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Postal Service Proposes Rules to Back Trump Citizenship Check on Mail Ballots
The U.S. Postal Service, on May 29, 2026, released a proposed rule to carry out President Trump’s March executive order on election integrity. States that want to send mail-in or absentee ballots through the Postal Service for federal elections must submit lists of eligible voters expected to receive those ballots. Ballots would need clear markings and unique barcodes. The Postal Service would match recipients against the state lists and could refuse delivery for ballots that do not comply. States keep control over who qualifies for mail voting, but they must share data with the federal agency. The proposal follows a federal judge’s decision the day before, declining to block the underlying order. It now enters a 30-day public comment period.
🏛️ Politics & Government
New York Quietly Adds Gun Restrictions To Budget Package
New York lawmakers tucked two gun control measures into the state’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget package. Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul signed the legislation on May 27 or 28 after passage by the Democratic-controlled Legislature. One provision targets so-called convertible pistols featuring a cruciform trigger bar design common to popular models like Glocks. The other establishes first-in-the-nation requirements for 3D printers sold in the state to include blocking technology that prevents the printing of firearms or components. These changes appeared in a lengthy budget document on page 10 of a 314-page section and drew criticism from gun rights groups for bypassing regular legislative debate and raising constitutional concerns under recent Supreme Court precedents.
Georgia Congressional Candidate With Anti-Trump Past Advances to Runoff as Trump-Supporting Republican
Dr. John Cowan, a neurosurgeon seeking the Republican nomination for Georgia’s 11th Congressional District, secured enough votes in the May 19 primary to advance to a June 16 runoff against Rob Adkerson. Cowan has positioned his current campaign as strongly supportive of President Trump with public statements and social media highlighting alignment on key issues. Past comments from Cowan, however, show repeated criticism of Trump, including references to the January 6 events as “Trump’s Rebellion,” suggestions that Trump sounded like a “drunk uncle” on election matters, concerns about Republicans making an “idol” of Trump, and a $2,500 donation to a PAC linked to former Representative Adam Kinzinger. Several of Cowan’s earlier social media posts on the topic appear to have been deleted from his former X account. Cowan addressed some past statements during a debate by describing them as efforts to speak his mind while still affirming current support for Trump and the party.
New Orleans Advances Public School Choice Through Charter Dominance
New Orleans has largely replaced its traditional public school system with charter schools following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. State officials took over most failing schools and converted them into independent charter operators. This created the nation’s first nearly all-charter district where families can choose schools across the city rather than by neighborhood zones. Student achievement and graduation rates have risen substantially from pre-Katrina lows, though challenges remain in serving all students evenly. The local school board now oversees the unified system while individual charters handle daily operations.
FBI Takes Out Repeat Bank Robber On Parole In Chicago Shootout
A 25-year-old man named Abdulhafedh Abdulhafedh died after exchanging gunfire with FBI agents on Chicago’s West Side. The incident took place around 3 p.m. Thursday in the 3700 block of West Lexington Street in the Homan Square and Garfield Park area. Agents had cornered his vehicle during an apparent arrest attempt tied to recent criminal activity. The man fired at agents through his SUV’s sunroof after they deployed flash bangs. He had active warrants out of DuPage County and was on parole after serving time for a 2021 bank robbery conviction. Court records show he led a crew linked to multiple suburban bank heists since his release from prison in January.
United Flight Diverted to Madison After Passenger Tries to Breach Cockpit
A United Airlines flight from Chicago to Minneapolis diverted to Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday night after a passenger made multiple attempts to breach the cockpit. The Boeing 737-900, operating as Flight 2005 with over 140 people aboard, squawked the hijacking code 7500 and declared a Level 4 threat roughly 20 minutes after takeoff. Off-duty law enforcement officers on the plane helped subdue the individual, who was reported to be ranting in Russian, allowing the aircraft to land safely around 9:30 p.m. Authorities detained the 75-year-old passenger without injuries to others. The FBI responded but declined to pursue federal charges, citing what appeared to be a mental health issue. The flight later continued to its destination after a sweep of the plane.
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📢 The American Fifth Column
Fragile Artists Bail On America’s 250th Birthday Concerts
Several musical acts have pulled out of the Great American State Fair concerts organized by Freedom 250. The events are scheduled for June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall in Washington as part of the semiquincentennial festivities. Performers, including Bret Michaels of Poison, Martina McBride, the Commodores, Morris Day and the Time, and Young MC, suddenly cited concerns that the event was presented as nonpartisan but turned out to have ties to the President of the United States. Some artists claimed they were not fully informed about the political connections beforehand and backed away from what amounts to a celebration of the country. Vanilla Ice has publicly confirmed his participation and defended the event as a simple patriotic gathering. President Trump has suggested he may replace the concerts with a rally instead.
Tired No Kings Protests Bankrolled by Leftist Billionaires Set for Trump’s 80th Birthday
No Kings organizers revealed plans for coordinated demonstrations on June 14, 2026, which is President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. The events include a celebrity concert in New York City featuring has-beens like Jane Fonda, Bette Midler, Patti Smith, and Rufus Wainwright, among others. The group has a history of staging similar actions timed to Trump milestones. A network of roughly 500 activist organizations with combined revenues near $3 billion backs the effort. Groups such as Indivisible coordinate much of the activity. This infrastructure receives support from foundations tied to billionaire George Soros and socialist financier Neville Roy Singham. Observers describe the turnout as more orchestrated than spontaneous given the professional funding streams and pre-planned logistics. Earlier rounds of No Kings events were viewed as flops and followed the same model of centralized direction paired with public mobilization.
FBI Nabs Newark Rioter Over Direct Threats to ICE Agent and His Family
The FBI arrested a man caught on video outside Newark’s Delaney Hall ICE detention center for shouting repeated death threats at a federal immigration officer during clashes with protesters. The rioter pointed at the agent and yelled that he would kill the officer’s entire family, specifying the agent’s wife and children as targets while claiming to have memorized his face. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the arrest shortly after publicly vowing action, describing the threats as a clear federal crime that extended beyond the officer to his loved ones. The incident occurred amid several nights of protests and scuffles at the facility, where other demonstrators faced charges for assaulting officers through actions like biting and kicking.
Federal Push Against Mandatory DEI Training Highlights Ongoing Resistance at Public Law School
Students at Southern Illinois University’s Simmons Law School received warnings of a letter of reprimand in their permanent record if they skipped a mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion training held on February 13, 2026. The associate dean noted in an email that those unable to attend in person could usually make up the session without trouble. Failure to complete a makeup within a reasonable time would result in the letter, which could be shared with the state bar during character and fitness reviews. The materials obtained through public records requests also included claims that bullying affects underrepresented groups more and that lawyers of color face higher rates of such treatment. A parental rights group highlighted the issue after reviewing emails that described the session as required for professionalism. This incident comes as the federal government has moved to halt mandatory DEI training across public institutions through executive actions targeting discriminatory practices in federally funded entities.
Newsom, Democrat Legislature Spend Millions on Tribal Burns While Ignoring Water, Infrastructure Problems
California Governor Gavin Newsom oversaw the spending of millions of dollars on a Tribal Wildfire Resilience program run through CAL FIRE. The Democrat-dominated legislature allocated funding for cultural burning practices by tribal groups and nonprofits. These efforts emphasized traditional methods for brush management and food sovereignty. At the same time, state leaders paid less attention to water system upgrades and infrastructure maintenance. Low water pressure and empty reservoirs hampered firefighting during the Palisades fire and other blazes. Those fires destroyed tens of thousands of homes across the affected areas. Officials noted separate certification rules for tribal practitioners. No full accounting exists for brush cleared specifically through these grants, as risks continued.
🌐 International
China Constructs Extensive Launch Pad Network Near Nuclear Silos to Bolster Retaliatory Options
Satellite images show China has constructed more than 80 launch pads along with bunkers, communications nodes, and three octagon-shaped installations in remote desert areas of its northwest near the Hami nuclear silo field. These facilities support mobile missile launchers, air-defense systems, electronic warfare, and command operations spread across thousands of square kilometers. The infrastructure links to rail lines, airfields, and the main silo sites housing the country’s longest-range missiles capable of reaching the United States. Analysts note the buildup enhances survivability and second-strike potential against a possible first strike, occurring amid ongoing military modernization and regional tensions over Taiwan. Recent activity includes exercises with large vehicles and temporary structures observed in recent months.
Iranian Missile Debris Strikes US Base in Kuwait, Injuring Americans and Hitting Drones
An Iranian Fateh-110 short-range ballistic missile targeted Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base, a key US Air Force hub in the Gulf, within the past day. Kuwaiti air defenses intercepted the projectile, but falling debris struck the facility, causing minor injuries to about five Americans, including active-duty personnel and contractors. The impact destroyed one MQ-9 Reaper drone and seriously damaged another, each valued at around $30 million. This incident occurred amid fragile ceasefire extension talks between the US and Iran, with the strike labeled a ceasefire violation by US Central Command even as negotiators eye a 60-day pause to discuss nuclear issues and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Russia Signs Military Cooperation Agreement With Taliban Government
Russia and the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan signed a military and technical cooperation agreement during an international security forum near Moscow. Taliban Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob met with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu on the sidelines of the event. The two sides discussed expanding bilateral relations and regional security matters in Central and South Asia. Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban administration in 2025. Details of the pact remain undisclosed but typically cover areas such as arms exchanges and defense technology. Shoigu called on Western nations to unfreeze Afghan assets and shoulder reconstruction costs after their withdrawal from the country.
Colombians Head to Polls Amid Leftist Peace Push and Right-Wing Security Demands
Colombians prepare to vote on May 31 in the first round of a presidential election marked by sharp divides. Leftist candidate Ivan Cepeda leads polls by promising to expand social programs under President Gustavo Petro and continue peace talks with armed groups fighting a six-decade conflict. Right-wing contenders Abelardo De La Espriella and Paloma Valencia stress tougher action against crime and rebels, tax cuts, and steps to revive mining, oil, and the broader economy. No candidate appears likely to win outright, setting up a probable June 21 runoff. More than 41 million voters face choices on public finances, poverty reduction, and curbing violence in Latin America’s fourth-largest economy.
Bulgaria Curbs US Military Aircraft Presence Over Lingering Visa Dispute
Bulgaria will permit US military aircraft to remain at Sofia airport only until the end of June 2026. Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced the decision after the United States did not approve a visa-free travel program for Bulgarian citizens. The original permission for the aircraft, part of NATO cooperation and involving up to 15 planes along with support personnel and equipment, was set to expire at the end of May. Radev noted that he raised the visa matter directly with US President Donald Trump but received no positive response. He acknowledged the complexity of US regulatory processes while stating that Bulgaria must prioritize its own procedures and cannot extend the stay indefinitely. The one-month extension gives the US side time to make alternative arrangements.
