Federal

• Ein Bundesberufungsgericht hat eine einstweilige Verfügung eines unteren Gerichts aufgehoben, die die Trump administration angewiesen hatte, den Fluss von Bundesfördermitteln an mehrere Kommunalverwaltungen wiederherzustellen, wodurch Milliarden Dollar an Fördermitteln, die zurückgehalten worden waren, wieder freigegeben wurden. • Die Entscheidung folgt auf einen Streit darüber, wie die Regierung die an Bundesfördermittel geknüpften Bedingungen interpretiert, wobei Städte argumentieren, dass das Zurückhalten der Gelder einer politischen Vergeltungsmaßnahme gleichkam. • Das Urteil könnte beeinflussen, wie künftige Regierungen Hilfszahlungen von der Einhaltung politischer Vorgaben abhängig machen oder nicht, und es hat Auswirkungen auf den Föderalismus und die lokale Autonomie.

• Die Trump-Administration hat eine neue Liste von Nominierten für die Leitung mehrerer Bundesgremien und Stiftungsfonds vorgestellt, darunter eines, das laut Ankündigungen des Weißen Hauses in diesem Jahr eine bedeutende kulturelle Preisverleihung beaufsichtigen wird. • Die Auswahl umfasst enge politische Verbündete und konservative Kommentatoren, was Trumps Muster bestätigt, Loyalisten in Aufsichtsfunktionen einzusetzen, die Zuschüsse, Stiftungsvermögen und öffentlichkeitswirksame Institutionen verwalten. • Demokraten und einige Beobachter für gute Regierungsführung haben Bedenken geäußert, dass die Ernennungen parteipolitische Kriterien in traditionell überparteiliche Programme einbringen könnten.

• Die 88-jährige DC-Kongressdelegierte Eleanor Holmes Norton reagierte trotzig auf die schwerwiegendste föderale Drohung gegen die Stadtverwaltung durch Trump seit 30 Jahren. • Norton, unterstützt von Verbündeten von Muriel Bowser, sieht Trumps Vorgehen als politischen Gewinn für die lokale Selbstverwaltung. • Die Konfrontation unterstreicht die anhaltenden Machtkämpfe zwischen der Bundesregierung und der Verwaltung von DC.

• Ein Bundesrichter wies eine Klage des Justice Department auf Zugang zu Wählerregistrierungsdaten in Arizona ab und entschied zugunsten des Bundesstaates. • In dem Fall ging es um Behauptungen über ungenaue Wählerverzeichnisse, doch das Gericht fand unzureichende Beweise, um mit den Forderungen der Trump-Regierung fortzufahren. • Dieses Urteil schützt den Datenschutz der Wählerdaten des Bundesstaates und könnte Auswirkungen auf laufende Debatten über die Wahlintegrität vor den Midterms 2026 haben.

• Die Federal Reserve stimmte am Mittwoch dafür, den Leitzins für Federal Funds unverändert bei 3,5 % bis 3,75 % zu belassen, und führte Bedenken hinsichtlich steigender Inflation angesichts des Krieges im Iran an. • Dies bedeutet die Fortsetzung der Pause der Fed bei den Zinsanpassungen nach drei aufeinanderfolgenden Senkungen um jeweils 25 Basispunkte im September, Oktober und Dezember 2025. • Fed-Vorsitzender Jerome Powell wird voraussichtlich um 14:30 Uhr ET eine Pressekonferenz abhalten, um die Entscheidung zu erläutern, was seine letzte Zinsbekanntgabe als Vorsitzender der Federal Reserve sein könnte.

• Eine Mehrheit der Amerikaner zeigt sich besorgt über steigende Gesundheitskosten und befürwortet höhere staatliche Steuerausgaben, um diese Herausforderungen zu bewältigen, so der am 17. März 2026 veröffentlichte Axios/Ipsos American Health Index. • Die Umfrage belegt einen überparteilichen Rückhalt für staatliche Maßnahmen zur Verbesserung der Bezahlbarkeit im Gesundheitswesen, was die weit verbreitete Besorgnis der US-Öffentlichkeit über eskalierende medizinische Kosten widerspiegelt. • Zudem zeigen die Amerikaner ein gesteigertes Vertrauen in die staatliche Steuerung von Entscheidungen zu Impfungen im Kindesalter, was auf ein breiteres öffentliches Vertrauen in gesundheitspolitische Interventionen hindeutet.

Federal raids unfold in Twin Cities amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Minnesota officialsSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxFederal agents under the command of the Trump administration have descended on Minnesota’s Twin Cities again to primarily target alleged fraud at daycares after the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s so-called “Operation Metro Surge” all but wound down earlier in the year.“Today the FBI with federal, state and local law enforcement is involved in court-authorized law enforcement activity as part of an ongoing fraud investigation,” the US justice department told the Guardian in a statement on Tuesday. Continue reading...

Exclusive: State government commits to strengthening laws as Higgins labels Albanese government’s response to women’s safety issues ‘disheartening’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe Victorian government will strengthen laws regarding the use of victim-survivors’ confidential communications after a push by advocates including Brittany Higgins, who described her experience of having counselling records subpoenaed as a “violation”.In an interview with Guardian Australia, Higgins was also critical of the federal government’s lack of action following a sweeping review into the justice system’s responses to sexual violence, saying it had “completely fallen off the agenda”.Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html Continue reading...

• The Federal Reserve released minutes from its April 16 policy meeting, revealing internal division over the appropriate timeline for interest rate cuts, with several governors questioning whether inflation has declined sufficiently to warrant near-term reductions. • Hawks on the committee expressed concern that premature rate cuts could reignite price pressures, while doves argued that pausing at 5.5% risks unnecessarily constraining growth and employment, setting the stage for a contentious May 2 vote. • Market reactions to the minutes were mixed, with bond futures pricing in only a 28% probability of a rate cut by July 2026, down from 35% before the release, while equity index futures declined 0.6% on expectation of extended higher rates.

• The Department of Justice dropped its criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Powell regarding the agency's building expenditures, marking a significant development in federal oversight. • The decision came amid broader discussions on Capitol Hill about federal accountability, with both Republican and Democratic representatives weighing in on the implications. • The outcome reflects shifting priorities in federal investigations and debates over Fed governance and spending practices.

• The Department of Justice has dropped its investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, marking a significant policy shift. • The decision comes amid Trump's emergency economic orders, potentially easing tensions over Fed independence. • This move is viewed as stabilizing financial markets but criticized by conservatives seeking accountability on monetary policy.

The injunction pauses policy giving senior Trump official direct sign-off on federal clean energy projectsA federal judge in Massachusetts on Tuesday struck down several Trump administration actions slowing down development of clean energy, including a requirement that all solar and wind energy projects on federal lands and waters be personally approved by the interior secretary, Doug Burgum.Denise J Casper, chief judge of the US district court for Massachusetts, ruled that a coalition of plaintiffs representing wind and solar developers were likely to succeed on the merits of their claims that the administration’s actions violate federal statute and will cause irreparable harm if the court did not intervene. Continue reading...

• The president requires congressional approval to extend a 30-day federal takeover of unspecified operations beyond the initial period. • Lawmakers from both parties debate the scope, with costs projected at millions in taxpayer funds. • Extension could set precedent for future interventions, raising federalism concerns among states.

• 88-year-old congressional delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton is leading a back-seat response to the most serious federal threat to D.C.’s government in 30 years. • The challenge targets local autonomy, echoing Muriel Bowser's conflicts with Trump policies. • Victory for D.C. allies could preserve home rule amid national partisan divides.

The hearing marks a key hurdle Kevin Warsh must overcome in order to succeed Jerome Powell when his term ends on 15 MayHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Federal Reserve will commit to protecting central bank independence on interest rates at a crucial confirmation hearing later today.Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Donald Trump’s labor secretary, resigned from her role with the administration. She said it was “an honor and a privilege to serve” to serve and that she would take on a job in the private sector. The departure came after she became entangled in a string of political and personal controversies. Democrats celebrated, writing “this administration is imploding”.Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, called for Kash Patel’s immediate resignation following a report from the Atlantic detailing the FBI director’s alleged excessive drinking and absences. Patel has sued the magazine for defamation with his attorneys calling the article a “sweeping, malicious, and defamatory hit piece”.Donald Trump signed memorandums related to coal supply chains, natural gas and grid infrastructure on Monday. The president invoked the Defense Production Act in the energy-related memos, writing that increasing energy production is “essential to United States national defense”.The crowded field of Democratic candidates in the California’s governor’s race appears to be narrowing as Betty Yee — a former state controller— announced Monday she planned to end her campaign. Meanwhile, the California Democratic party chair Rusty Hicks continued to urge candidates trailing in the polls to exit the race. Continue reading...

Jose Serrano, a sergeant, said Deisy Rivera Ortega, his wife, was arrested at an immigration appointmentA US army sergeant with 27 years of military service – including deployment to Afghanistan – has said that federal immigration agents recently arrested his wife during an appointment at an El Paso, Texas, immigration office.In an interview with CBS News published Monday, Sgt First Class Jose Serrano said that Deisy Rivera Ortega, a Salvadoran and his wife, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers under the command of the Trump administration despite receiving legal protection in 2019 that bars her from being deported to El Salvador. Rivera Ortega, who wed Serrano in 2022, has been in the US since 2016, he said. Continue reading...

• President Donald Trump is backing Kevin Warsh as his preferred candidate for Federal Reserve chair, intensifying pressure on current Fed Chair Jerome Powell amid ongoing policy disagreements. • Republican Senator Kevin Cramer discussed the timeline for the CLARITY Act and Trump's strategy to reshape Federal Reserve leadership during an appearance on 'Mornings with Maria.'

Design among projects before US Commission of Fine Arts as lawsuits challenge scale and impactDonald Trump’s design for the triumphal arch he wants built at an entrance to the US capital comes up for a review and possible vote on Thursday by a key federal agency. It is one of several projects the US president is pursuing alongside a White House ballroom to leave his lasting footprint on Washington.Trump said on social media that the arch “will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World” and a “wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come!”. Continue reading...

• A dialysis unit in rural Nebraska closed after operating at a financial loss, leaving patients without local treatment access despite the state receiving $219 million in federal rural health transformation funding. • The closure highlights the challenges rural healthcare facilities face in maintaining operations even with substantial federal support aimed at rural health infrastructure. • The facility's closure upends the lives of dialysis patients who must now travel for treatment, raising questions about the effectiveness of federal rural health programs in sustaining critical services.

While the Lesbian Action Group claims a ‘definite win’, Equality Australia says the judge ‘simply identified legal errors in the tribunal’s reasoning’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA Victorian lesbian group has won a legal appeal in its case to exclude transgender women from its public events after the federal court set aside a decision by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).The decision on Wednesday afternoon means the case will return to the administrative review tribunal for another determination. While the Lesbian Action Group called the finding a “definite win”, Equality Australia said the judge “simply identified legal errors in the tribunal’s reasoning”. Continue reading...

• DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and her political allies have characterized Trump administration threats regarding the city's governance as a symbolic victory, suggesting they have successfully resisted federal pressure. • The dispute centers on federal efforts to exert control over District of Columbia government operations, marking one of the most serious federal threats to local autonomy in 30 years. • The 88-year-old congressional delegate has mounted a defensive response to defend the city's semi-autonomous status and self-governance rights.

Kevin Warsh, seeking to replace Fed chair, Jerome Powell, had to file financial disclosures for Senate approvalKevin Warsh, the former Federal Reserve governor chosen by Donald Trump to lead the central bank, has submitted financial disclosures that suggest he holds assets worth well over $100m.The document is required for his nomination to advance through the Senate, beginning with a yet-to-be-scheduled hearing. Continue reading...

• A federal judge in New York dismissed actor Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni related to their work on the movie 'It Ends With Us.' • The dismissal occurred on April 11, 2026, but the judge allowed Lively's retaliation claim to proceed. • The ruling stems from an ongoing legal dispute between the co-stars amid production tensions.

• Kevin Warsh was nominated as the next Federal Reserve Chair, set to succeed Jerome Powell in May 2026. • Warsh, a critic of the Fed’s quantitative easing policies, is viewed by markets as a steady hand amid economic uncertainties. • The nomination comes as PCE inflation rose to 2.9% and core PCE to 3.0% year-on-year in March, aligning with consensus expectations.

• Measles cases from Texas federal detention facilities infected at least 4 El Paso residents who worked there, marking a community outbreak. • Infectious disease expert Flor M. stated, 'By definition, when more than 2 measles cases occur in a community where there should be 0 cases, this is an outbreak.' • The incident highlights risks of contagious diseases escaping confined settings into wider US populations amid ongoing vaccination policy debates.

• President Trump signed an executive order last week to place tight federal controls on mail-in voting, claiming it enables widespread cheating in blue states like California. • Trump stated 'Mail-in voting means mail-in cheating' and 'Cheating on mail-in voting is legendary,' despite no evidence of fraud. • California and other states sued, arguing states have constitutional rights to administer elections; Trump insists Democrats register noncitizens, especially Latinos.

Girl suffered alleged abuse at foster home immigration officials placed her at after separating her from motherSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxFor five months, the young father waited for his three-year-old daughter’s release from federal custody after she crossed the US-Mexico border with her mother, hoping through delays for their safe reunion.Only when he turned to the courts as a last resort did he learn that the girl had suffered alleged sexual abuse at the foster home where she’d been placed after immigration officials separated her from her mother. Continue reading...

Trump ordered data collection after raising concern about race being used as factor in college admissionsA federal judge on Friday halted efforts by the Trump administration to collect data that proves higher education institutions aren’t considering race in admissions.The ruling from the US district court judge F Dennis Saylor IV in Boston granting the preliminary injunction follows a lawsuit filed earlier this month by a coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general. It will only apply to public universities in plaintiffs’ states. Continue reading...