Federal

• एक संघीय अपील अदालत ने निचली अदालत के उस इंजंक्शन (injunction) को पलट दिया है जिसने Trump प्रशासन को कई स्थानीय सरकारों को संघीय अनुदानों का प्रवाह बहाल करने का आदेश दिया था, जिससे रोकी गई अरबों डॉलर की फंडिंग फिर से शुरू हो गई है। • यह निर्णय उस विवाद के बाद आया है कि प्रशासन संघीय अनुदानों से जुड़ी शर्तों की व्याख्या कैसे करता है, जिसमें शहरों का तर्क था कि फंड रोकना राजनीतिक प्रतिशोध के समान था। • यह फैसला प्रभावित कर सकता है कि भविष्य के प्रशासन नीति अनुपालन पर सहायता के लिए शर्तें कैसे रख सकते हैं या नहीं, और इसके federalism और स्थानीय स्वायत्तता के लिए महत्वपूर्ण निहितार्थ हैं।

• White House की घोषणाओं के अनुसार, Trump प्रशासन ने कई Federal Boards और Trust Funds का नेतृत्व करने के लिए नामांकित व्यक्तियों की एक नई सूची का अनावरण किया है, जिसमें एक ऐसा निकाय शामिल है जो इस वर्ष एक प्रमुख सांस्कृतिक पुरस्कार समारोह की देखरेख करेगा। • इन चयनों में करीबी राजनीतिक सहयोगी और रूढ़िवादी टिप्पणीकार शामिल हैं, जो Grants, Endowments और सार्वजनिक संस्थानों का प्रबंधन करने वाली Oversight Roles में निष्ठावानों को रखने के Trump के पैटर्न को सुदृढ़ करते हैं। • Democrats और कुछ Good-government watchdogs ने चिंता जताई है कि ये नियुक्तियाँ पारंपरिक रूप से Nonpartisan कार्यक्रमों में Partisan मानदंड पैदा कर सकती हैं।

• 88 वर्षीय DC कांग्रेस डेलिगेट Eleanor Holmes Norton ने Trump की ओर से शहर की सरकार के लिए पिछले 30 वर्षों में आए सबसे गंभीर संघीय खतरे का डटकर जवाब दिया। • Muriel Bowser के सहयोगियों द्वारा समर्थित Norton, Trump के कदमों को स्थानीय नियंत्रण के लिए एक राजनीतिक जीत के रूप में देखती हैं। • यह गतिरोध संघीय और DC शासन के बीच चल रही सत्ता के संघर्ष को रेखांकित करता है।

• एक संघीय न्यायाधीश ने Arizona मतदाता पंजीकरण डेटा तक पहुंच की मांग करने वाले Justice Department के मुकदमे को खारिज कर दिया और राज्य के पक्ष में फैसला सुनाया। • इस मामले में गलत मतदाता सूचियों के दावे शामिल थे, लेकिन अदालत ने Trump प्रशासन की मांगों को आगे बढ़ाने के लिए अपर्याप्त साक्ष्य पाए। • यह फैसला राज्य के मतदाता डेटा की गोपनीयता की रक्षा करता है और 2026 के मध्यावधि चुनावों से पहले जारी election integrity बहसों को प्रभावित कर सकता है।

• Federal Reserve ने बुधवार को ईरान में युद्ध के बीच बढ़ती महंगाई की चिंताओं का हवाला देते हुए बेंचमार्क federal funds rate को 3.5% से 3.75% पर अपरिवर्तित रखने का फैसला किया। • यह सितंबर, अक्टूबर और दिसंबर 2025 में लगातार तीन 25-basis-point की कटौती के बाद ब्याज दर समायोजन में Fed के ठहराव की निरंतरता को दर्शाता है। • Fed चेयरमैन Jerome Powell इस निर्णय पर चर्चा करने के लिए दोपहर 2:30 बजे ET पर एक प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस करने वाले हैं, जो Federal Reserve चेयरमैन के रूप में उनकी अंतिम ब्याज-दर घोषणा हो सकती है।

• 17 मार्च, 2026 को जारी Axios/Ipsos American Health Index के अनुसार, अधिकांश अमेरिकी स्वास्थ्य सेवा की बढ़ती लागतों पर चिंता व्यक्त करते हैं और इन चुनौतियों से निपटने के लिए संघीय कर खर्च में वृद्धि का समर्थन करते हैं। • यह सर्वेक्षण स्वास्थ्य सेवा की affordability पर सरकारी कार्रवाई के लिए द्विपक्षीय समर्थन को दर्शाता है, जो बढ़ते चिकित्सा खर्चों के बारे में अमेरिकी जनता के बीच व्यापक चिंता को प्रतिबिंबित करता है। • अमेरिकियों ने बचपन के टीकाकरण निर्णयों के सरकारी प्रबंधन में भी बढ़ा हुआ विश्वास दिखाया है, जो health policy interventions में व्यापक सार्वजनिक विश्वास का संकेत देता है।

• ट्रंप प्रशासन और मिनेसोटा के अधिकारियों के बीच चल रहे तनाव के बीच ट्विन सिटीज में संघीय छापेमारी हुई। • ट्रंप प्रशासन के अधीन संघीय एजेंट एक बार फिर मिनेसोटा के ट्विन सिटीज में पहुंचे हैं, जिनका प्राथमिक लक्ष्य डेकेयर केंद्रों में कथित धोखाधड़ी को पकड़ना है। यह कार्रवाई US Immigration and Customs Enforcement के तथाकथित “Operation Metro Surge” के साल की शुरुआत में लगभग समाप्त होने के बाद हुई है। • अमेरिकी न्याय विभाग ने मंगलवार को Guardian को दिए एक बयान में कहा, “आज FBI, संघीय, राज्य और स्थानीय कानून प्रवर्तन एजेंसियों के साथ मिलकर एक चल रही धोखाधड़ी जांच के हिस्से के रूप में अदालत द्वारा अधिकृत कानून प्रवर्तन गतिविधि में शामिल है।”

विशेष: राज्य सरकार कानूनों को मजबूत करने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध है, जबकि Higgins ने महिलाओं की सुरक्षा के मुद्दों पर Albanese सरकार की प्रतिक्रिया को 'निराशाजनक' बताया है।

• 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...