Prosecutors in Trump's hush money trial have traded the week's flashy testimony with the more mundane Friday, with witnesses on the stand focusing on the paper trail at the center of the case. The day started with testimony from a former Trump White House aide whose role gave her close access to the then-president when he allegedly met with Michael Cohen about the hush money deal and signed the repayment checks that now partially make up the charges in the case. The case is continuing Friday after the judge once again refused to declare a mistrial, which Trump's attorneys had sought, following ..read more

(The Hill) -- Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday complained about the gag order limiting him from attacking witnesses, jurors and court staff in his New York hush money case, calling it unfair that others could speak out while he could not. "It is a really bad feeling to have your Constitutional Right to Free Speech, such a big part of life in our Country, so unfairly taken from you, especially when all of the sleazebags, lowlifes, and grifters that you oppose are allowed to say absolutely anything that they want," Trump posted on Truth Social. "It is hard to sit back and listen to lie ..read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden condemned the “ferocious surge of antisemitism in America and around the world” during a Tuesday ceremony to remember victims of the Holocaust at a time when the Hamas attack on Israel and controversy over the war in Gaza have sparked new waves of violence and hateful rhetoric toward Jews. “We’re at risk of people not knowing the truth," Biden said of the horrors of the Holocaust, when 6 million Jews were systematically killed by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. “This hatred continues to lie deep in the hearts of too many people ..read more

The rematch between President Biden and former President Trump is heating up as polls show the two rivals neck and neck six months out from Election Day.  Polling is likely to fluctuate in the months leading up to the election, but for the first time since October, The Hill’s Decision Desk HQ average shows Biden narrowly leading Trump, at 45 percent to 44.9 percent. While the news is good for the president, the data shows some bright spots for his rival as well. Trump is narrowly leading Biden in the critical swing states of Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, according to The ..read more

CLIVE, Iowa -- On Saturday, the Iowa Republican party gathered for the 2024 state convention at the Horizon Events Center. The convention lining up elected officials to speak to Iowa Republican voters ahead of the primary and general election season. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Attorney General Brenna Bird speaking to the crowd, getting the based excited to get out to vote this year. "You know why we are electing republicans? You know why we have confidence in this next election? It's because republicans get things done," said Reynolds. "Can I tell President Trump that we have his back? Tha ..read more

President Biden was sharply critical Thursday of aspects of protests that have swept across college campuses nationwide in response to the war in Gaza, condemning vandalism and trespassing even as he defended the right to peacefully demonstrate. “In moments like this, there are always those who rush in to score political points. But this isn’t a moment for politics. It’s a moment for clarity. So let me be clear … Violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is,” Biden said in prepared remarks from the White House. He called out what has occurred at Columbia University and on other colleg ..read more

DES MOINES, Iowa -- On Wednesday Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a piece of legislation that she prioritized in her Condition of the State speech. Senate File 2442 is the bill that gets rid of individual income tax brackets and sets a flat rate of 3.8% starting on January 1, 2025. "As far as we've come, I'm also confident that we are not done yet," said Reynolds, teasing further changes to the state's income tax code. "You know after all, I think Iowa's approach to taxes is defined by a sense of responsibility to the people of Iowa. They deserve a government that constantly exercises the dis ..read more

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the Department of Education is working around the clock to make sure the FAFSA process improves, after major delays and a troubled roll out of the new financial aid form. “We’ve had delays, we’ve had issues with some of the coding that we had to make changes to,” Cardona said. Lawmakers grilled Sec. Cardona about the roll out during a hearing on Tuesday, just one day before May 1, which in normal circumstances is considered college decision day for many high schoolers around the country. “Many of those who have managed to overcome ..read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, The Associated Press has learned, a historic shift to generations of American drug policy that could have wide ripple-effects across the country. The DEA’s proposal, which still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget, would recognize the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledge it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs. However, it would not legalize marijuana outright for recreatio ..read more

(NEXSTAR) – Former President Donald Trump maintains a lead over President Biden in multiple key swing states, according to a new poll from Emerson College Polling and The Hill. Voters favored the leading Republican candidate – who is currently balancing court and rally appearances – over Biden in Arizona (48% to 44%), Georgia (47% to 44%), Michigan (45% to 44%), Nevada (45% to 44%), North Carolina (47% to 42%), Pennsylvania (47% to 45%) and Wisconsin (47% to 45%). The poll, which has a margin of error of +/- 3%, did, however, find that Biden gained ground among some undecided voters. “The stat ..read more