Trump returns to the U.S.; administration asks Supreme Court to let president fire Fed board member
Catch up with NBC News Clone on today's hot topic: Trump Administration British Pm Uk Trip Live Updates Rcna230621 - Politics and Government | NBC News Clone. Our editorial team reformatted this story for clarity and speed.
In Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser and other city officials testified before the House Oversight Committee about crime in the nation's capital and oversight of the district.
Highlights from Sept. 18, 2025
- TRUMP RETURNS FROM THE U.K.: President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a joint news conference after their bilateral meeting and answered questions about their efforts to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and a new U.S.-U.K. tech partnership. Trump and first lady Melania Trump have returned to the United States.
- TRUMP GOES TO SCOTUS: The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court today to allow Trump to fire Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook, whom he has sought to replace as he tries to reshape the independent agency.
- D.C. MAYOR TESTIFIES: Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and other city officials testified before the House Oversight Committee about crime in the nation's capital and oversight of the district. Trump recently threatened to federalize the city's police force again if it didn't cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Coverage of this live blog has ended. For the latest news, click here.
Judge blocks deportation of Guatemalan children
A federal judge today blocked the Trump administration from deporting Guatemalan children after he rejected the Department of Homeland Security’s claim that it was reuniting the youngsters with their parents, who had asked for their return.
In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly said the administration’s assertion of reuniting children and parents “crumbled like a house of cards” because “there is no evidence before the Court that the parents of these children sought their return” to Guatemala.
Kelly temporarily barred the administration from transferring, repatriating, removing or otherwise facilitating the transport of any of the 76 Guatemalan children immigration authorities had tried to deport in the middle of the night over the Labor Day weekend.
D.C. Council member to challenge Eleanor Holmes Norton in congressional primary
A three-term D.C. Council member said today that he will launch a bid for the House seat held by fellow Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton, who has been Washington’s nonvoting delegate in Congress since 1991.
In a video on social media, council member Robert White said that he is “ready to take this torch” and that the city needs “our best fighters right now. I have never seen my city more vulnerable than we are right now.”
At 88, Norton is the oldest member of the House. She and her office have given mixed messages about whether she will seek re-election next year.
‘Deserve to die’: Texas man indicted over series of violent threats to Zohran Mamdani
A Texas man has been charged with making phone and written threats to New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, warning the self-described democratic socialist to “go back to Uganda” before someone shoots him in the head, the Queens district attorney said today.
Jeremy Fistel was arraigned on a 22-count grand jury indictment charging him with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, aggravated harassment and related counts. Prosecutors allege he started sending the messages to Mamdani’s office in June and continued to do so through July.
According to the charges, Fistel left an anti-Muslim message June 18 saying Mamdani, who was born in Uganda, wasn’t welcome in New York and warning him to watch his back and his family’s backs. He called him a terrorist.
Thune takes first step to consider Mike Waltz nomination for U.N. ambassador
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., made an additional move on the Senate floor this afternoon before he left for the day: starting the process to vote on Mike Waltz’s nomination to be U.N. ambassador individually, not as a part of the newest large bloc of nominees he also filed.
The move, called filing cloture, sets in motion consideration of Waltz’s nomination, but he’s not expected to get a vote this week before senators leave town. That means that when Waltz is confirmed will depend largely on when the Senate returns from the Rosh Hashanah recess.
The current plan is for the Senate to return on Sept. 29, but there are discussions they could return as early as Sept. 25 if government funding has not been settled.
Waltz’s confirmation will end what has been a nine-month-long drama to fill the U.N. ambassador’s position after Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., was nominated but withdrew her nomination because Republicans needed her vote in the razor-thin House Republican majority.
CDC advisory panel recommends restricting access to the MMRV vaccine
A closely watched advisory panel to the CDC voted today to tweak recommendations for a measles vaccine that includes protection against the varicella, or chickenpox, virus.
The new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices suggests the vaccine, called MMRV, shouldn’t be recommended for children under age 4 because of a small risk for febrile seizures in that age group. The seizures can be prompted by fevers associated with viruses or, sometimes, vaccines. They usually last for a few minutes and, while they are scary for parents to witness, are generally harmless, doctors say.
The panelists voted 8-3 in favor of the change. One member, Dr. Robert Malone, abstained because of a conflict of interest.
Doctors have known about the increased risk of febrile seizures in young children for years. It’s why the CDC already suggests that younger kids get the varicella vaccine separately, unless a parent or a caregiver prefers the MMRV shot.
Trump suggests FCC could revoke licenses over negative coverage
Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump opened the door to the Federal Communications Commission's revoking licenses of television networks over negative coverage, suggesting that many late-night hosts appearing on those networks are "against me" and that "they give me only bad publicity, press."
Donald Trump at Windsor Castle in England on Wednesday. Andrew Matthews / Pool / AFP - Getty Images
"I mean, they’re getting a license. I would think maybe their license should be taken away. It will be up to Brendan Carr," Trump said, referring to the chairman of the FCC. "I think Brendan Carr is outstanding. He’s a patriot. He loves our country, and he’s a tough guy, so we’ll have to see.”
Trump also said of evening shows on network TV: "All they do is hit Trump. They’re licensed. They’re not allowed to do that. They’re an arm of the Democrat Party."
Trump last night lauded ABC for indefinitely pulling "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" over comments its host made about Kirk's assassination, writing in part on social media, "Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done," and naming other hosts he wanted booted.
Trump administration faces hurdles in targeting left-wing groups, experts say
A White House vow to dismantle left-wing organizations may be easier issued than implemented, according to experts.
“There’s not a lot of federal law on this,” said Scott Walter, president of the Capital Research Center, a Washington-based nonprofit organization that tracks progressive groups and is influential in conservative circles. “Frankly, the states and localities should be doing a better job [of prosecuting criminal activity], as they did in the 1960s. They have enormously more manpower.”
His point hints at the challenge administration officials have as they try to respond to anger over the Sept. 10 assassination of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk with a concrete plan of action.
White House officials, including Trump, Vice President JD Vance and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, have accused left-wing groups of fomenting political violence in the wake of a killing that shocked the nation and left the president’s MAGA base with a mix of grief, fear and fury.
Trump returns to the U.S. after completing U.K state visit
Trump landed at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, at 7:52 p.m. ET.
Kamala Harris posts about an 'outright abuse of power' by Trump administration following Kimmel controversy
Former Vice President Kamala Harris expressed frustration on X about what she called an “outright abuse of power” by the Trump administration.
Harris said: “This administration is attacking critics and using fear as a weapon to silence anyone who would speak out. Media corporations — from television networks to newspapers — are capitulating to these threats. We cannot dare to be silent or complacent in the face of this frontal assault on free speech. We, the People, deserve better.”
Kamala Harris in Flint, Mich., on Oct. 4, 2024. Demetrius Freeman / The Washington Post via Getty Images file
Her post comes amid controversy over ABC's decision to pull “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off the air.
Pete Buttigieg enters the redistricting fight, slamming the GOP’s efforts in Indiana
Pete Buttigieg, the former U.S. transportation secretary and potential 2028 presidential candidate, slammed Indiana Republicans today for considering a mid-decade redistricting plan.
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during at a rally at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, on Thursday. Michael Conroy / AP
At a rally at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, Buttigieg, a former mayor of South Bend, vowed to help Democrats fight any redistricting push in the state, casting blame on Trump for pressuring state Republicans to pass new maps that would boost the party in next year’s midterm elections.
“We are here because Indiana Republicans are being pressured by Washington Republicans to do something that they know in their hearts is wrong,” Buttigieg said. “They are being pressured to change the rules so that voters don’t have a say anymore. And they know that that is wrong. And we know why they’re doing it ... because the agenda of Washington Republicans is so unpopular that even here in Indiana, they are afraid of losing if they have to run on a fair map.”
Buttigieg called mid-decade redistricting efforts “cheating” and vowed that “if they do the wrong thing, we will be here to hold them politically accountable.”
Senate Democrats send letter to FCC chairman requesting information about Kimmel actions
A group of Senate Democrats, including Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation — which oversees the Federal Communications Commission — have sent a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.
The letter urges Carr to “immediately stop threatening media organizations due to their programming and return to the FCC’s mission of ensuring all Americans have access to affordable, efficient communication services.”
The group also asks him to respond to three questions by Sept. 25:
- "How is the FCC defining the 'public interest' standard to which broadcasters must adhere? To the extent that the FCC has adopted some new ideological or political neutrality test, how is the FCC defining ideological or political bias?"
- "Did you, your staff, or any FCC staff have any communication with Disney, ABC, or their affiliates about Jimmy Kimmel, his Monday monologue, or his show between Monday, September 15, and today? If yes, we expect you to produce copies of all such communications."
- "You publicly stated that ABC and Disney could 'do this the easy way or the hard way.' Please detail the 'easy way' and the 'hard way' you were referencing in making this statement."
Additionally, The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s top Democrat, Ranking Member Robert Garcia, D-Calif., alongside Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., sent letters to ABC, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Carr today over ABC's decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel off-air.
The letters request documents and communications among the three entities, as well as all communications between the FCC and the Department of Justice by October 2nd.
Two White House officials get security details in wake of Kirk assasination
Security protection is being added for two White House officials in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, according to two federal officials.
The Secret Service will provide a security detail for press secretary Karoline Leavitt and deputy chief of staff James Blair. Some other senior staff members — including chief of staff Susie Wiles and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller — already have security protection.
The officials declined to say whether there is a specific threat against either Leavitt or Blair. They described the step as having been taken out of an “abundance of caution.”
The Secret Service declined to comment.
The move is not unprecedented. Former Trump press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders was given security in the first term. She is now governor of Arkansas.
Ari Fleischer, who was press secretary to President George W. Bush, had Secret Service uniform division officers patrol near his home, although he did not have agents assigned to him in a detail.
Political pressure is jeopardizing the work of intel agencies, Democratic senator says
Political pressure from Trump administration officials is undermining the work of U.S. intelligence agencies and could leave the country “blind” to looming security threats, Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner said today.
In a speech on the Senate floor, Warner, D-Va., warned that experienced intelligence officers and analysts have been dismissed or reassigned merely because they provided assessments that contradicted the White House’s political agenda.
“I fear the integrity of our intelligence is being sacrificed on the altar of partisan convenience,” Warner said.
The issue is not just another partisan disagreement or Washington turf battle, he said.
“At stake is something much more fundamental: whether America will continue to have an intelligence community free to ‘speak truth to power,’ or whether political pressure will blind us to the very real threats our nation faces,” he said.
Warner has been an outspoken critic of how Trump and his top intelligence official, Tulsi Gabbard, have managed the country’s spy agencies. But the speech marked Warner’s most extensive remarks to date about the subject, in which he listed a series of actions he said were deeply troubling.
Warner repeatedly blasted Gabbard’s performance but did not mention CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who has been locked in a power struggle with Gabbard and enjoys wider support among lawmakers from both parties.
Jimmy Kimmel suspension puts spotlight on Brendan Carr, Trump’s FCC chair
Trump hailed Brendan Carr as a “warrior for free speech” when he tapped him to be chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the independent agency that regulates the broadcast television industry and other platforms.
Brendan Carr testifies during a House hearing in 2023. Graeme Sloan / Sipa USA via AP file
Carr has lived up to the warrior moniker. Since he took the job, he has launched a wave of investigations against leading media corporations and has criticized some for perceived liberal bias.
He appears to have scored his biggest win yet yesterday with ABC’s decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show from the airwaves just hours after he blasted Kimmel for his comments about n Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
“We’re not done yet,” Carr said today on CNBC as Kimmel’s defenders and the FCC’s critics accused him of waging a crackdown on free speech in America.
Senate confirms 48 Trump nominees at once, including Kimberly Guilfoyle and Callista Gingrich
The Senate confirmed 48 of Trump’s nominees in a single vote today after the Republican majority triggered the “nuclear option” to make a far-reaching rule change.
The vote of 51-47 confirms a slew of Trump picks for sub-Cabinet positions and ambassadors. They include former Rep. Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., as undersecretary of energy for nuclear security, former Fox News personality Kimberly Guilfoyle as ambassador to Greece and Callista Gingrich, wife of the former House speaker, as ambassador to both Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Senate Republicans voted to overturn existing rules with a simple majority to bypass the 60-vote threshold to confirm nominees in batches. The GOP effort to go “nuclear” — the term for changing Senate rules on a party-line basis — was unanimous, joined by centrist Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro says Kamala Harris will ‘have to answer’ for not speaking out about Biden
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said former Vice President Kamala Harris will “have to answer” for why she did not speak out publicly about former President Joe Biden’s ability to serve during his term.
Shapiro, widely seen as a potential 2028 presidential contender, made the remarks io a new political podcast hosted by sports commentator and personality Stephen A. Smith. Smith asked Shapiro about an excerpt from Harris’ soon-to-be-released book about her presidential campaign.
“Was it grace, or was it recklessness?” Harris wrote of the White House’s handling of Biden’s decision to run for re-election, per an excerpt of the book. “In retrospect, I think it was recklessness. The stakes were simply too high. This wasn’t a choice that should have been left to an individual’s ego, an individual’s ambition. It should have been more than a personal decision.”
Smith asked Shapiro how Americans should feel “when we hear something that we suspected but wasn’t acknowledged by politicians who were looking for our support, and then we find out later we were right, and they should have spoken up, and they should have shown more courage.”
Shapiro said he had not read Harris’ book, adding that “she’s going to have to answer to how she was in the room and yet never said anything publicly.”
N.Y. Democratic Party chair won't endorse Zohran Mamdani in mayoral race
Jay Jacobs, the chairman of New York's state Democratic Party, announced today that he would not back New York Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, even as other key New York Democrats get on board.
Days after Gov. Kathy Hochul and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie endorsed Mamdani, Jacobs said in a statement that he would not, even as he said that he had a "positive conversation with Mr. Mamdani" after he won the primary and that "all of the fear mongering around him and his candidacy is wrong and a gross over-reaction."
Going on to say the two agree that "America's greatest problem" is income disparity, Jacobs said they disagree about how to solve it. He went on to highlight other disagreements he has with Mamdani.
"Furthermore, as I expressed to him directly, I strongly disagree with his views on the State of Israel, along with certain key policy positions. Furthermore, I reject the platform of the so-called 'Democratic Socialists of America' and do not believe that it represents the principles, values or policies of the Democratic Party. For those reasons I will not be endorsing Mr. Mamdani for Mayor of the City of New York,” he said.
Trump discusses people who appeared to celebrate Kirk's assassination and antifa
In a Fox News interview recorded today at Starmer's home at Chequers, Trump spoke about people who appeared to celebrate the murder of Charlie Kirk last week on social media.
"They have signs, and they're all professionally made," he said. "Protesters make them in their basement, and they're all the same."
Asked who's behind the effort, Trump again, without evidence, floated the idea that it could be Democratic activist and philanthropist George Soros.
"We're going to find out if he's behind it, but it's incitement to riot," he said. "That's a criminal act, and people are dying because of it. So it's really, you know, it's death. So we're gonna, we're gonna find out, and it should have been done a long time ago."
Trump also mentioned his plan to label antifa as a domestic terrorist group. Asked whether there's a vast terrorist network in the United States that people need to be aware of that could be responsible for some of the political violence, he said: "You never know, and we’ll find out, maybe. But in the meantime, we’re going to do a big thing with respect to antifa."
Cassidy invites RFK Jr. to speak with Senate panel about Susan Monarez's firing as CDC director
The chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Bill Cassidy, R-La., has invited Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to “speak with the Committee” and “share his side of the story” after yesterday’s hearing with former CDC Director Susan Monarez.
“To deliver on the President’s mission of radical transparency, the Committee is inviting Secretary Kennedy and HHS officials to respond by speaking with Committee members,” Cassidy told NBC News in a statement.
The committee did not share further details about when it will occur and whether it could materialize into a hearing.
After the hearing with Monarez yesterday, Cassidy said he was withholding judgment on whose story he believes about why she was fired until he has the opportunity to hear from Kennedy.
“I think Secretary Kennedy has to come and address the specifics. On Senate Finance, he was speaking kind of in the general conversation, but I think we need the opportunity to speak to this. And I plan to hold any judgment until we have the opportunity to hear from Secretary Kennedy,” Cassidy said.
Monarez testified before the HELP panel yesterday that she was fired after she refused to fire career CDC officials and to green-light vaccine recommendations without seeing scientific data — two demands she said Kennedy made.
House Oversight Committee tables Rep. Ro Khanna's motion to subpoena FCC chair
The GOP-led House Oversight Committee just tabled a motion from Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., to subpoena Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr.
Khanna called for the subpoena in the wake of Carr's threat to take action against Jimmy Kimmel. Hours later, Disney and ABC suspended Kimmel's late-night show indefinitely.
The panel voted 24-21 to table Khanna's motion.
After the vote, Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., its ranking member, said he would work with Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., to bring Carr before the committee.
Military leaders consider recruiting campaign centered on Charlie Kirk
Defense Department leaders are considering a new recruiting campaign that would encourage young people to honor the legacy of assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk by joining the military, according to two officials familiar with the planning.
The idea would be to frame the recruiting campaign as a national call to service, the officials said. Possible slogans that Pentagon leaders have discussed include “Charlie has awakened a generation of warriors,” according to the officials.
Parachute team flies U.S. flag for Trump visit
A member of Britain's Red Devils parachute team flew a huge U.S. flag today as Trump, first lady Melania Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria Starmer, viewed it from below at Chequers, the prime minister's country residence.
Charlie Kirk's wife to helm Turning Point USA, organization says
Turning Point USA announced on X that its board unanimously had elected Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's wife, as the group's next CEO and chair.
"In prior discussions, Charlie expressed to multiple executives that this is what he wanted in the event of his death," the statement said.
The post included a picture of a letter from board members, who wrote that "it was the honor of our lives to serve as board members at Charlie's side."
"Charlie prepared all of us for a moment like this one," the letter said. "He worked tirelessly to ensure Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests. And now, it is our great pride to announce Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board for Turning Point USA."
Kirk was assassinated Sept. 10 as he was speaking to students at an event at Utah Valley University. The group he co-founded more than a decade ago focused on taking a conservative message to students at the high school and college levels.
Trump heads back to the U.S., concluding U.K. trip
Trump and first lady Melania Trump have departed the United Kingdom for Washington, D.C., concluding the president's second state visit to the country.
Trump and the first lady at Stansted Airport today. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP - Getty Images
Schumer calls on Trump to fire FCC's Brendan Carr
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and members of House Democratic leadership are calling for Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr to resign or for Trump to fire him following his threat to take action over comments comedian Jimmy Kimmel made about the killing of Charlie Kirk.
ABC subsequently pulled Kimmel's late-night show off the air last night.
"What Brendan Carr is doing is despicable, Schumer said in a video posted on X. "What he did to Jimmy Kimmel, he is doing to person after person, network after network, intimidating them and threatening them. He is one of the greatest threats to free speech America has ever seen. He should resign immediately; Trump should fire him."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and top members of his caucus also said in a statement that Carr has "disgraced the office he holds by bullying ABC, the employer of Jimmy Kimmel, and forcing the company to bend the knee to the Trump administration."
The FCC didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Kimmel said on Monday night’s show, “The MAGA gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
That contradicted comments from Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, who said Sunday that the suspect had developed a "leftist ideology" before charging documents were released.
Lawmakers hear testimony from D.C.'s leaders on the city's crime and oversight
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., criticized D.C.'s government over the city's crime rate during his opening remarks at a hearing today featuring D.C.'s Mayor Muriel Bowser and other city officials.
D.C.'s crime rate, Comer asserted, have been "largely driven by historically high rates of juvenile crime, which were enabled by ultra progressive soft-on-crime policies enacted by the D.C. Council and supported by the D.C. attorney general."
Comer discussed the killing of 21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a congressional intern. Comer asserted that had two alleged perpetrators, who are 17-years-old, been held accountable for previous crimes, "Eric's murder might have been prevented."
"Members of Congress and staff have been assaulted, carjacked and have witnessed violent and traumatic criminal acts," including murders, he added.
"The left-wing politicians who say that D.C. does not have a crime problem are either delusional" or are "lying to the American people," he said.
Comer also touted what he said was the city's decrease in crime after Trump's 30-day take-over of the D.C. police force and deployment of the National Guard.
The city's mayor said late last month that the increase in the federal law enforcement presence in the city had helped drive down crime, including an 87% drop in carjackings, a 45% decrease in violent crimes and an 18% reduction in crime overall.
But D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb criticized the administration's surge of federal enforcement to D.C. "without coordination or advance warning," pointing in his testimony to "agents in unmarked cars to pick people off the streets" and the deployment of the National Guard to D.C.
"None of these are durable, long-lasting solutions for driving crime down," Schwalb said. "In fact, they threaten to destroy critical trust between local communities and the police, trust which is essential to effective, efficient policing and prosecution."
Trump asks Supreme Court to allow him to fire Fed member Lisa Cook
The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court today to allow the president to immediately fire Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook.
In a court filing, Solicitor General D. John Sauer said that a judge’s ruling that blocked the firing constituted “improper judicial interference.”
Trump has made clear his intention to reshape the Federal Reserve despite its traditional independent status.
Four men are freed on bail over projections of Trump-Epstein images
Four men who were arrested after images of Trump and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were projected onto Windsor Castle have been released on bail until Dec. 12, police said.
Thames Valley Police said in a statement that the men are being investigated for a number of possible offenses "including malicious communications and public nuisance.”
The images projected onto Windsor Castle on Tuesday night included photos of Trump with Epstein, first lady Melania Trump and Epstein's co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as an image of a lewd birthday message Trump allegedly sent to Epstein for his 50th birthday, which the president has repeatedly denied writing.
An image of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein is projected onto a tower of Windsor Castle Tuesday night. Lena Voelk / AFP - Getty Images
Democrat-led bill aims to reverse Trump administration cuts to HIV prevention efforts
A group of Democrats led by Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada is introducing legislation today aimed at reversing the Trump administration's cuts to global HIV prevention.
The bill would amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, a key foreign aid law, "to clarify that HIV prevention, including PrEP, is lifesaving humanitarian assistance," Rosen’s office said in a news release. The legislation is co-sponsored by eight other Democrats and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.
HIV.gov defines PrEP as "medicine people at risk for HIV take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body."
Rosen said in a statement announcing the measure that the Trump administration's cuts to HIV prevention programs were “shortsighted."
“We can stop the threat of HIV by preventing people from getting it in the first place," she said. "Prevention efforts, especially medication like PrEP, have been a lifeline in the global effort to end this fight."
Trump reacts to ABC's decision to pull Kimmel off the air
Trump was asked during the press conference about ABC's decision last night to suspend Jimmy Kimmel as a late-night host after a threat from FCC Chair Brendan Carr to take action against Disney and the network.
The president said that Kimmel had "bad ratings, more than anything else."
"He said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk. And Jimmy Kimmel is not a talented person. He had very bad ratings, and they should have fired him a long time ago. So, you know, you can call that free speech or not. He was fired for lack of talent," Trump said.
On his show Monday night, Kimmel criticized the reaction from Trump supporters to the Kirk shooting, saying, “The MAGA gang [is] desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it."
Trump claims he doesn't know Peter Mandelson, who was fired as U.K. ambassador to U.S. over Epstein links
A reporter asked Trump about Peter Mandelson's dismissal as U.K. ambassador to the U.S. because of links to Jeffrey Epstein. "I don't know him," Trump said.
Mandelson was at the White House as recently as May.
"I had heard that, and I think maybe the prime minister would be better speaking of that. That was a choice that he made," Trump said, deflecting to Starmer, prompting laughter in the room.
Starmer referred to new information that surfaced after Mandelson was originally appointed.
"It's very straightforward," Starmer said. "Some information came to light last week which wasn't available when he was appointed, and I made a decision about it, and that's very clear."
Trump says Putin will be forced to end the war if the price of oil drops
Trump said he believed that if the price of oil declines, "Putin is going to drop out" of the war in Ukraine.
"He's going to have no choice," Trump continued. "He's going to drop out of that war."
Trump said last week that he was ready to enact "major sanctions on Russia" as soon as all NATO countries stop buying Russian oil. Hungary and Slovakia have continued buying Russian fossil fuels.
Starmer also said the issue is "a challenge to Europe."
"There are a number of European countries which are too reliant on energy from Russia," he said. "The U.K. actually, obviously has almost got nothing at all. But we do need to bear down and work with our European counterparts here. There are one or two countries, I think, that need to look again at the question of energy."
Trump says 'it would certainly help' to have Israeli hostages released before telling Netanyahu to end the war
Asked by a reporter when he would tell Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza, Trump said he wanted the Israeli hostages back.
"I want it to end, but I want the hostages back," Trump said of the war in Gaza. "I don't want the hostages used as human shields, which is what Hamas is threatening to do."
Asked whether he would tell Netanyahu to "stop" once the hostages have been returned, Trump said, "It would certainly help."
Trump says the White House is speaking with Xi tomorrow about TikTok
Trump said "we're speaking" to China's President Xi Jinping tomorrow about a TikTok deal.
"There is tremendous value, and I hate to give away value, but I like TikTok," Trump said. "It helped get me elected."
He attributed TikTok to helping his campaign reach young voters. He added that TikTok would be "owned by all American investors."
"Very rich people and companies are going to be owning it," he said.
The U.S. might enact another extension on the TikTok deadline, he said. This week, Trump extended the deadline to reach a TikTok deal from Sept. 17 til Dec. 16.
Starmer differentiates between free speech and actions harming children
Asked about people being arrested in the United Kingdom for certain speech, Starmer emphasized that free speech is "one of the founding values" of his country.
"I draw a limit between free speech and the speech of those that want to peddle pedophilia and suicide on social media to children, and therefore I'm all for free speech, I'm also for protecting children from things that will harm them," Starmer added.
Starmer is asked about Trump labeling antifa domestic terrorists
A reporter noted that Trump had labeled antifa domestic terrorists in the U.S. yesterday and asked Starmer if he would consider taking similar action in the U.K.
"Well, we obviously will take decisions for ourselves. I don't want to comment on the decisions of the president, but we take our decisions ourselves," Starmer said.
Trump notes 'disagreement with the prime minister' on recognition of a Palestinian state
The two leaders were asked about the United Kingdom's forthcoming recognition of a Palestinian state — why Trump thinks it's wrong and what Starmer thinks it will achieve.
Starmer said that the situation in Gaza is "intolerable," saying that the hostages have been held for a long time and "must be freed."
"We need aid to get into Gaza at speed. And so it’s within that context of a plan for peace, which we’re working hard on ... that the question of recognition needs to be seen," he said. "It’s part of that overall package which hopefully takes us from the appalling situation we’re in now, to the outcome of a safe and secure Israel, which we do not have."
Trump responded by emphasizing the circumstances of the hostages of Gaza and made clear he wants them all released immediately — not just a few at a time, which has happened previously.
"Many came to the Oval Office. And I’ve heard stories like I’ve never thought even possible. There was no humanity, no anything. I said to them ... 'Was there any warmth shown during this stay?'" Trump said. "The answer is, every time, absolutely not. I’m shocked to hear it because, in the worst cases, there’s always somebody that comes through."
Trump said they have to remember what happened on Oct. 7, 2023, for the hostages to be returned and for the fighting in Gaza to stop.
"I have a disagreement with the prime minister on that score, one of our few disagreements, actually," said Trump, appearing to refer to the original question about the recognition of a Palestinian state.
Starmer touts number of people deported from U.K.
Starmer spoke about the U.K.'s immigration policy and the issue of returning people to their countries of origin.
"We have had a record number of returns, over 35,000 now since we came into office. That’s the highest number for the best part of 10 years," he said.
Starmer said there are challenges to returning people. "Now we need to ramp that up at scale, which was always envisaged under the scheme. But it’s very important that we have been able to prove that the proof of concept, if you like, that this can be done and will continue in that way."
Trump says the U.S. is 'trying' to get back Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, years after U.S. troop withdrawal
Trump said that the U.S. was "trying" to get back Bagram Airbase, a former U.S. military base in Afghanistan.
He did not provide details or what it would mean for U.S. troops, who left Afghanistan in 2021 during a widely criticized withdrawal.
"We're trying to get it back, by the way," he said, referring to Bagram. "OK, that could be a little breaking news. We're trying to get it back, because they need things from us. We want that base back. But one of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it's an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons."
Trump again falsely claims he won the 2020 election
Trump reiterated his false claim that he won the 2020 presidential election.
Trump and Starmer during a joint press conference at Chequers today. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP - Getty Images
"We won in 2020 big," he said while discussing immigration during the Biden administration.
Joe Biden, though, won the election, securing millions more votes than Trump. For years, Trump has repeatedly falsely asserted that he won the election.
Trump dedicates part of his opening remarks to Charlie Kirk, saying he believed Kirk could have been president one day
Trump dedicated part of his opening press conference remarks to Charlie Kirk, saying he "was a great young man, incredible future."
"Some people said he might be president someday," Trump said. "I told him, I said, 'Charlie, I think you have a good shot someday at being president.' And he just wanted to take care of youth."
Trump reiterated that he would attend Kirk's memorial this weekend, saying they would "celebrate Charlie and all that he's done, so incredible."
"Never seen anything like it," Trump added.
He said that he appreciated Brits who extended condolences after Kirk was killed.
Starmer highlights joint efforts with U.S. to end wars in Gaza and Ukraine
Starmer said in his initial statement that the U.K. and U.S. are working together to bring an end to the "humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East, get the aid in, free the hostages, and ultimately bring Israel and the region back towards a comprehensive plan which can deliver peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians."
The prime minister also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown his true colors in recent days, "mounting the biggest attack since the invasion began, with yet more bloodshed, yet more innocents killed, and unprecedented violations of NATO airspace."
"These are not the actions of someone who wants peace," he said.
Starmer said that he and Trump talked about building their defenses to further support Ukraine and "decisively increase the pressure on Putin to get him to agree a peace deal that will last."
"President Trump, you have led the way here, and we will continue to stand and work together for security and for peace," Starmer said.
Trump-Starmer press conference has begun
The press conference with Trump and Starmer has begun at Chequers, the prime minister's country house in the English town of Aylesbury.
Starmer began the news conference by touting the new tech partnership between the United States and the United Kingdom.
First lady Melania Trump and Princess Kate join Scouts for activities in Windsor's Frogmore Gardens
First lady Melania Trump has continued her day in Windsor today while the president held meetings with the British prime minister at his country home near Aylesbury.
Following her tour of Windsor Castle with Queen Camilla, the first lady was joined by the Princess of Wales for a meeting with a local Scout group in Windsor’s Frogmore Gardens.
The pair were introduced to the 4- and 5-year-old Squirrel Scouts by the U.K.’s chief scout, explorer and presenter Dwayne Fields, before joining them for some drawing and coloring.
Melania Trump and Kate then presented "Go Wild" badges to the children, which was reciprocated when Fields called up two children to present badges to them.
They then joined the children for a celebratory picnic lunch of sandwiches and juice.
“They’re quite taken with you, a volunteer remarked to the first lady as she handed the children some food.
Princess Kate and first lady Melania Trump tour the grounds of Frogmore Cottage in Windsor. Yui Mok / WPA Pool via Getty Images
Melania Trump and Kate speak with members of the Scouts' Squirrels program on the grounds of Frogmore Cottage. Nathan Howard / WPA Pool via Getty Images
Trump and Starmer praise new tech partnership as 'a blueprint to win this new era together'
Trump and Starmer joined a meeting of business leaders this morning and laid out the details of a new tech agreement between the U.S. and U.K., with the British prime minister saying it would create "life-changing investments across the United Kingdom" and create 15,000 jobs.
Trump and Starmer signing the deal at Chequers today. Leon Neal / Getty Images
The agreement, Starmer said, demonstrated the "potency of this partnership" and noted it would would serve as “a blueprint to win this new era together.” The U.K. had "huge new investments" from major companies including Nvidia, Google and Salesforce, he added.
"This is a great day for the special relationship," Starmer said.
Speaking after, Trump called the partnership "historic" and said it "will create new government, academic and private sector cooperation in areas such as AI, which is taking over the world."
The leaders also touted economic investments among businesses in the two countries of about $340 billion, which Starmer called "the biggest investment package of its kind in British history by a country mile."
Trump and Starmer speaking ahead of business leaders meeting
Trump and Starmer are speaking ahead of their meeting with a gathering of business leaders at Chequers.
Speaking first, Starmer told Trump “You’re among friends,” and that there is “so much to celebrate in this special relationship.”
Trump told Starmer the U.S. and the U.K. have an "unbreakable bond."
Palantir to invest up to $2B in U.K. economy as tech titans gather with Trump
U.S. technology firm Palantir has announced a new strategic partnership with the U.K that will see it invest up to 1.5 billion pounds ($2 billion) to boost military AI and innovation.
The deal was unveiled as part of a major package of U.S. investment commitments in the U.K. as part of Trump’s state visit and comes as Trump and Starmer meet with business leaders today.
The company will make the U.K. its European headquarters for defense, with the creation of up to 350 jobs
British Defense Secretary John Healey and Palantir CEO Alex Karp in London today. Lucy North / PA via Getty Images
The partnership "will help the U.K. military develop the latest digital tools and harness AI technology to accelerate decision making, improve targeting and keep the British people safe from evolving threats." the British Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Palantir CEO Alex Karp said the partnership “will reinforce the U.K.’s position as a major military force protecting the West from our adversaries. And it will underline the UK’s status as our largest presence outside of the U.S.”
British Defense Secretary John Healey, a member of Parliament, called the partnership “a major vote of confidence in U.K. leadership in defence, data and AI technology and as an ideal location for companies to invest and expand."
White House plans to take action targeting left-wing groups as early as this month
The administration is putting together plans to take action against left-wing groups that Trump and his allies accuse of fomenting political violence, according to three people familiar with discussions about the federal response to the Sept. 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah. One of the sources said the moves could come as early as the end of the month.
The White House is “trying to move quickly while not rushing,” the person said.
The actions, which are still being formulated, are expected to include investigations into the tax-exempt status of certain liberal organizations, the same source said. They were first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Photos: Queen Camilla and Melania Trump tour Windsor Castle
Queen Camilla and first lady Melania Trump in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. Aaron Chown / AFP via Getty Images
The pair viewed historic artworks. Chris Jackson / Getty Images
They also met with a group of school children. Chris Jackson / Getty Images
And they took a look at Queen Mary’s Dolls' House. Aaron Chown / Getty Images
State banquets are what the royals 'do best,' veteran commentator tells NBC News
State banquets are arguably what the royal family “do best,” one seasoned royal commentator told NBC News today.
“I think these state banquets are hugely important because there is so much symbolism in it,” said Katie Nicholl, adding that it was a very unique combination of soft power and diplomacy.
Nicholl also noted the increasingly prominent role played by Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales.
The State Banquet at Windsor Castle yesterday. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / Pool via Getty Images
Trump, she said, “spoke very highly of William, and you could see how happy he was to see William again, that lovely chemistry between the first lady and Kate, and of course, the very warm comments that Trump made, not just about the king and queen at last night’s historic state banquet, but also about William and Catherine.”
Pope Leo talks Trump and more in his first interview
Pope Leo XIV said in his first interview as history’s first American pope that he has no intention of getting involved in U.S. politics but will raise his voice on issues of concern to the Catholic Church, including on immigration.
Leo spoke on a range of topics — from the Trump administration to the clergy sexual abuse crisis, welcoming LGBTQ Catholics and Vatican-China relations — in the interview, published today.
Queen hosts first lady on tour of Windsor Castle
While her husband has left Windsor Castle, first lady Melania Trump has stayed behind and joined Queen Camilla for a tour of parts of the ancient building.
The pair were escorted to see Queen Mary’s Dolls' House and the Royal Library by Tim Knox, director of the Royal Collection.
In the library, they viewed original works by British authors, including Arthur Conan Doyle, A.A. Milne and Julia Donaldson, as well as American works by John James Audubon and Washington Irving. They were also taken to see drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Hans Holbein.
They also met with a group of schoolchildren who were writing and illustrating miniature books as part of an art project.
First pictures of Trump and Starmer at Chequers
What is Chequers?
Much like Camp David has been for American presidents, Chequers is the official country residence of the British prime minister.
The 1,500-acre estate sits around 30 miles northwest of London in the village of Ellesborough in the county of Buckinghamshire.
Chequers, a Tudor mansion and the official country residence of the British prime minister since 1921. English Heritage via Getty Images
The main house was built around 1565 by merchant William Hawtrey and in 1917, the estate was given to the nation by Viscount Lee of Fareham.
Four years later, it became available to the prime minister and has been used by British leaders since then to entertain guests and welcome dignitaries like President Donald Trump.
This is Trump's second visit to the estate after then-Prime Minister Theresa May hosted him there in 2018.
Other recent foreign leaders to visit have included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Starmer welcomes Trump
It was all smiles from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife, Victoria Starmer, as they warmly greeted President Donald Trump at the entrance of Chequers.
Responding to a question from a reporter about his night at Windsor Castle, Trump said, “It was great. Really great.”
Australian Broadcasting Corp. barred from news conference after Trump's clash with journalist
The Australian Broadcasting Corp. says it has been barred from attending a joint news conference with Starmer and Trump days after the president clashed with the broadcaster’s Americas editor.
Trump berated John Lyons on the White House lawn after he asked whether it was appropriate “that a president in office should be engaged in so much business activity,” telling the veteran journalist that he was “hurting Australia.”
ABC News said in a statement that their journalists were still accredited to attend the prime minister’s country retreat of Chequers, “however Downing Street Media has said it no longer has a spot at the joint press conference due to logistical reasons.”
“We have been given no indication this is connected to the questions put to President Trump by ABC Americas Editor John Lyons earlier this week,” the statement added.
A Downing Street spokesperson told NBC News that they had to limit the number of journalists that could attend and it was in no way linked to the clash between Trump and Lyons.
Trump’s U.K. visit gets political after royal pageantry
Trump traded pageantry for politics as he ended a lavish stay hosted by King Charles and prepared to meet with Starmer at his country residence, Chequers.
Starmer has lavished Trump with praise and royal pomp in a bid to curry favor with Washington as Britain looks to deepen its economic ties with the U.S., ease tariffs and hold difficult conversations on Israel’s offensive in Gaza and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
But cold geopolitical reality may set in as he sits down with Starmer, followed by a joint news conference that could test those warm sentiments with a range of thorny issues likely to be raised.
Windsor local hopes Trump visit will have 'a positive impact'
A number of British Trump supporters gathered outside Windsor Castle yesterday, among a more prominent group of those objecting to the president’s presence in the U.K.
Sporting a blue hat adorned with the slogan “Make Britain Great Again,” Louise Glover told NBC News that she hoped Trump had “a positive impact while he’s here in the U.K.”
Louise Glover speaking to NBC News in Windsor yesterday. NBC News
She said that she felt a sense of unity with American MAGA supporters in that “we feel let down and I think we all want our country to be great again and I think if it’s a matter of coming together.”
She added that she hoped Trump had “a positive impact because he is doing a lot of great things over in America, in the States.”
Trump arrives at Chequers
Trump has arrived at Chequers, where he will meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Trump made the short journey from Windsor Castle to the prime minister’s country residence in the Marine One helicopter.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump at Chequers this morning. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images
State banquet was a meal fit for a king ... and a president
Details of the sumptuous meal served at last night’s state banquet at Windsor Castle have been revealed.
The 160 guests were served Hampshire watercress panna cotta with parmesan shortbread and quail egg salad to start, followed by a main course of organic Norfolk chicken ballotine wrapped in zucchini, with a thyme and savory infused jus.
Dessert was a vanilla ice cream bombe with Kentish raspberry sorbet interior with lightly poached Victoria plums.
Pipers rehearse before the state banquet in St George's Hall of Windsor Castle. Aaron Chown / AP
A number of fine wines were served with the meal, including a Wiston Estate, Cuvée, 2016 Domaine Bonneau de Martray, a Corton-Charlemagne, Grand Cru, 2018 Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello, 2000 and Pol Roger, Extra Cuvée de Réserve, 1998.
The after-dinner drinks menu was also laden with symbolism. Guests were served a special cocktail, the Transatlantic Whisky Sour which was created for the occasion.
A Warre’s 1945 Vintage Port, marking the fact that Trump was the 45th president, was also on offer, as was a Hennessy 1912 Cognac Grande Champagne, from Trump’s mother’s birth year. Trump is a well-known teetotaler, so was unlikely to have indulged.
A place setting for King Charles at the banquet table. Aaron Chown / Getty Images
The table settings were as elaborate as the meal. It took eight people three weeks to clean and polish the silver and silver-gilt dining service in preparation, and staff needed five full days to fully lay the 164 foot table. Each guest had six glasses at their place setting.
Trump departs Windsor Castle
Trump left Windsor Castle this morning for a meeting at the prime minister's country residence, Chequers.
Seen off by King Charles, the pair shared a warm handshake before Trump got into his limousine and set off.
Melania Trump’s team has aggressively knocked down Epstein-related 'falsehoods'
First lady Melania Trump has directed her attorneys to take swift action against any platform or person that publishes “falsehoods” or “defamatory” information about her when it comes to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, two people familiar with the matter told NBC News.
The campaign has resulted in several recent retractions and apologies. President Donald Trump said his wife has been “very upset” about any claims related to Epstein that “demean” her and are not cleared up.
While the West Wing is mostly in a defensive posture navigating the Epstein controversy, the East Wing has had a more direct approach to any material that mentions Melania Trump in the context of Epstein. The strategy stands out in what has otherwise been a reserved posture from the first lady and her team, who have been more selective about what they engage on compared with their first term in office.
Photos: Trump's state banquet at Windsor Castle
Hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were guests of honor a state banquet at Windsor Castle last night.
Prince William and Catherine, the princess of Wales, delivered a speech to the 160 banquet guests.
Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla, alongside President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. Doug Mills / AFP via Getty Images
Prince William and Princess Kate. Aaron Chown / Getty Images
The lavish ceremony was attended by 160 guests. Aaron Chown / Getty Images
Charles also delivered a speech. Yui Mok / Getty Images
What to expect from Trump’s U.K. visit today
After a dazzling state visit at Windsor Castle yesterday, Trump is scheduled to travel to Chequers, Starmer’s official country residence outside London.
At Chequers, Trump and Starmer have plans to look at former Prime Minister Winston Churchill's archives.
They are also scheduled to sit down privately today, when they are likely to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war, among other topics.
Trump and Starmer are also expected to hold a joint news conference.
