United States Archives - Page 2 of 30

EPA froze ‘green bank’ funds worth billions, climate group suit says

WASHINGTON (AP) — A nonprofit that was awarded nearly $7 billion by the Biden administration to finance clean energy and climate-friendly projects has sued the Environmental Protection Agency, accusing it of improperly freezing its account. Climate United Fund, a coalition of three nonprofit groups, demanded access to a Citibank account it received through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a program created by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and more commonly known as the green bank. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has accused the Biden administration and fund recipients of misconduct and waste. Climate United said those allegations have no merit. Without access to their account, Climate United said it’s hard to issue loans or even pay staff.… Continue Reading

House GOP campaign chairman says voters will ‘reward us’ for the Trump-Musk DOGE cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of the House Republican campaign committee is already predicting his party will pick up seats in the midterm election that are some 20 months away. Republican Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina also says in an Associated Press interview that the Department of Government Efficiency’s cuts are resonating with voters. Hudson and House Speaker Mike Johnson have told fellow Republicans to skip hosting town hall meetings because the gatherings are being disrupted by protesters angry over the cuts. But Hudson says Republicans are confident their budget-cutting puts them “on the side of the angels.” Democrats believe they have a chance to win back the House majority in 2026.… Continue Reading

Judge orders Trump administration to pay nearly $2 billion in USAID and State Dept. debts

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has given the Trump administration until Monday to pay nearly $2 billion owed to partners of the U.S. Agency for International Development and State Department. Thursday’s decision thaws the administration’s six-week funding freeze on all foreign assistance. U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled in favor of nonprofit groups and businesses that sued over the funding freeze, which has forced organizations around the world to slash services and lay off thousands of workers. Ali issued his order a day after a divided Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s bid to freeze funding that flowed through USAID.… Continue Reading

Trump reaches 36.6 million television viewers for first address to Congress in second term

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump reached an estimated 36.6 million television viewers for his address to Congress, the Nielsen company said. That’s up from former President Joe Biden’s 32.2 million in 2024, and the most since Biden reached 38.2 million in 2022. It was a smaller audience than Trump reached for his annual address in any of the four years of his first term, Nielsen said. Fox News Channel, the most popular network for Trump fans, dominated viewing, reaching 10.7 million people. Nielsen said 71% of Trump’s television viewers were 55 and older.… Continue Reading

Trump takes credit for ‘swift and unrelenting’ action in speech to Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is taking credit for “swift and unrelenting action” in reorienting the nation’s economy, immigration and foreign policy as he updates Congress and the American people on his turbulent first few weeks in office. Democratic legislators have immediately registered their dissent with stone faces, placards calling out ’lies,” and one legislator’s ejection. The Republican-led House and Senate have done little to restrain the president as he and his allies work to slash the size of the federal government and remake America’s place in the world. Trump says he is working to “reclaim democracy from this unaccountable bureaucracy” and has threatened federal workers anew with firings if they resist his agenda.… Continue Reading

Zelenskyy calls Oval Office spat with Trump ‘regrettable,’ says he’s ready to work for Ukraine peace

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says last week’s Oval Office blowup with U.S. counterpart Donald Trump was “regrettable,” and he adds: “It is time to make things right.” His remarks came hours after the White House announced a pause on military aid to Ukraine. In a social media post on X, Zelenskyy said Friday’s White House meeting “did not go the way it was supposed to be.” He added that ”it is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.” He said Ukraine is ready to sign a deal on its rare-earth minerals and security with Washington.… Continue Reading

Senate confirms McMahon to lead Education Department as Trump pushes to shut it down

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is voting on whether to confirm former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as the nation’s education chief, a role that would place her atop a department President Donald Trump has vowed to dismantle. McMahon would face the competing tasks of winding down the Education Department while escalating efforts to achieve the Republican president’s agenda. Trump has signed sweeping orders to rid America’s schools of diversity programs and accommodations for transgender students while calling for expanded school choice programs. Trump also has promised to shut down the Education Department and said he wants McMahon “to put herself out of a job.” McMahon spent a year on Connecticut’s state board of education.… Continue Reading

Trump hits ‘pause’ on US aid to Ukraine after Oval dustup, pressuring Zelenskyy on Russia talks

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday directed a “pause” to U.S. assistance to Ukraine after a disastrous Oval Office meeting as Trump seeks to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to engage in peace talks with Russia.A White House official said Trump is focused on reaching a peace deal to end the more than three-year war sparked by Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine, and wants Zelenskyy “committed” to that goal. The official added that the U.S. was “pausing and reviewing” its aid to “ensure that it is contributing to a solution.” The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the assistance.… Continue Reading

Zelenskyy leaves White House without signing minerals deal after Oval Office blowup

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump berated Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for being “disrespectful” in an extraordinary Oval Office meeting on Friday, then abruptly called off signing a deal with the U.S. that he said would have moved that country closer to ending its war with Russia. The astonishing turn of events has the potential to potentially scramble international affairs in Europe and around the globe. During his visit with Trump, Zelenskyy had planned to attend sign a deal allowing the U.S. greater access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, then hold a joint news conference. Instead, Ukraine’s leader left the White House shortly after Trump shouted at him, showing open disdain.… Continue Reading

Trump administration says it’s cutting 90% of USAID foreign aid contracts

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration says it is eliminating more than 90% of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s foreign aid contracts and $60 billion in overall U.S. assistance around the world. That’s according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press as well as court filings Wednesday. They detail the outcome of a 90-day review ordered by President Donald Trump of all the money provided by USAID and the State Department for development and aid work overseas. The move leaves few surviving USAID projects for advocates to try to save in what are ongoing court battles. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court late Wednesday temporarily blocked a court order requiring the administration to release billions of dollars in foreign aid.… Continue Reading