Trump administration rejects war powers deadline as Senate Republicans block resolution
Today marks 60 days since the Trump administration notified Congress of strikes on Iran, triggering the War Powers Act of 1973 deadline for President Trump to either end the conflict or seek congressional authorization to continue military action.
Despite this, the Trump administration has consistently rejected the deadline. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified that the ceasefire agreement reached with Iran over three weeks ago "means the 60-day clock pauses, or stops." This view aligns with a senior administration official's earlier statement: "For war powers resolution purposes, the hostilities that began on Saturday, February 28, have terminated."
On Thursday, Senate Republicans once again blocked a war powers resolution introduced by Democrat Adam Schiff, which sought to limit the conflict until Congress authorized further military action. This marked the sixth unsuccessful attempt by Democrats to pass such a resolution, mostly failing along party lines. However, some Republicans, including Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky, voted in favor of the resolution, while one Democrat, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, opposed it.
"As I have said since these hostilities with Iran began, the president’s authority as commander-in-chief is not without limits," Collins stated. "The constitution gives Congress an essential role in decisions of war and peace, and the War Powers Act establishes a clear 60-day deadline for Congress to either authorize or end US involvement in foreign hostilities. That deadline is not a suggestion; it is a requirement."
Separately, Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington DC, released edited security-camera footage from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner incident amid questions about whether the suspected gunman, Cole Allen, fired his weapon before being subdued. While four muzzle flashes from an agent’s gun were visible as he fired at Allen, it was unclear if Allen discharged his weapon after pointing it at the agent.
Sean Curran, director of the US Secret Service, told Fox News that Allen was stopped not by gunfire but by tripping over a box used to transport a metal detector.
Congress has approved a 45-day extension of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which grants US intelligence agencies certain surveillance authorities.
President Trump has threatened to withdraw troops from Spain and Italy, countries that have criticized his Middle East policies. This follows his review of US military presence in Germany after Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that America was being "humiliated" by Iran.
Iran’s foreign ministry confirmed it submitted proposals to Pakistani mediators late Thursday night and does not consider the diplomatic route closed. Details of the proposals were not disclosed, but the ministry, reflecting its assessment of a stronger position relative to the US, is emphasizing plans concerning the Strait of Hormuz rather than its nuclear program.
A mutual lifting of US and Iranian blockades and reinforcement of the ceasefire in Lebanon would require guarantees from the US and Israel that they will permanently end threats of renewed military aggression against Iran.
The decision to submit proposals to Pakistan followed internal debate within Iran about pursuing diplomacy versus leveraging the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefed Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Azerbaijan on the proposals and spoke with EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas, who emphasized that Iran’s nuclear program cannot be sidelined.
The list of contacts excluded the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain, countries most angered by Iranian attacks on their infrastructure.
UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash said, "Without a doubt, after Iran’s treacherous aggression against all its neighbours, no unilateral arrangements from this country are trustworthy or reliable."
Iran remains frustrated by the US’s inconsistent public stance, particularly after President Trump opposed Iran enriching uranium even for medical purposes, a concession Iran believed had been agreed upon by the US delegation.
Iranian officials hope Trump will seek to end the conflict before his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on 14-15 May.
Georgia governor Brian Kemp rules out redrawing state's political maps for 2026 elections
Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp announced he does not intend to delay the state’s primary elections this month to redraw political maps following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that significantly weakens a key provision of the Voting Rights Act.
"Voting is already underway for the 2026 elections," Kemp said ahead of Georgia’s primary on 19 May. He added that the ruling requires Georgia to adopt new electoral maps before the 2028 election cycle.
Praising the Supreme Court’s decision, Kemp said it "restores fairness to our redistricting process and allows states to pass electoral maps that reflect the will of the voters, not the will of federal judges."
Following the ruling, Louisiana has moved to redraw its congressional districts, and other southern states including Florida are also adjusting their maps.
Iran sends latest proposal in talks to end war to US via Pakistani mediators, IRNA reports
Iran has sent its latest proposal to the United States to end the conflict via Pakistani mediators, according to state news agency IRNA.
This development comes amid stalled talks between Washington and Tehran. Iran continues to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, while the US Navy enforces a blockade to prevent Iranian oil tankers from departing.
The Trump administration argued yesterday that the fragile ceasefire initiated in early April means the war powers clock is paused, allowing the White House to avoid seeking congressional approval to extend the conflict by today’s deadline.
Further details on Iran’s proposal will be provided as information becomes available.
Trump threatens to withdraw troops from Italy and Spain
Donald Trump threatened to withdraw US troops from Italy and Spain, following his announcement of a potential reduction of forces in Germany. This came after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that America was being "humiliated" by Iran.
Trump has criticized European allies for not deploying their navies to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a vital commercial shipping route.
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has opposed the US-Israeli conflict with Iran from the outset, and Italy had maintained a balanced position until late March when it refused US requests.
When asked if he would consider withdrawing troops from Italy and Spain, Trump responded:
"Probably … look, why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible, absolutely horrible."
Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto expressed confusion over Trump’s threat and rejected accusations that Italy had not supported the US, especially regarding maritime security. Crosetto also refuted claims that European-linked ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
"As is clear to everyone, this never happened," Crosetto said. "We have also made ourselves available for a mission to protect shipping. This was greatly appreciated by the American military."
He added, "The incredible thing is, they’ve used the strait of Hormuz, while we haven’t."
FEMA employees who criticized Trump cuts reinstated after months on leave
Fourteen employees of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) returned to work this week after spending eight months on administrative leave for signing a letter criticizing agency leadership.
The "Katrina declaration," sent last August to Congress and a federal council overseeing FEMA’s future, warned of dangerous cuts to disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
Timed with the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which killed 1,833 people and devastated parts of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in 2005, the letter cautioned that history could repeat itself.
More than 190 current and former FEMA employees signed the letter, with 36 active employees among them. Those still employed were placed on indefinite paid administrative leave the day after the letter was sent.
Senate unanimous in vote banning members from prediction market trading
The US Senate has unanimously voted to ban senators and their staff from participating in prediction markets such as Kalshi or Polymarket.
The resolution, introduced by Ohio Republican Bernie Moreno, takes effect immediately and amends existing rules prohibiting senators from engaging in financial transactions based on the outcome of specific events.
"United States senators have no business engaging in speculative activities like prediction markets while collecting a taxpayer-funded paycheck, period," Moreno said.
Prediction markets have recently drawn scrutiny after users with apparent advance knowledge made substantial bets ahead of significant events earlier this year.
Why red states are pushing back on Trump administration’s request for voter data
The Department of Justice’s effort to obtain sensitive voter data has encountered resistance in several traditionally conservative states.
As of 1 April, the DOJ has requested 30 states and the District of Columbia to provide full copies of their voter registration lists. The initiative has faced legal setbacks in states including Texas, Florida, Arizona, Georgia, and Ohio. Additionally, some of the most Republican-leaning states—Utah, West Virginia, Georgia, Kentucky, and Idaho—have refused to comply.
These Republican-controlled states cite their authority over election administration, concerns about data security and privacy laws, and question the legal basis of the DOJ’s request.
