Thursday, 23 April 2026

The Trump administration announced it is reclassifying marijuana from Schedule I (same category as heroin and LSD) to Schedule III, moving FDA-approved and state-regulated marijuana out of the most restrictive category. This action loosens federal restrictions on medical marijuana.

The Trump administration is pushing the Department of Justice to pursue denaturalization cases against foreign-born U.S. citizens, with the Justice Department already identifying 384 individuals whose citizenship it seeks to revoke.

The Pentagon announced Navy Secretary John Phelan was departing 'effective immediately,' with Undersecretary Hung Cao taking over. Sources indicate the firing was caused by poor relationship with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and slow movement on Trump's shipbuilding priorities.

Senate Republicans advanced a $140 billion bill to fund Trump's immigration crackdown, boosting ICE and CBP funding. The bill cleared a 50-48 vote as Democrats opposed the measure during an ongoing DHS shutdown.

Trump and Iran have each maintained separate blockades in the Strait of Hormuz as tensions continue. Iran seized two ships in the critical waterway and declared it 'impossible' to reopen the strait amid alleged ceasefire breaches.

Trump's disapproval rating has hit its highest level of his second term, with weakening poll numbers attributed to rising gas prices from the Iran war and growing American concerns about the economy.

Trump announced he is renovating the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, which he characterized as 'filthy.' The pool is more than 2,000 feet long and was the site of Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech.

Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to extend their cease-fire by three weeks following a White House meeting where he hosted Israeli and Lebanese diplomats.

Trump administration issued an order to speed up hallucinogen research for potential medical applications. The move was hailed as a 'threshold moment' by supporters but concerns remain over access and protections.

A federal judge repealed the Trump administration's ban on gender-affirming care for children. Trans advocates hailed the ruling as a 'huge step forward' and 'meaningful win for patients,' marking another loss for the RFK Jr. health agenda.