Wednesday, 20 May 2026

President Trump reached a deal with the Justice Department granting himself and family members immunity from federal tax investigations, effectively barring the IRS from pursuing tax claims against them. The arrangement has drawn criticism from legal experts and lawmakers who view it as an unprecedented use of executive power to shield personal financial interests from federal oversight.

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Trump critic and seven-term Kentucky incumbent, lost his Republican House primary on May 19 to retired Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein, who was backed by President Trump. The race demonstrated Trump's continued influence over GOP primary voters and his willingness to target fellow Republicans who have challenged his positions.

President Trump endorsed state Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Texas Republican primary, drawing expressions of frustration and disappointment from Senate GOP members. The move reflected Trump's broader pattern of purging Republicans he views as insufficiently loyal.

Federal prosecutors announced charges against former Cuban President Raúl Castro for the 1996 downing of civilian planes operated by Miami-based exiles, as part of the Trump administration's escalated pressure on the Cuban government. The indictment represents one of several aggressive moves against Cuba.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing days after Trump's visit to China, with the two leaders reaffirming their close ties and criticizing U.S. foreign policy. The back-to-back diplomatic visits illustrated shifting geopolitical dynamics during the ongoing Iran conflict.

The European Union approved a tariff deal with the United States to cap tariffs on most EU exports at 15%, averting a direct trade conflict with the Trump administration ahead of a July 4 deadline. The agreement followed intense internal EU debate over Trump's threats to increase tariffs and take control of Greenland.

Retired Capitol and DC police officers filed a lawsuit alleging that Trump's $1.8 billion fund to support January 6 rioters and allies constitutes unlawful presidential corruption. The suit challenges the legal mechanisms that allow the fund to operate.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the two leaders of an influential federal task force that determines when insurance must provide free preventive care like mammograms for millions of Americans. The move signals potential shifts in health policy under the Trump administration.

Healthcare workers in eastern Congo reported being underprotected and undertrained amid a rapidly spreading outbreak of rare Bundibugyo Ebola virus, with the World Health Organization declaring it a public health emergency of international concern. The response has been hampered by security concerns and lack of resources.

U.S. wheat production faces potential decline to its worst level since 1972 due to drought, tariffs, and high fertilizer costs, leaving farmers in western Kansas and other regions uncertain about this year's harvest. The agricultural crisis reflects broader economic pressures facing the farming sector.