Washington Times - Politics, Breaking News, US and World News

‘History is calling’: Congress gives Trump power to sanction Russian oil buyers with 100% tariffs

Russian President Vladimir Putin, foreground right, speaks with members of the military in the Kremlin in Moscow on Friday, June 12, 2026, as Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, right, stands nearby. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) **FILE**

By Lindsey McPherson and Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

All eyes are on President Trump after Congress on Wednesday passed a long-awaited economic sanctions bill targeting Russia and the countries financing its war against Ukraine.

U.S. must be ready to win battles in space, around moon, Joint Chiefs chairman says

In this image provided by NASA, the Artemis II crew captured this view of the Earth next to the Moon before Earthset during a lunar flyby, Monday, April 6, 2026. (NASA via AP)

By Ben Wolfgang and Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

The U.S. must be ready to fight and win 21st-century battles on or around the moon, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a major speech Wednesday, as the once-futuristic idea of warfare in space edges closer to reality.

In this image provided by NASA, the Artemis II crew captured this view of the Earth next to the Moon before Earthset during a lunar flyby, Monday, April 6, 2026. (NASA via AP)

U.S. must be ready to win battles in space, around moon, Joint Chiefs chairman says

By Ben Wolfgang and Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella salutes after taking the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File)

Latin Americans lured by Russian, Ukrainian job offers end up on war’s front lines

By Joseph Hammond - Special to The Washington Times

Michael Whatley, North Carolina senatorial get each other during a campaign rally at the Gastonia Municipal Airport, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Gastonia, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Trump rallies party faithful for Whatley in North Carolina with tough-on-crime, $5,000 pledge

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Texas state Rep. James Talarico speaks at a food drive at the Frederick Douglass Human Services and Justice Center, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Talarico dragged down by drag queen in toss-up Texas Senate race

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

FBI Director Kash Patel testifies during the Senate Judiciary hearing on Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

FBI reveals sharp increase in spying, other intelligence operations by China

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

Happening Now

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Texas state Rep. James Talarico speaks at a food drive at the Frederick Douglass Human Services and Justice Center, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Talarico dragged down by drag queen in toss-up Texas Senate race

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

FBI Director Kash Patel testifies during the Senate Judiciary hearing on Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

FBI reveals sharp increase in spying, other intelligence operations by China

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

House GOP flees D.C. to avoid Hegseth impeachment vote

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

This photo taken with a smartphone shows opponents of data centers conversing behind a sign while preparing for a rally Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026 at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)

House listens to anti-data center voters, passes ‘modest’ Ratepayer Protection Act

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

Commentary View all

Trump the magician and his dividend checks to American citizens illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Free money for everyone! Trump gets desperate as crushing midterm losses loom

By Joseph Curl

Control of Artificial Intelligence (AI) illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Will AI bring about doomsday?

By Cal Thomas

Another 9/11 terrorist attack in the United States of America illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

We cannot miss the warning signs of another 9/11

By Joseph R. DeTrani

Fairfax County Public Schools' budget crisis illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Fairfax County Public Schools’ budget crunch puts bureaucracy in focus

By Stephanie Lundquist-Arora

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Houthis believe Iran war momentum has shifted

By Carl O. Schuster

Culture View all

Ohio Democrat, Rep. Joyce Beatty, speaks at press conference, Tuesday, April 28, 2026 in Washington, following a federal court hearing on lawsuit she has filed in the renaming and pending closure of the Kennedy Center by the Trump Administration. Her lawyer, Norm Eisen, is right. (AP Photo/Gary Fields)

Rep. Beatty asks judge to block Kennedy Center closure

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

AOC boycotts Ed Sheeran, blames Robert Kraft for Macklemore’s tour exit

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

Artist Peter Max poses for a photo during his retrospective with the Road Show Company exhibit, Sept. 6, 2014, in Northbrook Court mall in Northbrook, Ill. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP, File)

The psychedelic pop artist Peter Max has died at 88, his son says

By Beth J. Harpaz - Associated Press

This 2026 photo provided by UCLA shows scientist Robert Eagle holding a Tyrannosaurus rex tooth that was used to measure the dinosaur’s body temperature. (UCLA via AP)

The T. rex had a body temperature similar to our own, study finds

By Adithi Ramakrishnan - Associated Press

View all

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency on Thursday, Oct 23, 2025, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) convenes its fourth plenary session in Beijing. (Li Xiang/Xinhua via AP)

Inside the Chinese intel chief’s warning about AI

Wednesday, September 16 2026

Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella salutes after taking the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File)

Latin Americans lured by Russian, Ukrainian job offers end up on war’s front lines

By Joseph Hammond - Special to The Washington Times

This image from video provided by U.S. Central Command shows a missile being launched from a U.S. Navy ship in support of Operation Epic Fury on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (U.S. Central Command via AP) **FILE**

Pentagon watchdog says Epic Fury has left U.S. military with ammo shortfall

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Arming the United States of America's military and costs around the world illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Commentary
Arming the U.S. military for the new cold war

By Clifford D. May

Trump Central View all

President Donald Trump speaks during the RNC Midterm Convention, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump suggests EU allowing Canada as associate member could be a ‘hostile act’

Associated Press

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Shannon Airport, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Shannon, Ireland. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump administration has cut or frozen $177 billion in grants across every state, analysis shows

By Mike Catalini - Associated Press

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Shannon Airport, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Shannon, Ireland. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump insists on lower interest rates, hours after Fed raises them

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Dr. Nicole Saphier, surgeon general nominee, testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions during a confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Dr. Nicole Saphier, Trump’s 3rd surgeon general pick, faces Senate questions over her vaccine stance

By Fatima Hussein and Ali Swenson - Associated Press

Campaign 2026 View all

Michael Whatley, North Carolina senatorial get each other during a campaign rally at the Gastonia Municipal Airport, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Gastonia, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Trump rallies party faithful for Whatley in North Carolina with tough-on-crime, $5,000 pledge

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Texas state Rep. James Talarico speaks at a food drive at the Frederick Douglass Human Services and Justice Center, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Talarico dragged down by drag queen in toss-up Texas Senate race

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, speaks at the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee confirmation hearing for South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Secretary of Homeland Security, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

Ohio’s GOP senators push bill to block illegal immigrant licenses

By Kerry Picket - The Washington Times

Kamala Harris, former Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate, arrives during the National Action Network (NAN) Convention in New York, April 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, File)

Kamala Harris will make campaign stop with Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

Politics View all

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

House GOP flees D.C. to avoid Hegseth impeachment vote

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

Russian President Vladimir Putin, foreground right, speaks with members of the military in the Kremlin in Moscow on Friday, June 12, 2026, as Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, right, stands nearby. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) **FILE**

‘History is calling’: Congress gives Trump power to sanction Russian oil buyers with 100% tariffs

By Lindsey McPherson and Ben Wolfgang - The Washington Times

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, speaks before the House Judiciary Committee at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

House subpoenas Fairfax County’s prosecutor over sanctuary policy fight

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

This photo taken with a smartphone shows opponents of data centers conversing behind a sign while preparing for a rally Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026 at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)

House listens to anti-data center voters, passes ‘modest’ Ratepayer Protection Act

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

Dive Deeper View all

President Donald Trump tours "Alligator Alcatraz," a new migrant detention facility at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, on July 1, 2025, in Ochopee, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Florida’s former ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ kept migrants in metal cages: DHS inspector general

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

The U.S. Capitol is seen from the Washington Monument in Washington, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Kill switch, monitors, moratoriums: Many plans but no consensus as Congress debates regulating AI

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

FBI Director Kash Patel testifies during the Senate Judiciary hearing on Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Patel touts record crime drop, stands by Flock cameras before Senate panel

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Albuquerque residents Michael Caldwell, left, and his wife, Natasha Caldwell, attend a Second Amendment Protest in response to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's recent public health order suspending the conceal and open carry of guns in and around Albuquerque for 30 days, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, in Albuquerque, N.M. Natasha said, "We came to stand for the Constitution and out of anger about what's happening with this health order." Restrictions on carrying guns in public that are tied to an emergency public health order are going under the legal microscope on Tuesday, Oct. 3, in New Mexico. (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales) **FILE**

The FBI says 16 shooters were stopped by civilians. One researcher counts 225

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

National View all

Amazon increases minimum starting hourly wage for full-time core operations employees

By Anne D'Innocenzio - Associated Press

The United States Department of Justice sign in Washington, D.C., on July 12, 2017. Paul Brady Photography / Shutterstock.com ** FILE **

Hitman who dismembered bodies for cartel slapped with terrorism charge

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

School bus with stop sign. (Photo credit: Jerry Horbert via Shutterstock) ** FILE **

Chicago school bus aide faces charges after 12-year-old finds gun on bus, fires it

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

People stand at the rim of the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz., on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/John Locher) **FILE**

Human remains found in Grand Canyon National Park weeks after floods killed 2, left 1 missing

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

World View all

In this image provided by NASA, the Artemis II crew captured this view of the Earth next to the Moon before Earthset during a lunar flyby, Monday, April 6, 2026. (NASA via AP)

U.S. must be ready to win battles in space, around moon, Joint Chiefs chairman says

By Ben Wolfgang and Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

FBI Director Kash Patel testifies during the Senate Judiciary hearing on Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

FBI reveals sharp increase in spying, other intelligence operations by China

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

Colombia's President Abelardo de la Espriella salutes after taking the oath of office in Cali, Colombia, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File)

Latin Americans lured by Russian, Ukrainian job offers end up on war’s front lines

By Joseph Hammond - Special to The Washington Times

Russian President Vladimir Putin, foreground right, speaks with members of the military in the Kremlin in Moscow on Friday, June 12, 2026, as Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, right, stands nearby. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) **FILE**

U.S. accuses Kremlin of plot to kill Russian dissidents in America, Europe

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Sports View all

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus, Ohio on April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) **FILE**

LOVERRO: Ovechkin’s disheartening, demoralizing connection to Putin

By Thom Loverro

Washington Capitals right wing Justin Sourdif (34) fights through contact from Calgary Flames defenseman Brayden Pachal (94) to maintain possession of the puck at Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C., March 9, 2026. (Photo by Brian Murphy for the Washington Times)

Capitals’ Sourdif agrees to 8-year, $50.8 million deal following promising rookie season

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) leaves the field after a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)

NFL teams only need to look back a year to see how little a Week 1 loss might mean

By Josh Dubow - Associated Press

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Wheeler pitches seven innings in Phillies’ shutout of Nationals

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Higher Ground View all

Reading time in an elementary school classroom. File photo credit: dotshock via Shutterstock.

‘No child should be forced’: California school district settles a gender lesson lawsuit

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

The 16th Street Baptist Church is seen Sept. 9, 2026, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

16th Street Baptist Church marks bombing anniversary with a new visitor center

By Kim Chandler - Associated Press

A woman looks at a UFO display outside of the Little A'Le'Inn, in Rachel, Nev., the closest town to Area 51, July 22, 2019. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

LISTEN: UFOs, aliens and the Bible are compatible beliefs

By Cheryl K. Chumley - The Washington Times

Illustration on increased costs of daycare by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Commentary
Stay-at-home parents need help

By Editorial Board - The Washington Times

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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

House GOP flees D.C. to avoid Hegseth impeachment vote

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This photo taken with a smartphone shows opponents of data centers conversing behind a sign while preparing for a rally Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026 at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)

House listens to anti-data center voters, passes ‘modest’ Ratepayer Protection Act

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Kamala Harris, former Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate, arrives during the National Action Network (NAN) Convention in New York, April 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, File)

Kamala Harris will make campaign stop with Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan Senate race

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Shannon Airport, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Shannon, Ireland. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump insists on lower interest rates, hours after Fed raises them

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Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, speaks before the House Judiciary Committee at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

House subpoenas Fairfax County’s prosecutor over sanctuary policy fight

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., who is under threat of censure, is met by reporters as he walks to a closed-door meeting with Republican lawmakers at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Rep. Edwards files ethics complaint against panel leaders who recommended his censure

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Leon Black, a billionaire who was linked to Jeffrey Epstein, arrives for a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

House holds Leon Black in contempt of Congress over Epstein probe subpoena

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Ohio Democrat, Rep. Joyce Beatty, speaks at press conference, Tuesday, April 28, 2026 in Washington, following a federal court hearing on lawsuit she has filed in the renaming and pending closure of the Kennedy Center by the Trump Administration. Her lawyer, Norm Eisen, is right. (AP Photo/Gary Fields)

Rep. Beatty asks judge to block Kennedy Center closure

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

The main gate to Paramount Studios is seen on Melrose Avenue, July 8, 2015, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

Paramount signals exit from California amid merger fight

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

School bus with stop sign. (Photo credit: Jerry Horbert via Shutterstock) ** FILE **

Chicago school bus aide faces charges after 12-year-old finds gun on bus, fires it

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

The United States Department of Justice sign in Washington, D.C., on July 12, 2017. Paul Brady Photography / Shutterstock.com ** FILE **

Hitman who dismembered bodies for cartel slapped with terrorism charge

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., speaks at an event with President Donald Trump at Rockland Community College, Friday, May 22, 2026, in Suffern, N.Y. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) **FILE**

House bipartisan group floats congressional redistricting changes to stop partisan map wars

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

Russian President Vladimir Putin, foreground right, speaks with members of the military in the Kremlin in Moscow on Friday, June 12, 2026, as Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, right, stands nearby. (Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) **FILE**

U.S. accuses Kremlin of plot to kill Russian dissidents in America, Europe

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., speaks during a news conference, Wednesday, May 27, 2026, regarding the implosion of a Nippon Dynawave Packaging Co. tank containing hazardous liquid in Longview, Wash. (Karen Ducey/The Seattle Times via AP) ** FILE **

Zyn tells Democratic lawmaker to quit using its brand

By George Caldwell - The Washington Times

A Flock Safety license plate reader is seen along a public road, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

Arlington County cancels Flock camera contract amid public surveillance fears

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

FILE - A person types on a computer keyboard in New York, Oct. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

How federal telework fraud actually gets caught, and why it takes so long

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

Pickup trucks travel in a mass funeral procession for Houthi officers and other military personnel in Sanaa, Yemen, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (AP Photo)

Saudi-backed forces in Yemen step up strikes against Houthis as oil crisis escalates

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner joins immigrant rights supporters as they demonstrate during a May Day rally outside the federal courthouse in Philadelphia, May 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Federal judge refers Philadelphia’s district attorney for prosecution

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as seen from the Washington Monument, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Board votes to close Kennedy Center immediately, but Trump says no repairs until his name is added

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, holds his daughter Aliya as he waits in line for early voting at the Polk County Election Office, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

House passes third war powers resolution to end Iran conflict, picks up three new GOP supporters

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times