by the Herald/Times …

Mace, alleging assault, shares nude photo of herself during House hearing she says was taken without her consent  —  The South Carolina Republican's remarks follow accusations made by Mace against her ex-fiancé and other men on the House floor earlier this year.

Why Trump Is Threatening to Investigate Bruce Springsteen  —  It's not just Oprah and Springsteen.  The president has long wanted to weaponize campaign finance laws against an array of celebs and Democrats  —  Early Monday morning, when much of the White House press corps was fast asleep …

EU pledges emergency funding for Radio Free Europe after US cuts … The European Union agreed Tuesday, May 20 to provide emergency funds to help keep Radio Free Europe afloat after the Trump administration stopped grants to the pro-democracy media outlet, accusing it of promoting a news agenda with a liberal bias.