President Trump tightens federal hiring rules and signs a memo to ensure troops are paid as the government shutdown drags on, and a federal judge today temporarily blocked the administration from firing federal workers during the impasse. Meanwhile, President Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel today touted the results of Operation Summer Heat.

The Supreme Court today heard arguments about a high-profile case over Louisiana's Congressional District map. The outcome of the racial gerrymandering case could have an impact on the balance of power in the federal legislative branch, and the 2026 midterm election.

President Trump today confirmed that the U.S. is now in a trade war with China. The United States is signaling it may take drastic steps in response to China’s tightening grip on rare earth minerals—metals used in defense and technology industries. Meanwhile, President Trump announced that India has agreed to stop buying oil from Russia.