National Politics

By Haley Britzky and Michael Conte, CNN (CNN) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin faced tough questions from members of Congress on Thursday in a hearing focused on his days-long delay notifying both lawmakers and President Joe Biden about his whereabouts after he was hospitalized following treatment for prostate cancer. Austin, who is still recovering from

By Sean Lyngaas and Samantha Waldenberg, CNN (CNN) — The US Commerce Department is opening an investigation into the national security risks posed by foreign-made hardware and software in smart cars, particularly Chinese-made technology, the department announced Thursday. The new investigation — which could lead to regulations restricting the use of certain car parts in the US

By Manu Raju and Ted Barrett, CNN The under-the-radar race to replace Mitch McConnell is a wide-open affair with no clear front-runner, according to many GOP senators, as the top contenders begin jockeying to win over their colleagues for a position central to their party’s agenda and strategy. The election to succeed McConnell – the

By Alex Marquardt, CNN (CNN) — American administration and intelligence officials are concerned that Israel is planning a ground incursion into Lebanon that could be launched in the late spring or early summer if diplomatic efforts fail to push Hezbollah back from the northern border with Israel, senior administrations officials and officials familiar with the

Analysis by Joan Biskupic, CNN Senior Supreme Court Analyst (CNN) — The Supreme Court’s decision to hear Donald Trump’s claim that he should be shielded from criminal prosecution keeps the justices at the center of election-year controversy for several more months and means any verdict on Trump’s alleged subversion of the 2020 vote will not come

By Jennifer Hansler, CNN (CNN) — The United States is looking into possible airdrops of aid into Gaza as the humanitarian crisis there deepens and assistance fails to reach the people in the war-torn strip, two US officials told CNN on Wednesday. US officials have consistently said much more must be done in order for critically needed assistance to reach those

CNN By Marshall Cohen, CNN (CNN) — In a surprise move, an Illinois judge has removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s ballot based on the 14th Amendment’s so-called “insurrectionist ban.” The decision is paused, giving Trump a short period of time to appeal. Wednesday’s unexpected decision comes as a similar anti-Trump challenge from

By Michelle Shen, CNN Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York was sworn into Congress on Wednesday evening after winning a special election earlier this month that captured the nation’s attention to fill the US House seat of expelled Republican Rep. George Santos. Suozzi’s entrance into Congress further narrows an already slim GOP majority in

By Marshall Cohen, CNN (CNN) — In a surprise move, an Illinois judge has removed former President Donald Trump from the state’s ballot based on the 14th Amendment’s so-called “insurrectionist ban.” The decision is paused, giving Trump a short period of time to appeal. Wednesday’s unexpected decision comes as a similar anti-Trump challenge from Colorado

By Lauren Fox and Ted Barrett, CNN A powerful counterweight to former President Donald Trump is exiting stage left from Republican leadership and leaving in his wake a major showdown over the future of the party. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s decision to step aside as the longest serving Senate leader in history comes as Republicans are at an inflection

CNN By Nick Valencia, Zachary Cohen and Jason Morris, CNN (CNN) — A key witness in the push to disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis from the Georgia election case against Donald Trump had a much deeper involvement in the effort than was previously known, according to hundreds of text messages obtained by CNN. The 413

By Daniel Dale, CNN (CNN) — Former President Donald Trump is facing two prosecutions brought by a federal special counsel and two prosecutions brought by local district attorneys. Trump claimed on social media on Monday that all four prosecutions violate strict Justice Department rules, since he is a candidate for president, and therefore must be stopped

CNN By Alexandra Banner, CNN (CNN) — Today is February 29, a leap day that occurs every four years to keep our calendar in sync with the seasons. Without the extra days, the summer we generally experience in June would eventually arrive in December after several centuries. Here’s what else you need to know to Get

By CNN Staff (CNN) — The White House on Wednesday shared a memo with President Joe Biden’s “current health summary” following his annual routine physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The president, Dr. Kevin O’Connor wrote, “feels well and this year’s physical identified no new concerns. He continues to be fit for duty

By Morgan Rimmer, CNN Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi blocked quick passage of a bill on Wednesday afternoon that would have enshrined protections for in vitro fertilization and for the doctors who perform the procedure. Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois requested to pass the bill by unanimous consent, meaning any one senator could block

CNN Analysis by Joan Biskupic, CNN Senior Supreme Court Analyst (CNN) — The Supreme Court’s decision to hear Donald Trump’s claim that he should be shielded from criminal prosecution keeps the justices at the center of election-year controversy for several more months and means any verdict on Trump’s alleged subversion of the 2020 vote will not

By John Fritze, CNN (CNN) — The Supreme Court agreed Wednesday to decide whether Donald Trump may claim immunity in special counsel Jack Smith’s election subversion case, adding another explosive appeal from the former president to its docket and further delaying his federal trial. The court expedited the case and will hear arguments the week

By Fredreka Schouten, CNN (CNN) — The Democratic-controlled New York Legislature on Wednesday swiftly approved a new congressional map that would give the party a modest advantage in US House elections this fall – just days after rejecting lines drawn by an independent redistricting commission. Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the map into law later