Saturday, 12 September 2026

A federal judge ruled that Trump administration's plan to halve FEMA's workforce was illegal, finding that the Department of Homeland Security unlawfully usurped FEMA's authority to reduce staffing during hurricane season.

A federal court rejected Trump's emergency executive order to keep a Michigan coal plant open, ruling the Energy Department exceeded its authority in extending the plant's operation.

Trump stated during his Ireland visit that he would 'love' to see Ireland unified and said unification 'may as well happen now,' breaking with decades of official US neutrality on the politically sensitive issue of Irish unity.

Trump visited Ireland for two days, meeting with Irish President Catherine Connolly and Prime Minister Micheál Martin before attending the Irish Open golf tournament at his Doonbeg resort. The visit drew thousands of protesters opposed to his politics and foreign policy.

Trump indicated a trade deal with Canada could come 'fairly soon,' while the two countries remain locked in an escalating tariff dispute with no formal talks confirmed. The trade war is squeezing Canadian businesses and affecting cross-border commerce.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul pardoned a convicted noncitizen, effectively mooting a Supreme Court case on bond hearing rights for detained immigrants facing deportation that the Trump administration had been pursuing.

Most Americans can expect to pay significantly more for health insurance next year through employer plans, the ACA marketplace, or Medicare, according to reports indicating substantial premium increases taking effect in 2027.

A New York Times analysis documented how Trump has harnessed government agencies to curtail press freedoms through a sweeping campaign that free speech advocates warn will have lasting effects on media independence.

Trump demanded that the Smithsonian Institution install a 30-foot 'Colossus' statue of George Washington to replace a modern sculpture, proposing an exhibit to run through February 2032 (the 300th anniversary of Washington's birth), continuing his pattern of attempting to reshape cultural institutions.

High prices and inflation continue to spoil Trump's midterm appeal as gas prices remain elevated, mortgage rates climb, and consumer confidence hits record lows, complicating Republican efforts to maintain control of Congress amid growing cost-of-living concerns.

Crypto billionaire Ben Delo, who was convicted in the US for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls but was pardoned by Trump, donated a record £36 million to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. A second crypto billionaire, Christopher Harborne, matched the donation the following day, bringing the total to £72 million in 24 hours.