Pick

Fred Beyer shocked NFL Draft fans after sneaking onto the stage and announcing a fake Pittsburgh Steelers pick. Using fake credentials, he entered a restricted area before security stopped him. The NFL later gave him an indefinite league-wide ban and warned he could be arrested if he attends future events.

David Brat represented Virginia in the House of Representatives for two termsThe White House has nominated David Brat, a former Republican member of the US House of Representatives, to be the next ambassador to Australia.Brat represented Virginia in Congress and served two terms before he was defeated by a Democrat in 2018 in a close race. He is currently a vice-president of business relations at Virginia’s Liberty University. Continue reading...

• The Los Angeles Rams selected University of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. • Simpson represents the Rams' strategic investment at the quarterback position during the draft's opening round. • The selection reflects the Rams' ongoing efforts to address their roster needs through the draft.

• The New Orleans Saints completed a trade acquiring a former top-10 draft pick, signaling aggressive roster building by the franchise. • The transaction represents the Saints' strategic approach to addressing roster needs during the offseason. • The move reflects New Orleans' commitment to competitive roster construction ahead of the upcoming NFL season.

• The Kansas City Chiefs addressed their defensive needs in the second round of the NFL Draft, selecting edge rusher R Mason Thomas with the No. 40 overall pick. • Thomas, who played college football at Oklahoma, brings defensive edge capabilities to bolster the Chiefs' pass rush. • The selection reflects the Chiefs' focus on building their defensive line strength heading into the 2026 season.

Kevin Warsh, Trump’s ‘central casting’, has a long road ahead of convincing board members to lower interest ratesDonald Trump’s fate is to be frustrated by monetary policy.Even assuming he gets his way and Kevin Warsh succeeds Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve next month, it is unlikely that the president will finally gain control of the Fed. Continue reading...

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...

• The New York Giants traded defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL Draft, less than two weeks after Lawrence requested a trade. • The deal gives the Giants two first-round picks, opening numerous draft options ahead of this week's selections. • This blockbuster move shakes up draft projections and bolsters Cincinnati's defensive line with Lawrence's elite talent.

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...

Shortage of pickled mini-cucumbers has caused Pret a Manger to pull its jambon beurre from the shelvesWith their sharp flavour and crunch, pickled cucumbers are an essential component of any sandwich worth its salt.But an unexpected shortage of cornichons has caused consternation in sandwich shops across the country as cafes scramble to get their hands on jars of the small green pickles. Continue reading...

• The New England Patriots selected USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, beginning their franchise rebuild. • Williams threw for 4,200 yards and 38 touchdowns in his final college season while completing 72% of his passes. • Patriots head coach Bill Belichick emphasized Williams' arm strength, decision-making, and leadership qualities in the selection.

White House says Maga influencer appointed to role for tourism, exceptionalism and American valuesDonald Trump’s appointment of Nick Adams, the “alpha male” Australian turned American internet provocateur as a new special presidential envoy on Tuesday, could give fuel to theories that the White House is deliberately trolling the world.The president nominated the Sydney-born Maga influencer, who has a history of theatrically inflammatory and Islamophobic comments, as ambassador to Malaysia in July, but the Senate returned the appointment without a confirmation vote in January and Trump did not re-submit him. Continue reading...

• Markwayne Mullin appeared before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on March 18 for his confirmation hearing as Trump's DHS nominee, replacing fired Secretary Kristi Noem, and pledged to secure funding for the department amid a Democratic standoff over immigration enforcement constraints. • Mullin defended Trump's mass deportation agenda against Democratic concerns about aggressive enforcement operations, while Republican Sen. Rand Paul challenged Democrats' criticism and Mullin stated "We just don't get along" with Paul during heated exchanges. • Democrats, led by Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, expressed reservations about Mullin's readiness, citing reports that DHS officers have been accused of smashing car windows, roughing up bystanders recording activities, and detaining immigrants in poor conditions.

Senator backed restructuring the disaster agency but dodged questions on staffing, leaving officials uneasy over readiness and leadershipSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxThe confirmation hearing for Markwayne Mullin, Donald Trump’s pick to replace Kristi Noem as the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), left disaster management officials and experts concerned about what his tenure would mean for the future of the main US disaster response agency.The Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), which DHS oversees, coordinates federal response efforts to disasters such as hurricanes, floods and wildfires. Continue reading...

Oklahoma senator has repeatedly made cryptic claims about ‘overseas’ work and war experience, while refusing to explain themMarkwayne Mullin, the Oklahoma senator chosen by Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security who will be considered by the Senate on Wednesday, has never served in the US military, but he routinely speaks as if he did in interviews.Two days after the US attacked Iran, for instance, Mullin told Fox News: “War is ugly. It smells bad. And if anybody has ever been there and been able to smell the war that’s happening around you and taste it, and feel it in your nostrils, and hear it, it’s something you’ll never forget. And it’s ugly.” Continue reading...