Tracy Park
The Latest
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U.S. Withdraws from Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks as Trump Signals End to Mediation Role
The United States is stepping back from its role in mediating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, a State Department official said Thursday, marking a shift in the Trump administration's approach to ending the war. The move comes amid rising frustration in Washington over stalled negotiations and continued battlefield violence. 
The United States is stepping back from its role in mediating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, a State Department official said Thursday, marking a shift in the Trump administration's approach to ending the war. The move comes amid rising frustration in Washington over stalled negotiations and continued battlefield violence. -
U.S. Falls to Record Low in Global Press Freedom Index Amid Trump-Era Attacks on Media
Press freedom in the United States has dropped to its lowest level in history, falling to 57th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The Paris-based watchdog cited a sharp decline in journalistic conditions under President Donald Trump's administration, which it said reflects an "authoritarian shift" in the U.S. government. 
Press freedom in the United States has dropped to its lowest level in history, falling to 57th out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The Paris-based watchdog cited a sharp decline in journalistic conditions under President Donald Trump's administration, which it said reflects an "authoritarian shift" in the U.S. government. -
Pentagon Expands Border Authority: Second Military Zone Declared in Texas as 4,000 Troops Deployed
The Defense Department has established a second military enforcement zone along the U.S.-Mexico border, this time extending from Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, as the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on illegal crossings. The move follows the creation of a similar 170-mile zone in New Mexico last month, both designed to allow active-duty troops to detain migrants under military jurisdiction. 
The Defense Department has established a second military enforcement zone along the U.S.-Mexico border, this time extending from Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, as the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on illegal crossings. The move follows the creation of a similar 170-mile zone in New Mexico last month, both designed to allow active-duty troops to detain migrants under military jurisdiction. -
Trump National Security Adviser Mike Waltz to Exit After Signal Leak Fallout and Waning Influence
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is expected to step down from the Trump administration in the coming days, marking the first major staff departure of the president's second term, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. Deputy National Security Adviser Alex Wong will also leave his post, the sources said. 
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is expected to step down from the Trump administration in the coming days, marking the first major staff departure of the president's second term, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. Deputy National Security Adviser Alex Wong will also leave his post, the sources said. -
Senate GOP Blocks Resolution to Overturn Trump’s 10% Tariffs; Vice President Casts Deciding Vote
A Democratic-led Senate attempt to overturn former President Donald Trump's sweeping 10% tariffs collapsed Wednesday after a 49-49 deadlock, with Vice President JD Vance casting a rare tiebreaking vote to kill the resolution. The outcome delivered a political victory to Senate Republican leaders who lobbied intensely to protect Trump's trade agenda - and capitalized on the absence of Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. 
A Democratic-led Senate attempt to overturn former President Donald Trump's sweeping 10% tariffs collapsed Wednesday after a 49-49 deadlock, with Vice President JD Vance casting a rare tiebreaking vote to kill the resolution. The outcome delivered a political victory to Senate Republican leaders who lobbied intensely to protect Trump's trade agenda - and capitalized on the absence of Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. -
Trump Says U.S. Kids May Get 'Two Dolls Instead of 30’, But China Will Suffer More in Trade War
President Donald Trump on Wednesday acknowledged that American consumers may face higher prices and fewer product choices as tariffs ripple through the economy, but insisted that the trade war will ultimately benefit the United States. "Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls," Trump told reporters. "And maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more." 
President Donald Trump on Wednesday acknowledged that American consumers may face higher prices and fewer product choices as tariffs ripple through the economy, but insisted that the trade war will ultimately benefit the United States. "Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls," Trump told reporters. "And maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more." -
Mohsen Mahdawi, Palestinian Columbia Student Detained Over Advocacy, Ordered Released by Judge
A federal judge in Vermont on Wednesday ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student and legal U.S. resident who had been detained by immigration authorities during his naturalization interview earlier this month. The case has drawn national attention amid intensifying scrutiny over the government's treatment of pro-Palestinian activists on U.S. campuses. 
A federal judge in Vermont on Wednesday ordered the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student and legal U.S. resident who had been detained by immigration authorities during his naturalization interview earlier this month. The case has drawn national attention amid intensifying scrutiny over the government's treatment of pro-Palestinian activists on U.S. campuses. -
Trump Says China Will ‘Eat the Tariffs' as China Warns It 'Won’t Kneel' in Trade Standoff
President Donald Trump on Monday defended his administration's sweeping new tariffs on Chinese imports, dismissing warnings of consumer cost increases and suggesting that Beijing would absorb the impact. In a sharp response, China released a confrontational video accusing the U.S. of global economic bullying and vowing not to yield under pressure. 
President Donald Trump on Monday defended his administration's sweeping new tariffs on Chinese imports, dismissing warnings of consumer cost increases and suggesting that Beijing would absorb the impact. In a sharp response, China released a confrontational video accusing the U.S. of global economic bullying and vowing not to yield under pressure. -
Kamala Harris Mocked Ahead of $25 Streamed Speech Marking Political Comeback
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is set to deliver her most significant public speech since losing the 2024 presidential race to Donald Trump, but her return to the national stage is already drawing widespread mockery. 
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is set to deliver her most significant public speech since losing the 2024 presidential race to Donald Trump, but her return to the national stage is already drawing widespread mockery. -
Trump to Target Sanctuary Cities with Fresh Executive Orders on Immigration Crackdown
President Donald Trump is set to sign two executive orders aimed at highlighting and punishing so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, the White House said Monday, escalating a legal and political battle already raging in federal courts. 
President Donald Trump is set to sign two executive orders aimed at highlighting and punishing so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, the White House said Monday, escalating a legal and political battle already raging in federal courts.
