Mary McCue Bell

Cybersecurity concerns found in DHS smartphones during the Biden administration

Offices within the Biden-era Department of Homeland Security did not effectively secure their employees' mobile devices, leading to a higher risk of cyberattacks and unauthorized access to sensitive information, according to a new report from the department's internal watchdog.

June 24, 2026

House committee advances bill to ban lawmakers from government-related bets on prediction markets

A bill barring members of Congress and their family members from placing government-related bets on prediction markets narrowly passed a House panel.

June 24, 2026

Democrats challenge postmaster general on legality of USPS monitoring mail-in ballots

Postmaster General David Steiner told a congressional panel Wednesday that under President Trump's mandate requiring states to provide lists of voters who received mailed ballots, the Postal Service won't deliver ballots in states where officials refuse to comply.

June 24, 2026

RNC sues to stop Nebraska election law that allows nonresidents to vote

Nebraska is being sued over a state election law that allows certain individuals who have never resided in the state to vote in its elections.

June 23, 2026

Judge says food stamps can be used to buy candy, soda

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration cannot bar the use of food stamps to buy candy and sugary drinks.

June 23, 2026

Brooklyn coffee shop’s banning of Dem lawmaker over pro-Israel stance prompts DOJ probe

The Justice Department has launched an investigation into a Brooklyn coffee shop that banned Rep. Dan Goldman for his pro-Israel stance.

June 23, 2026

DOJ sues New York over federal agent mask ban

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit challenging New York's mask ban, which bars federal law enforcement officers from covering their faces.

June 23, 2026

Tucker Carlson quits the GOP: ‘I’m out’

Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has lost hope in the Republican Party.

June 23, 2026

Son of crypto-friendly senator raises $30 million for derivative exchange startup

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has made cryptocurrency regulation a signature issue, but her 22-year-old son is taking a different path -- launching a derivatives exchange that has no crypto or blockchain technology.

June 20, 2026

Kash Patel accused of giving bonuses to FBI loyalists

FBI Director Kash Patel has been accused of directing taxpayer-funded bonus payments to political allies at the agency, pulling from what Rep. Jamie Raskin calls his "personal slush fund."

June 20, 2026

Kennedy Center eyes ‘partial closure’ after judge blocks full shutdown for renovation

The Trump administration told a federal judge Friday that the Kennedy Center may be looking at a "partial closure," even as a previous ruling required the performing arts center to stay open, effectively blocking it from shutting its doors for a two-year renovation.

June 20, 2026

Iran closes Strait of Hormuz, blaming Israel for violating ceasefire

Iran said it's shutting down the Strait of Hormuz just three days after it reopened, citing Israel's strikes in Lebanon amid a fragile ceasefire agreement.

June 20, 2026

Trump says ‘vandalism’ caused Reflecting Pool’s paint peeling

President Trump said that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was vandalized, comments that come on the heels of an algae bloom and peeling paint after the more than $14 million renovation.

June 20, 2026

Van Hollen ‘kicking the tires’ over a 2028 presidential bid

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a sharp critic of President Trump, is mulling over a 2028 presidential bid.

June 20, 2026

Rep. Thomas Kean set to return to Congress June 30 after three-month illness

The House's missing lawmaker, Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., will be returning to Washington by the end of the month after leaving Capitol Hill more than 100 days ago.

June 19, 2026

Texas judge can’t be punished for refusing to officiate same-sex weddings, court rules

A district court has sided with a Texas judge who recused herself from performing same-sex weddings on account of her Christian faith.

June 19, 2026

NYC carriage horse industry on pause after teenage tourist death in Central Park

A teenager's death after being thrown from a horse carriage in Central Park has prompted the age-old New York City attraction to shut down temporarily.

June 19, 2026

Blue coating is peeling off bottom of newly renovated Reflecting Pool

Blue material at the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is peeling off, less than two weeks after the more than $14 million renovation was completed.

June 19, 2026

NIL reform legislation advances to Senate floor for full vote

Legislation that complements President Trump's executive order on name, image and likeness in college sports is advancing to the Senate floor.

June 18, 2026

Senators threaten Hegseth’s travel budget to get disclosures about military strikes

Tucked inside the Senate's annual National Defense Authorization Act is a provision to withhold 75% of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's travel budget unless the Pentagon turns over information on the bombing of an Iranian elementary school and the U.S. strikes on alleged drug boats.

June 18, 2026