Senate Agrees To End Debate on Funding Bill, DC Budget Fix

04:59 PM EDT

Vance optimistic about TikTok sale before April deadline

Vice President JD Vance expressed confidence Friday that a deal to sell TikTok and keep it operating in the U.S. will be in place by April. Speaking aboard Air Force Two, Vance said an agreement that meets national security concerns and establishes an American TikTok entity is close.

The social media app faces a forced sale after former President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest or face a U.S. ban. President Donald Trump delayed enforcement of the ban until April 5, with negotiations still underway.

Vance, working alongside national security adviser Michael Waltz, noted that while key deal terms will be clear, the legal process could push finalization beyond the deadline. However, he remains hopeful an extension won’t be necessary.

Potential buyers, including entrepreneur Reid Rasner and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok, which is valued at up to $50 billion.

04:52 PM EDT

Senate begins vote on government funding bill to avoid shutdown

The Senate has started voting on a procedural measure aimed at breaking a Democratic filibuster on the government funding bill.

The vote requires 60 votes to pass.

04:48 PM EDT

Trump praises judge who dismissed classified documents case

Trump praised U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, calling her “amazing” and “brilliant” for dismissing his classified documents case last year on Friday.

Speaking at the Justice Department, Trump said he had never spoken to Cannon despite appointing her in 2020. He criticized those who had questioned her handling of the case, saying, “Actually, she was brilliant, she moved quickly. She was the absolute model of what a judge should be.”

Cannon dismissed the case in July, ruling that special counsel Jack Smith’s appointment was unconstitutional. Smith’s appeal was later dropped following Trump’s reelection. Cannon has previously defended her independence, stating she has had no private contact with Trump.

04:35 PM EDT

Trump faces economic blowback as consumer confidence dips

Amid a steep stock market selloff and downgraded growth forecasts, new consumer confidence data signals potential fallout for President Donald Trump’s economic policies.

Just months into his second term, Trump acknowledged that his proposed import taxes could cause “a little pain” but insisted they would pave the way for American manufacturing jobs.

However, even his supporters are showing signs of concern. The University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index recorded a 3.2% decline among Republicans.

“People who are afraid the economy is headed into a ditch won’t buy new cars or houses, go out to eat, or go on vacations,” said Bill Adams, chief economist at Comerica Bank. “If consumer sentiment continues to sour, spending will likely follow it lower and the economy could take a substantial hit.”

04:23 PM EDT

Trump vows ‘new chapter’ for DOJ, denounces past corruption

President Donald Trump opened his speech at the DOJ by declaring that his administration would usher in a “new chapter in the chronicles of American justice.”

“We’re turning the page on four long years of corruption, weaponization,” Trump said, reiterating his longstanding claim that he has been unfairly targeted by the Justice Department.

04:21 PM EDT

Justice Department investigates Columbia University over immigration violations

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether Columbia University concealed undocumented immigrants on its campus, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Friday. The probe is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to deport foreigners who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the university last year.

On Thursday, Department of Homeland Security agents searched two Columbia residences with a warrant but made no arrests. By Friday, officials announced that a Columbia doctoral student from India had fled the U.S. after her visa was revoked, and a Palestinian woman was arrested in Newark, New Jersey, for overstaying her student visa.

Blanche stated that the investigation would also examine whether Columbia’s handling of previous incidents violated civil rights laws or involved terrorism-related offenses. The university has denied wrongdoing and said it is committed to upholding the law.

The Trump administration has escalated pressure on Columbia, canceling $400 million in federal funding and accusing protesters of supporting Hamas. More visa revocations are expected in the coming days, as officials continue efforts to deport individuals linked to last year’s demonstrations.

04:08 PM EDT

Schumer faces turmoil after retreating on GOP funding bill

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is facing backlash from Democrats after reversing his initial opposition to a six-month government funding bill proposed by Republicans. Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats for eight years, angered House Democrats and liberal advocates, who criticized his decision as a retreat in a critical legislative battle under the second Trump administration.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for Senate Democrats to reject the GOP bill, urging them to support a shorter-term funding extension instead. Pelosi emphasized that appropriations leaders Rosa DeLauro and Patty Murray had presented a better alternative — a four-week extension to allow for continued negotiations. She warned that the GOP proposal would worsen the situation, drawing parallels to past government shutdowns under Trump.

Schumer, known for his ability to bring the Democratic caucus together, now faces questions about his leadership as frustration grows within his party.

03:55 PM EDT

DOGE makes cuts to bomb-sniffing dogs at TSA: What to know

Cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have reportedly hindered the use of bomb sniffer dogs.

The bomb-sniffing units were affected by the cuts the same week that the White House celebrated K9 Veterans Day, Fox News reported.

Newsweek reached out to the TSA via email for comment.

The Department of Government Efficiency is responsible for slashing operation costs and has dissected multiple federal agencies to shrink the government’s size. It has come under criticism for making unintentional cuts to important policy areas, like initiatives countering the spread of the Ebola virus.

DOGE head Elon Musk has admitted that the organization may get some things wrong. At a cabinet meeting in February, Musk said, “We will make mistakes. We won’t be perfect, but when we make mistakes we’ll fix it very quickly.

“For example, with USAID one of the things we accidentally canceled, very briefly, was Ebola prevention. I think we all want Ebola prevention. So we restored the Ebola prevention immediately, and there was no interruption.”

Read the full story by Theo Burman on Newsweek.

03:42 PM EDT

Democratic Party faces internal divide over Schumer’s funding decision

The Democratic Party erupted in frustration on Friday after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced his support for a Republican funding bill that could lead to significant cuts in federal government programs. Many party members were furious at the choice, arguing that the option to prevent a government shutdown would ultimately benefit President Trump’s agenda, giving him more power over federal spending.

Progressives were particularly vocal, calling for Schumer to be primaried in 2028 and urging Senate Democrats to oppose the bill. The debate intensified as the bill included cuts to non-defense spending while increasing defense spending by $6 billion. House Democrats also expressed their displeasure, with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi warning that the party should not settle for such a “false choice.”

Democratic figures like Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Rep. Greg Casar of Texas called for unity and courage within the party, urging fellow Democrats to take a firm stand against the Republican-backed proposal. At the same time, progressive groups, including Indivisible and MoveOn, threatened political consequences, with predictions of intense backlash at town halls and public events.

Even within the Senate, Democrats were reluctant to defend Schumer’s decision. Some, like Sen. Raphael Warnock, hinted at the need for new leadership, while others lamented that they were being cornered by a unified Republican front. With a crucial vote on the bill looming, it was clear that the rift in the party was far from resolved.

03:29 PM EDT

Supreme Court delays decision on Trump’s birthright citizenship appeal

The Supreme Court indicated on Friday that it will not expedite Trump’s emergency appeal regarding birthright citizenship. The justices overseeing the three separate cases have given those challenging Trump’s executive order until April 4 to respond, signaling that it could take several weeks to resolve the matter.

Trump is seeking the Court’s intervention to lift lower court rulings that have blocked his policy on birthright citizenship. While the administration has characterized its request as “modest,” the move would allow the policy to be enforced nationwide, with some exceptions for those involved in the lawsuits.

03:16 PM EDT

Former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson dies at 93

Former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson, a Wyoming political legend, has passed away at the age of 93. He died early Friday after complications from a broken hip in December, as confirmed by his family and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, where he served as a board member for 56 years.

Simpson, who was known for bridging partisan divides with his quick wit, was remembered for his generosity. His brother, Pete Simpson, described him as “an uncommonly generous man,” both in politics and in his personal life.

A towering figure in Wyoming politics alongside former Vice President Dick Cheney, Simpson was famous for his humorous approach to politics. One of his memorable quips was, “We have two political parties in this country, the Stupid Party and the Evil Party. I belong to the Stupid Party.”

02:59 PM EDT

Trump says ceasefire talks with Ukraine and Russia progressing

Trump discussed his efforts to secure a ceasefire in the Ukraine war during an interview taped Thursday. Trump stated that his administration would know more by Monday about the status of negotiations, though he did not provide further details.

“We have a ceasefire agreement with the Ukrainian group, and we are trying to get that with Russia too,” Trump said, adding that the situation has been progressing “OK” so far.

Trump also commented on his previous claims that he could end the war in 24 hours, noting that his remarks were made with some sarcasm but expressing confidence that he would be successful in his efforts. The full interview will air Sunday.

02:40 PM EDT

What Clarence Thomas has said about 14th Amendment as Trump wants change

Conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has previously spoken favorably of the citizenship clause of the U.S Constitution.

The clause is the basis for birthright citizenship, which President Donald Trump is challenging in the Supreme Court.

The right of anyone born in the U.S. to claim American citizenship has been a fundamental right for over 100 years.

If the Supreme Court’s conservative majority strikes down that right, it will allow the Trump administration to deport the children of illegal immigrants.

Newsweek sought email comment from Justice Thomas’ office on Friday.

Read the full story by Sean O’Driscoll on Newsweek.

02:23 PM EDT

Jeffries declines to comment on Schumer’s leadership amid GOP spending bill vote

At a Capitol news conference, Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York avoided answering questions about Senate Democratic leadership following Senator Chuck Schumer’s announcement that he would vote to break the filibuster of the GOP’s spending bill.

When asked if Senate Democrats needed new leadership, Jeffries responded with, “Next question.”

Similarly, when asked about his confidence in Schumer’s leadership, Jeffries repeated, “Next question.”

02:09 PM EDT

More than 50 universities face federal investigations over alleged racial discrimination

The Education Department has launched investigations into more than 50 universities over alleged racial discrimination, part of Trump’s broader effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The administration argues these initiatives exclude white and Asian American students.

The investigations follow a recent memo warning schools that they could lose federal funding for using race-based preferences in admissions, scholarships, or student programs. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated, “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin.”

Many of the inquiries center on universities’ partnerships with the Ph.D. Project, a nonprofit that supports underrepresented students in earning business degrees. Federal officials claim the program’s race-based eligibility criteria violate anti-discrimination laws.

01:54 PM EDT

Judge denies request to block USAID document destruction

On Friday, a federal judge declined to halt the destruction of classified documents at the U.S. Agency for International Development, ruling that the records set for disposal are outdated or unnecessary.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols found no evidence linking the documents to ongoing legal battles over the Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID. A second judge is set to review a separate lawsuit on the issue later in the day.

The ruling comes as USAID faces significant cuts, with most funding eliminated and staff reductions underway. A contractors’ union had sought to block the document destruction after an internal email surfaced ordering records to be shredded or burned.

The Trump administration argued that the email was misinterpreted, stating that the classified documents in question were duplicate records or derived from other sources. USAID officials assured the court that personnel and active program records would be preserved.

The controversy follows the administration’s decision to sideline USAID security officials who opposed granting Elon Musk’s team access to classified materials.

01:38 PM EDT

Putin meets with U.S. envoy to discuss ceasefire proposal

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to review an American-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal for the war in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday. Putin asked Witkoff to relay Moscow’s concerns to Washington and deliver additional messages to Trump.

Trump described the discussions as “very good and productive,” expressing optimism that a ceasefire could soon be reached. Ukraine has already endorsed the proposal, though analysts suggest Putin may hesitate while Russian forces maintain battlefield momentum.

While U.S. officials plan further talks on technical aspects of a potential ceasefire, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that key issues remain unresolved. Peskov and Rubio both expressed cautious optimism, with the possibility of a Trump-Putin call to finalize terms.

Meanwhile, Russian air defenses intercepted four Ukrainian drones over Moscow, with one damaging an apartment building near the Kremlin.

01:24 PM EDT

Donald Trump’s approval rating goes underwater

President Donald Trump’s approval rating has taken a hit, slipping into negative territory for the first time as disapproval outweighs approval, according to an average calculated by Newsweek.

Trump’s approval rating is a key indicator of his political strength as he navigates his second term and prepares for future policy battles.

A shift in his numbers could influence support from Republican lawmakers, affect his ability to push through his agenda and shape the political landscape heading into the midterm election cycle.

Newsweek’s average of the 10 most recent polls found that Trump has an approval rating of 47 percent, while his disapproval rating stands at 49 percent.

Read the full story by Martha McHardy on Newsweek.

01:12 PM EDT

Pelosi criticizes Schumer for advancing Republican spending bill

Representative Nancy Pelosi criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision to advance a Republican-backed spending bill, calling it a “false choice” that would harm working families. In a statement on Friday, Pelosi urged Senate Democrats to reject the measure and instead support a four-week extension to allow time for a bipartisan deal.

Schumer defended his stance, acknowledging the bill’s flaws but arguing that a government shutdown would be worse. His position has sparked frustration among Senate and House Democrats, many of whom believe the party should take a harder line in negotiations.

Pelosi praised House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for opposing the bill and warned against giving in to Republican demands, framing the fight as a battle for working Americans.