Key Events (10)
President Trump announced he is postponing a planned military attack on Iran scheduled for Tuesday, citing that 'serious negotiations are now taking place' after Tehran made a new proposal to end the war. Trump warned Iran that the 'clock is ticking' on negotiations, stating there 'won't be anything left' of the country if it does not reach an agreement.
President Trump voluntarily withdrew his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns, with reports indicating a settlement was near completion. The motion to dismiss was filed in federal court on May 18.
The Department of Justice established a $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund to compensate people it claims were wronged by the federal government, a group that could largely consist of Trump allies including January 6 rioters. Democratic lawmakers criticized the fund as raising 'the specter of corruption unparalleled'.
Trump's approval rating has dropped to 37%, hitting its lowest point of his second term, according to polling conducted days after he indicated that Americans' financial situation was not motivating him to secure a deal with Iran. The New York Times/Siena poll showed voters questioning his handling of the economy amid the unpopular Iran war.
The Senate confirmed Steve Pearce as head of the Bureau of Land Management, giving Trump's pick authority to oversee management of approximately 250 million acres of public lands concentrated in Western states. Pearce, a former Republican congressman, was confirmed on May 18.
A strike by the Long Island Rail Road, which had brought North America's largest commuter rail system to a standstill, ended after negotiators reached a deal between the railroad and union leaders on May 18. The two sides had bargained for years before reaching the agreement.
Trump administration officials announced plans to repeal EPA limits on 'forever chemicals' (PFAS) in drinking water, actions criticized by opponents as 'hocus pocus' from RFK Jr. and EPA head Lee Zeldin. The effort represents a reversal of Biden-era environmental rules.
A study by the Brookings Institution estimated that over 145,000 US children have been separated from their parents since Trump's ICE surge, with approximately 36% of those separated children younger than six years old. The figure reflects the impact of expanded immigration enforcement operations.
Trump's immigration crackdown could cost up to $479 billion in lost federal tax revenue over 10 years, according to analysis, as IRS data sharing with immigration authorities and ICE raids have made filing taxes risky for undocumented workers. The policy threatens significant economic consequences through reduced tax compliance.
Three people were killed in a shooting at San Diego's largest mosque on May 18, with two teenage suspects also dying from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to police. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the community.