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šŖ Senate Gavels In And Quickly Adjourns Without Acting On House-Passed DHS Funding Measure
The U.S. Senate held a pro forma session on Monday morning that lasted roughly 30 seconds. Sen. John Hoeven, a Republican from North Dakota, presided, brought the chamber to order, and then adjourned until 7 a.m. Thursday. No action occurred on the House-passed bill that would provide full funding for the Department of Homeland Security for eight weeks. The House approved the measure late Friday by a vote of 213-203, with all Republicans in support along with three Democrats. The Senate session came amid an ongoing partial shutdown of DHS operations. Sen. Mike Lee criticized the move as the chamberās second recess since the impasse started and called for immediate debate on funding proposals. Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, attended the brief session specifically to object to any unanimous consent request that might advance the House bill or related measures.
šØ Trump Reveals Direct U.S. Contact With Iranās Parliament Speaker Amid Escalating Strikes
President Trump disclosed in an interview with the New York Post that the United States has identified Speaker of Iranās Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf as its point of contact within the Iranian regime. This revelation followed Iranian missile strikes that hit Israelās largest oil refinery in Haifa and a water and electrical plant in Kuwait. Trump indicated that additional U.S. military assets are moving into the region and urged what remains of Iranās leadership to reach a deal before facing severe consequences. He stated that officials would soon determine whether Ghalibaf is willing to cooperate and planned to provide an update within about a week. Ghalibaf has risen as a de facto senior operative after Israeli actions eliminated other key figures, including Ali Larijani. Iranian officials, including Ghalibaf and the Foreign Ministry, have denied any direct negotiations with the United States and described American demands as excessive. Ghalibaf has publicly called for the punishment of the U.S. and Israel while accusing Washington of using talks as a cover for potential ground operations.
šļø Trump Reveals Military Complex Construction Under New White House Ballroom
President Trump stated on March 30, 2026, that the U.S. military is building a massive complex beneath the site of the new White House ballroom. He made the comments aboard Air Force One after a weekend at Mar-a-Lago. The ballroom project replaces the former East Wing, which was demolished last October. Trump noted that details of the underground work surfaced due to a lawsuit. He described the ballroom as essentially serving as cover for the military construction below it. The overall project received approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts in February. Trump said construction is ahead of schedule and under budget. He added that the ballroom will feature bulletproof glass and drone-proof roofing and ceilings. Funding for the ballroom itself comes entirely from private donors and Trump personally, with no government money involved. The president called the ballroom a tribute to the White Houseās historic style and said it will greatly expand capacity for large events.
š« ICE to Maintain Airport Presence Until TSA Fully Recovers From Shutdown Disruptions
Border czar Tom Homan stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents will continue assisting at U.S. airports until operations return to 100 percent capacity and airports feel secure. This follows President Trump directing the Department of Homeland Security to issue back pay to Transportation Security Administration officers who missed paychecks during the partial shutdown that began in February. Homan noted the move depends on how many TSA agents return to work after receiving funds expected by March 30 or 31. ICE officers have handled tasks such as identification checks, crowd control, and managing entry and exit lanes to ease pressure on remaining TSA staff. The shutdown led to increased sick calls among TSA workers, longer security lines at major hubs, and financial strain on officers unable to cover rent or food. Homan described the ICE support as helping TSA colleagues during the staffing shortfall while Congress failed to resolve funding disputes tied to immigration enforcement priorities.
š« Cory Booker Criticizes Democrats For Failing Current Challenges And Pushes For New Party Leadership
Sen. Cory Booker appeared on NBCās Meet the Press on March 29, 2026, while promoting his new book. He stated that the Democratic Party as a whole has failed this moment despite his pride in many actions by individual colleagues. Booker argued that the party has relied on purity tests that shrink its coalition to a size too small for meaningful change or to meet the demands of democracy. He called for generational renewal and new leadership to address the left-right divide that harms the country, reduce focus on former President Trump as the central narrative, and instead promote unity against issues like advancing technologies such as AI and robotics while countering efforts by adversaries to exploit divisions on social media. Booker emphasized the need for a broader vision that brings people together rather than deepening divides and noted that Americans seek leaders who can lift the entire country.
šØ Los Angeles Police Arrest Dozens After No Kings Rally Descends Into Chaos Near Federal Building
Los Angeles police arrested about 75 people on March 28, 2026, after a No Kings rally in downtown Los Angeles turned unruly near the Metropolitan Detention Center. Officers issued dispersal orders around 5:30 p.m. near Alameda and Temple streets outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building following the main demonstration. Some protesters refused to leave, leading to clashes where individuals reportedly threw concrete chunks, rocks, and bottles at federal agents and officers. Police deployed tear gas and less-lethal munitions to clear the area. Among those detained were 66 adults and eight or nine juveniles charged mainly with failure to disperse, plus one adult arrested for carrying a dagger. Several officers sustained minor injuries. The rally formed part of a series of nationwide No Kings protests criticizing President Donald Trumpās policies.
š³ļø Democrats Quietly Eye Straight White Christian Male for 2028 Ticket
Some Democrats are privately discussing the need to nominate a straight white Christian male as their presidential candidate in 2028. They cite worries that parts of the electorate remain too biased to back a woman or non-white man after recent losses with female nominees. Conversations have taken place in group chats and at events, with some strategists stating bluntly that the party may require a white guy to maximize chances of victory. Michelle Obama recently commented that the country still has growing up to do regarding women in leadership, while others referenced Kamala Harrisās experience and polling on past candidates. Counterpoints include data showing Harris performed similarly to Barack Obama among white voters but lost ground with other groups, including Latino, Asian American, and Black male voters.
š¤” Progressive Lawmaker Suggests Reparations For Illegal Immigrants Traumatized By Enforcement
Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington spoke at a congressional hearing titled āKidnapped and Disappeared: Trumpās Attack on Our Children.ā She argued that immigration enforcement actions under the Trump administration caused trauma to children and families in the country illegally. Jayapal called for accountability that includes prosecuting those responsible for the policies and providing some form of reparations to address the harm. She indicated that such measures could advance if Democrats gain control of the House and Senate.
š° Boston BLM Activist Ordered to Repay Over $220,000 in Fraud Case
Monica Cannon-Grant, founder of the now-defunct nonprofit Violence in Boston and a onetime recipient of the Bostonian of the Year award, must forfeit an additional $224,063 after her federal fraud conviction. The amount covers roughly $181,000 in diverted donations from her own organization, more than $33,000 in fraudulent pandemic unemployment benefits, and about $12,600 in rental assistance benefits. This forfeiture adds to the $106,003 in restitution already ordered at her January 2026 sentencing, where she received four years of probation, six months of home detention, and 100 hours of community service rather than prison time. Prosecutors said she and her late husband used funds raised for anti-violence efforts and COVID relief to cover personal expenses, including vacations, car rentals, and dining out.
āļø Michigan Solar Developers Gain Power to Override Township Objections
Large-scale solar projects in Michigan can now sidestep denials or delays from local townships under Public Act 233 of 2023. Utilities such as Consumers Energy plan extensive solar developments covering hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland. If a township rejects an application, acts too slowly, or sets rules the state views as excessive, developers may apply directly to the Michigan Public Service Commission for approval. The three-member commission consists of appointees from Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. This setup shifts authority away from the 1,773 township governments that once held primary control over such land-use decisions in their communities.
š°ļø Iran Cracks Down On Starlink Black Market Sellers
Iranian police have arrested dozens of individuals involved in selling SpaceX Starlink satellite internet terminals across 19 provinces. Authorities seized 139 devices as part of operations tied to the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict and a nationwide internet blackout that has lasted more than 720 hours. Police commander Sardar Ahmad-Reza Radan stated that 48 key members of networks described as anti-revolutionary groups and espionage rings were detained from the start of the Ramadan War. Starlink terminals, which connect directly to low Earth orbit satellites and bypass ground-based infrastructure, have circulated on the black market where prices have reached as high as $4,000. Iranian officials view the devices as tools used by opposition and activist networks to access unrestricted information during the blackout.
ā ļø Netanyahu Orders Israeli Military to Expand Security Buffer Zone in Southern Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on March 29, 2026, that he instructed the military to further expand the existing security buffer zone in southern Lebanon. He made the statement during a visit to the Israeli Northern Command while citing the need to counter ongoing rocket fire and anti-tank missile threats from Hezbollah along Israelās northern border. The move aims to push potential infiltration threats farther from Israeli communities and fundamentally alter the security situation in the north. Israeli forces have already been conducting ground operations in the area, with recent advances reported toward the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers from the border. Netanyahu referenced similar buffer zone efforts in Gaza and near Syria as part of a broader approach to securing Israelās frontiers.
š„ NATO Defenses Intercept Another Iranian Missile Over Turkey
A ballistic missile launched from Iran entered Turkish airspace on March 30, 2026, and was shot down by NATO air and missile defense systems deployed in the eastern Mediterranean. This marked the fourth such incident since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Turkeyās defense ministry reported the interception without specifying the missileās intended target. Iran has denied targeting Turkey in previous cases and offered no immediate comment on this event. NATO confirmed the action and stated it remains prepared to defend alliance members against such threats. The episode follows weekend diplomatic talks in Islamabad involving Turkey and other regional powers aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
š« Spain Closes Airspace to US Planes Involved in Iran War
Spain has closed its airspace to American military aircraft participating in operations against Iran. Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced the measure on March 30, 2026, extending an earlier refusal to allow use of jointly operated bases at Rota and MorĆ³n for actions related to the conflict. The decision forces US planes to reroute around Spanish territory except in emergencies. Spanish officials described the US-Israel campaign, now five weeks old, as unilateral and contrary to international law. The move comes amid rising oil prices, with Brent crude exceeding $116 per barrel, and follows President Trumpās prior warnings about potential trade restrictions on Madrid after the base denial.
š Gunmen Kill At Least 20 In Nighttime Attack In Nigeria
Gunmen on motorcycles carried out a nighttime assault on the Gari Ya Waye community in Nigeriaās Jos North area of Plateau state on Sunday. The raid left at least 20 residents dead and others injured, according to local authorities and eyewitness accounts. State information commissioner Joyce Lohya Ramnap confirmed loss of life and injuries without specifying exact numbers, while resident Ibukun Falodun reported 20 confirmed fatalities. Officials responded by imposing a 48-hour curfew in the area to head off additional violence. No group has taken responsibility for the strike.