Trump Removes Pam Bondi as Attorney General After Contentious Tenure

• President Trump announced in a White House speech that U.S. involvement in the Iran war will extend two to three more weeks, with objectives nearly met. • Trump vowed continued strikes on Iran, threatening energy and water sites, while claiming Iran's offensive capabilities are 'essentially decimated.' • Oil prices surged 6% to $108 per barrel for Brent crude, pushing U.S. gas prices over $4 a gallon and impacting motorists and food costs.

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the state's version of the SAVE America Act on April 1, 2026, requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. • The law mandates in-person submission of documents like passports or birth certificates, drawing criticism from voting rights groups. • Civil liberties organizations filed a federal lawsuit within hours, arguing it imposes undue burdens and risks disenfranchising eligible voters.

• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on April 1, 2026, that state bans on conversion therapy for minors violate counselors' First Amendment rights. • The decision overturns California's pioneering 2012 law and similar measures in over 20 states prohibiting practices aimed at changing sexual orientation. • Chief Justice Roberts wrote the majority opinion, emphasizing licensed professionals' speech protections in private counseling.

• The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Trump v. Barbara, a case challenging the constitutionality of birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment. • President Donald Trump attended the arguments in person, making him the first sitting president to observe Supreme Court oral arguments, according to historians cited by Politico. • The case centers on Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship, with the Court expected to issue a ruling later in the term that could fundamentally alter citizenship eligibility in the United States.

• In late March 2026, the South Carolina Senate passed heavily amended H. 3924, regulating rather than banning hemp-derived THC products like drinks and gummies. • The bill restricts sales to those 21 and older, tightening safety standards to close 2018 Farm Bill loopholes on high-potency THC. • Legislation now returns to the House for concurrence before the May 7, 2026, deadline.

• On March 31, 2026, the New York Legislature passed and Governor Hochul signed the first budget extender bill, funding government operations through April 8 amid stalled budget talks. • The extender ensures state workers remain paid as negotiations continue over policy differences, pushing past the April 1 deadline for the SFY 2026-27 budget. • This signals ongoing delays in finalizing New York's $239 billion state budget, with key disputes on spending priorities and reforms.

• Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV) introduced HR 8167, the Diplomatic Reserve Corps Act of 2026, on March 31, authorizing a 1,000-member ready reserve for U.S. diplomatic efforts. • Co-led by Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA) and endorsed by the American Academy of Diplomacy, the bill addresses heightened demand periods for diplomacy. • The reserve would enable rapid deployment of experienced personnel to support State Department operations globally.

• Republican-sponsored Alabama Senate Bill 376 was introduced on March 31, 2026, reaching 25% progression in the regular session. • The partisan bill awaits further action after pending third reading, details focus on state policy adjustments. • Tracks with ongoing 2026 legislative efforts across Southern states.

• West Virginia lawmakers completed 306 bills (153 House, 153 Senate) out of 2,777 introduced in the 2026 session, with Senate Bill 1 launching the First Small Business Growth Act via Commerce Department incentives. • Senate Bill 104 grants $5,000 salary increases to all state mine inspectors effective July 1, 2026, covering electrical, underground, and surface specialists. • Additional measures include Senate Bill 44 regulating cottage foods and Senate Bill 137 raising second-degree murder sentences to 15-60 years with 15-year parole minimum.

• Recent federal tax legislation and policy changes now require parents to have a valid Social Security number (SSN) to claim Child Tax Credit (CTC), Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). • Undocumented parents who file taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) can no longer claim these credits even if their children are U.S. citizens, significantly reducing tax relief for mixed-status families. • Federal policies enacted in 2025 expanded the range of programs treated as "federal public benefits" subject to immigration-status eligibility restrictions, including Head Start, community health center services, and Title X family planning services.

• The Trump administration has proposed a federal regulation that would prohibit families with mixed immigration status from receiving housing assistance or living in public or Section 8 housing. • The proposal could evict approximately 80,000 people, including 37,000 children who are U.S. citizens, forcing mixed-status families to choose between homelessness or separation. • Advocates argue the rule directly targets immigrant families and contradicts current policy allowing federal housing assistance for families with mixed legal status, where the government only pays for individuals with legal status.