'We made a mistake': Mike Waltz takes responsibility for Signal chat leak

National Security adviser Mike Waltz has taken full responsibility for creating the Signal group chat where sensitive information about an upcoming American attack on Yemen was shared with a high profile journalist.

"We made a mistake. We're moving forward," Waltz said, during a Tuesday appearance on Fox News.

Waltz confirmed he was to blame for adding Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief for The Atlantic, to the chat by mistake, and it was not a staffer.

He explained that he had been trying to add someone else's number to the discussion and Goldberg's somehow appeared under another name. He did not name whom he meant to add.

Executive order issued targeting another law firm connected to Mueller investigation

President Donald Trump has issued another executive order targeting a law firm for their connection to the investigation of Trump and his 2016 campaign by former FBI Director Robert Mueller.

Today's order is against the law firm of Jenner & Block, as one of the attorneys who previously worked there, also served on Mueller's special counsel team.

It threatens to suspend all security clearances for the firm, and terminate all its federal contracts.

It's similar to ones he issued for Covington & Burling, Perkins Coie and Paul Weiss.

Last week Paul Weiss capitulated to Trump, agreeing to give his administration $40 million in free legal work for causes the president supports.

The firm also agreed to remove any DEI policies.

Senate confirms Dr. Jay Bhattacharya as NIH director

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya has been confirmed as the new head of National Institutes of Health.

Bhattacharya is a renowned critic of Covid-19 lockdowns, mask mandates and other mitigation policies.

A health economist and professor at Stanford University, told senators during his confirmation hearing he is committed to ensuring that NIH scientists have the resources they need.

UN staff urged to carry ID amid immigration crackdown

United Nations members in New York have been told to carry their passports and U.N. credentials at all times amid fears they could be caught up in the immigration crackdown and detained or deported.

"While the likelihood of a situation requiring you to produce such documents to confirm your identity/employment remains low, we want to ensure that everyone is prepared," an email sent to U.N. staffers warned, along with instructions on what to do if detained.

Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the U.N. Secretary-General, confirmed the measure which he said was intended to reassure staff.

Tulsi Gabbard's tweet about classified info goes viral after Signal leak

A resurfaced tweet from National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard calling for the prosecution of leakers of classified information has gone viral after President Donald Trump's aides allegedly discussed top secret war plans in a group chat that inadvertently included Jeff Goldberg, the editor in chief of The Atlantic.

In a March 25 Senate hearing, Gabbard claimed that no classified information was shared in the group chat on the encrypted messaging app Signal. The chat contained members of Trump's top national security team.

On March 14, Gabbard wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Our nation's Intelligence Community must be focused on our national security mission. Politically motivated leaks undermine our national security and the trust of the American people, and will not be tolerated."

WATCH: Donald Trump defends Signal app amid war text's backlash

Republican representative abandons in-person town halls after

Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman has moved her Wyoming town halls to online-only after facing questions and complaints from her frustrated constituents over Trump's sweeping federal cuts.

Town hall events up and down the country have become a rowdy affair as both Republican and Democrats face hundreds of concerned and often angry residents, over the Trump administration's actions, and Democrats' perceived failure to act.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told lawmakers to skip town halls where they have faced protests, but Hageman had continued her town halls until last week.

On March 19, when she held an event in Laramie with more than 1,300 people, she said many booed and yelled during the event. The next day, she said a constituent at a town hall in Wheatland, followed her outside and got into a "physical confrontation" with Hageman's staff, which led to them calling the police.

"The continuation of in-person town halls will be a drain on our local resources due to safety concerns for attendees," she said in the statement.

House Democratic leader makes direct appeal to Trump to fire Hegseth

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has called up on President Trump to fire Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in a letter.

Jeffries says that Hegseth "threatens the nation's security and puts our brave men and women in uniform throughout the world in danger."

He called for the defense secretary to be fired immediately," after Hegseth discussed U.S. military plans to bomb Yemen on an unclassified Signal chat.

Growing GOP calls for investigation into leaked war plans group chat

There is growing support among Republican lawmakers for an investigation into the leaked war plans group chat between some of the most senior members of the national security team.

Sen. Kevin Cramer told CNN that he hoped for an immediate internal investigation within the administration "to clear the air and move forward, not to dwell on it."

He said he would also support a probe by the Senate Armed Services Committee after the internal investigation.

Cramer criticized some of the officials' denial that the sensitive information discussing plans for the air strikes on Yemen was classified, saying that wasn't a "particularly effective way to handle it."

Rep. Dan Newhouse also agreed that an investigation into the "high-level conversations" was needed, "so it's done properly in the future."

Sen. Joni Ernst added that she hoped Congress received a briefing from the National Security Council on its investigation.

Trump signs executive action overhauling US elections

President Trump has signed an executive order to overhaul U.S. elections, including requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.

It also requires that all ballots are received by Election Day.

The order claims that the U.S. has failed "to enforce basic and necessary election protections."

It demanded states share voter lists, prosecute election related crimes, and threatened that any state that resisted would have federal funding removed.

What is JD Vance's problem with Europe? Former diplomat shares his theory

For many in Europe, Vice President JD Vance's skepticism toward the continent has long been evident.

As the junior senator from Ohio, he criticized NATO spending habits, mocked EU technocrats and labeled U.S. support for Ukraine an "unsustainable indulgence." As a senate candidate, he went further, famously saying he didn't "really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another."

When President Donald Trump selected Vance as his running mate, some allies hoped the weight of the office might moderate his views.

That did not happen.

A private group chat among senior Trump administration officials on the encrypted app Signal that was inadvertently shared with The Atlantic's editor-in-chief has thrust Vance's stance on the EU back into the open.

Read in full from Jesus Mesa on Newsweek.

Usha Vance will no longer attend dogsled race in Greenland

Usha Vance will no longer attend dogsled race in Greenland amid angry pushback over her and her husband's visit, the White House said Tuesday.

The Second Lady had been expected to attend the event, without any invite from its organizers.

Instead she will join her husband, VP JD Vance, on a visit to the U.S. Pituffik Space Base in Greenland "to receive a briefing on Arctic security issues and meet with U.S. servicemembers".

That "will take place in lieu of the Second Lady's previously announced visit to the Avannaata Qimussersu dogsled race in Sisimiut," the White House said.

There has been widespread anger at the U.S. officials' uninvited visit to Greenland as President Trump and his Cabinet suggest America should annex the geopolitically European country.

JD Vance announces he will join his wife for Greenland trip

JD Vance has announced he will join his wife, Usha Vance, on her trip to Greenland this week, despite furious backlash.

"I decided that I didn't want her to have all that fun by herself, so I'm going to join her", Vance said in a video shared on X, on Tuesday. "I'm going to visit some of our guardians in the Space Force on the northwest coast of Greenland, and also just check out what's going on with the security there of Greenland".

The Vances are expected to fly out on Thursday and return home on Saturday. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright will also be visiting the self-governing Danish territory.

Democrat responds to backlash after calling Abbott 'governor Hot Wheels'

Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas has responded to the backlash after she appeared to mock her state's governor during a weekend appearance, referring to Greg Abbott — who uses a wheelchair — as "Governor Hot Wheels."

"You all know we got Governor Hot Wheels down there. Come on, now," Crockett, a Dallas Democrat, said about Abbott, a Republican, while addressing the Human Rights Campaign event. "And the only thing hot about him is that he is a hot-ass mess, honey."

Abbott was paralyzed in 1984 when a falling tree struck him during a run, causing severe spinal cord damage. Now 67 years old, he was elected governor in 2014.

Read in full from Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.

Trump administration pauses some green card applications

The Trump administration has paused some green card applications, potentially affecting thousands who came to the United States as refugees or asylum seekers.

A U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official told Newsweek on Tuesday that the pause on some so-called adjustment of status applications was because of two executive orders signed by President Donald Trump.

"This sweeping and indefinite stop on green card processing is yet another attempt for this administration to baselessly paint all immigrants as a national security risk," National Immigrant Justice Center Director of Policy Azadeh Erfani told Newsweek.

The pause potentially leaves thousands of applicants with an even longer wait time for permanent residency while some of the legal pathways they arrived on are being dismantled by the Trump administration. Trump has promised millions of illegal immigrants will be deported during his time in office, with some advocates fearing those who do not have criminal records will be included to boost numbers.

Read in full from Dan Gooding on Newsweek.

Trump says Waltz doesn't have to apologize for catastrophic leak

President Donald Trump has defended national security adviser Mike Waltz who reportedly accidentally added a journalist to a secret group chat discussing America's plans to bomb Yemen.

"I don't think he should apologize," Trump said on Tuesday. "I think he's doing his best.

"It's the equipment and technology that's not perfect, and probably he won't be using it again, at least not in the future."

Trump told Waltz to look into the leak, and Waltz said that he had tech and legal teams looking into it, after he allegedly added Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic to the chat,

WATCH: Waltz says he's 'never met, never communicated with' The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg

'Hegseth is the most unqualified secretary of defense in history': Duckworth

Senator Tammy Duckworth has criticized Pete Hegseth over the unprecedented leak of war plans, after a high profile journalist was added to a group chat on Signal.

"Hegseth is literally the most unqualified secretary of defense in history, and this is further demonstrating his incompetence," Duckworth said on Tuesday.

"He's literally leaking classified war plans via group chat. If you're our allies, I'd be thinking twice about sharing classified information with the U.S."

She added that Hegseth, and some of the other key national security team members who were part of the chat, "need to lose their jobs."

Mike Waltz reacts to war plans Signal leak

National security adviser Michael Waltz said Tuesday that he's never met or communicated with Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic.

Waltz's comments come after Goldberg reported that Waltz and other top national security officials inadvertently included him in a group chat on Signal in which they discussed plans to launch military air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

The United States has designated the Houthis a foreign terrorist organization. The militant group has been launching attacks on Western commercial vessels in the Red Sea for more than a year.

Waltz told reporters on Tuesday that he's "never met, don't know, never communicated with" Goldberg. The national security adviser added that the Trump administration is "looking into and reviewing how the heck he got into this group."

Read the full story by Sonam Sheth on Newsweek.

Trump hints at executive action to end sanctuary cities

Trump indicated that he may soon take executive action to end sanctuary cities, areas that limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. During a White House meeting with his administration's ambassadors, Trump said, "We're gonna end sanctuary cities for some of these jurisdictions that aren't cooperating with law enforcement."

While he did not provide further details, Trump has long criticized Democrat-led jurisdictions for not enforcing stricter immigration policies. He added, "We may be presenting you very shortly with an executive order ending sanctuary cities."

Trump defends use of Signal app amid chat controversy

Trump addressed concerns over the use of the Signal app in a recent interview, downplaying the issue and saying, "There was no classified information, as I understand it."

He said that Signal, commonly used by the media and military, was a widely-used tool, though he acknowledged that the potential for breaches exists. Trump emphasized the importance of in-person meetings, particularly in the Situation Room, for secure communication.

He also noted that while Signal is widely used, its accessibility could lead to vulnerabilities.

Trump signs sweeping order aimed at voting access

Trump signed a sweeping executive action aimed at overhauling elections in the United States. The action is designed to "cut down" on the number of immigrants in the country illegally who are believed to be on voter rolls, utilizing Department of Homeland Security data to prevent such migrants from casting ballots.

One key element of the order seeks to include a "citizenship question" on federal voting forms and to reduce federal election funding to states that fail to take "reasonable steps" to secure their voting systems. The executive action also revokes a 2021 Biden administration order intended to promote access to voting.

The Trump administration has labeled the move as "the farthest-reaching executive action taken in the history of the Republic to secure our elections." After signing, Trump indicated that additional actions on election security would be taken in the coming weeks.

Warren highlights concerns over SSA service cuts during confirmation hearing

During a 2 1/2-hour hearing before the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) raised concerns about the potential impact of recent Social Security Administration (SSA) cuts on individuals with limited access to the internet or mobility. Warren described a scenario where such a person could be turned away from an understaffed SSA office far from their home due to the agency's upcoming cuts and office closures.

As part of an overhaul by the Department of Government Efficiency, the SSA has announced federal worker layoffs and a planned reduction in nationwide phone services. Warren questioned Thomas Bisignano, who is nominated to lead the SSA, asking if these actions would result in benefit cuts. Bisignano responded, "I have no intent to have anything like that happen under my watch."

Republican senators, however, voiced support for Bisignano's nomination, with Senate Finance Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID) expressing confidence in his ability to manage the challenges facing the agency.

Appeals court allows Trump administration to halt new refugee admissions

An appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration can suspend the entry of new refugees while a legal battle continues over the president's executive order halting the refugee admissions program.

The decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allows refugees who had already been conditionally approved before Trump's presidency to be processed. However, new approvals will be suspended under the order.

This ruling overrules a previous decision by U.S. District Judge Jamal Whitehead, who had found that Trump's executive action could not override the law passed by Congress that established the program.

Trump administration allowed to suspend refugee approval

An appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration is allowed to suspend approval of new refugees.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stated that refugees who were conditionally approved before Trump took office must still be processed.

The court overturns the ruling from District Judge Jamal Whitehead who found that Trump could not nullify the refugee law as it was passed by Congress.

Colorado Republicans remove portrait of Trump from statehouse

A portrait of Donald Trump painted by a Colorado artist, which had been displayed in the Colorado statehouse since 2019, was taken down at the request of Republican leaders in the state Legislature.

The portrait, commissioned by Colorado Republicans who raised over $10,000 for the project, had been prominently displayed alongside other presidential portraits. However, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, stating he would prefer no picture at all over the one that was hanging.

By Tuesday morning, the portrait was no longer displayed, with the Colorado Building Advisory Committee overseeing the removal.

FBI launches task force to tackle Tesla violence

The FBI has launched a task force to investigate people who are setting fire to Tesla cars in the U.S.

Ben Williamson, the Assistant Director for Public Affairs at the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) announced on X, formerly Twitter, that the bureau has launched the unit with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to "coordinate investigative activity and crack down on violent Tesla attacks."

The announcement follows an FBI warning about several attacks on Teslas and Tesla dealerships across the country.

The move comes after Attorney General Pam Bondi declared that attacks on Teslas are "nothing short of domestic terrorism," echoing President Donad Trump's view.

However, under the Trump administration the FBI has cut staffing focused on domestic terrorism, and stopped using a tool for tracking related investigations, according to Reuters.

Read the full story by Sophie Clark on Newsweek.

Florida may replace immigrant workers with child labor

Florida Republicans are pushing to change labor laws and allow teens as young as 14 to work overnight shifts, in an effort to make up for shortfalls caused by deportations.

There are more than 11 million immigrants with no legal status living in the United States, according to Pew Research Center, and President Donald Trump has vowed to deport millions of them. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt even told reporters on January 29 that the new Trump administration recognized all migrants without status as criminals. But critics say deportations on this scale could mean labor shortages and lead to rising prices.

The proposal to change labor law age restrictions, set to be reviewed by a Florida Senate committee on Tuesday morning, aligns with Gov. Ron DeSantis' argument that a younger workforce could help replace the "dirt cheap" labor provided by undocumented migrants.

"Why do we say we need to import foreigners, even import them illegally, when you know, teenagers used to work at these resorts, college students should be able to do this stuff," DeSantis said last week at panel with border czar, Tom Homan.

Read in full from Billal Rahman on Newsweek.

Bell nominated to oversee Medicare and Medicaid fraud audits

Thomas March Bell has been nominated to oversee audits of fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which collectively cost taxpayers over $1 trillion annually.

Bell, who currently serves as general counsel for House Republicans, has a long history of working with GOP politicians and congressional offices. His nomination is seen as unusually political for a position traditionally focused on maintaining fiscal accountability.

In 1997, Bell was dismissed from Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality after an audit revealed he improperly authorized an $8,000 payment to the agency's former spokesman. He also previously led investigations into abortion clinics.

Five high-level CDC officials step down amid leadership changes

Five senior leaders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are leaving the agency, following three other recent departures. The resignations, described as retirements, were disclosed during a meeting of senior leaders but were not announced publicly.

The CDC, based in Atlanta, operates through two dozen centers and offices, meaning that nearly a third of its top management is leaving or has already departed. Two CDC officials confirmed the news to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

The exits come just a day after the White House announced its nomination of Susan Monarez as the new CDC director, though it remains unclear whether the leadership changes were influenced by this decision. Earlier this month, the Trump administration withdrew the nomination of former Florida congressman Dr. David Weldon before his scheduled Senate hearing.

National Intelligence director warns Russia still a threat

Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, told a Senate intelligence committee Tuesday that Russia was still a threat to the U.S., despite Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin's friendly relationship.

Gabbard warned that Russia had both powerful cyber capabilities as well as a new nuclear weapon.

"Among Russia's most concerning developments is a new satellite designed to carry a nuclear weapon," she said.

Did Pete Hegseth break the law over war plans? Experts weigh in

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may have broken the law by using a civilian app to share extremely sensitive war plans, a former military attorney has said.

There has been an enormous fallout after an editor at The Atlantic magazine revealed that he was included in Hegseth's group chat ahead of the U.S bombing of Houthi rebels in Yemen.

In an article for The Atlantic published online on Monday, Jeffrey Goldberg, the magazine's editor-in-chief, wrote that he had been accidentally invited to the group chat with top members of the White House national security team and wrote that he'd "never seen a breach quite like this."

Goldberg wrote that on March 13, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz added him to a Signal group chat called "Houthi PC small group."

Goldberg wrote that the conversation in the Signal group chat culminated in Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sharing highly sensitive and classified details about the Pentagon's plan to carry out military air strikes against the Houthis, who have been launching attacks on Western commercial vessels in the Red Sea for more than a year.

Read in full from Sean O'Driscoll on Newsweek.

The Atlantic's Goldberg considering release of full Trump war plan texts

Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, told Tim Miller on Tuesday's Bulwark Podcast that the magazine is still considering whether or not to release the full Trump administration war plan texts he received via the Signal messaging app.

Goldberg spoke with Miller about how he was added to the text thread that included top Trump officials, the White House's response and whether or not he should publish the full transcript.

"My colleagues and I and the people who are giving us advice on this have some interesting conversations to have about this. But just because they're irresponsible with material, doesn't mean that I'm going to be irresponsible," The Atlantic's editor told Miller.

WATCH: Moment senator grills CIA Director over Signal war plans chat leak

Panama ambassador nominee refuses to commit to upholding its sovereignty

President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Panama, Kevin Cabrera, was asked to commit to upholding Panama's sovereignty if confirmed, at his hearing today.

Cabrera refused, saying he would defer to Trump.

He added that the president had said "all the options are on the table" for the United States taking over control of the Panama Canal, but that also included diplomacy.

When Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, raised concerns about invading Panama or forcing them to give up control of its canal, Cabrera simply responded, "President Trump is our commander in chief, and I stand behind him and his policies."

Frank Bisignano faces Senate hearing on social security privatization concerns

Frank Bisignano, a self-described "DOGE person," appeared before the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday for his confirmation hearing to lead the Social Security Administration. Democratic lawmakers pressed him on whether the Trump administration intends to privatize Social Security or reduce benefits.

Bisignano denied any knowledge of such plans, saying, "I've never heard a word of it, and I've never thought about it." The agency remains central in discussions over proposed cuts to taxpayer services by the Department of Government Efficiency.

Gabbard declines to confirm use of Signal on personal phone

During a hearing Tuesday, Tulsi Gabbard refused to say whether she used her personal phone to participate in a Signal group chat where classified information about a Yemen strike was shared.

Gabbard, who was overseas at the time, said the matter is "under review by the National Security Council."

Democrats demand full text of Signal chat

Top intelligence officials from the Trump administration were grilled in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee in their first testimony in office on the threats facing the United States and to address pressing concerns over a recent security breach in which war plans were accidentally leaked to a journalist.

Near the end of Tuesday's hearing, Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia asked if the leak was a "huge mistake," Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director John Ratcliffe responded "No." Ossoff then replied, "This is an embarrassment. We will get the full transcript of this chain, and your testimony will be measured carefully against its content."

Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia denounced what he called a pattern of "careless, incompetent behavior" by the Trump administration with regard to the handling of sensitive information.

Ossoff and Warner were among the Democrats calling for the full Signal chat transcript that included The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg to be released by Trump officials.

Read in full from Gabe Whisnant on Newsweek.

GOP governors push Trump to approve education block grants

Republican governors in several states are urging the Trump administration to consolidate federal education aid into block grants, a long-held conservative goal. Iowa has positioned itself as a test case, asking the Education Department to merge 10 funding streams into a single grant with minimal restrictions.

Oklahoma and Florida are exploring similar approaches, while as many as a dozen other GOP-led states may submit requests. Supporters argue block grants would reduce federal oversight and give states more flexibility, while critics warn they could divert resources from vulnerable student groups.

'General military targets' discussed in leaked group chat

"General military targets" were discussed by senior members of the national security team in the group chat that a high profile journalist was accidentally added to.

"I believe there was discussion around targets in general," National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbar admitted at a senate intelligence select committee hearing on Tuesday. "I don't recall specific names of systems or weapons being used".

Gabbard insisted that the information that had been shared in the Signal chat was not classified.

However, when asked if information about a military strike should be classified, CIA Director John Ratcliffe said, "Pre decisional strike deliberation should be conducted through classified channels."

Rep. Don Bacon criticizes White House over leaked war plans

Rep. Don Bacon, a Republican from Nebraska, said Tuesday that the White House should determine whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or National Security Adviser Michael Waltz should face consequences after military plans were shared in a group chat that included a journalist.

Bacon expressed concern that classified information was placed on an unclassified system and said the defense secretary should be held accountable. However, he dismissed the need for an Armed Services Committee investigation, stating that the situation was clear.

He also criticized the White House's claim that no sensitive information was leaked, calling it misleading. "They need to be honest and take responsibility," Bacon said.

Bacon, a retired U.S. Air Force officer, has extensive experience in electronic warfare and intelligence.

Republican warns colleagues GOP '1 flu season away' from losing majority

House Republican Tim Burchett has urged his colleagues to "get off your victory lap" and realize that the GOP is "1 flu season away" from losing their majority, an apparent reference to the virus' mortality rate.

Newsweek reached out to Burchett via phone for comment on Tuesday.

The Republicans have only a wafer-thin majority in the House of Representatives, with 218 seats versus 213 for the Democrats and another four seats vacant.

In addition to securing the White House in November, Republicans also took the Senate, where they now have 53 senators against 47 who caucus with the Democrats.

However, they could lose one or both chambers of Congress at the November 2026 midterm elections, at which point it would become significantly harder for them to pass bills into law. The GOP had a majority in both chambers during the first two years of Trump's first term, from 2017-19, but lost the House in the 2018 midterm elections.

Read the full story by James Bickerton on Newsweek.

Trump envoy accessed leaked group chat while in Moscow: Report

Donald Trump's Middle East envoy allegedly accessed the leaked group chat that discussed secret plans to bomb Yemen, while in Moscow.

Steve Witkoff is reported to have accessed the Signal chat while on his trip to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week, which could be a major security breach.

When asked about Witkoff's actions, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, who was also part of the group chat, said, "I'm not aware of that."

Senate democrats call for investigations after top officials shared military plans with Atlantic editor

Senate Democrats are calling for further investigations and potential resignations after it was revealed that top national security officials shared military plans in a group chat that included Jeff Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of *The Atlantic* magazine.

Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado expressed concern, telling CIA Director John Ratcliffe that the leak was an "embarrassment" and questioning if it was "just a normal day at the CIA." Bennet also demanded answers on how Goldberg was added to the chat, asking, "Did he invite himself to the Signal thread?"

In response, Ratcliffe admitted, "I don't know how he was invited," confirming that Goldberg was "added to the Signal group." This incident has raised alarms about the handling of sensitive information within government circles.

CIA director says Signal chat was not supposed to be a substitute for classified comms

CIA Director John Ratcliffe told a Senate intelligence committee hearing that the Signal group chat was created "to be a mechanism for coordinating between senior level officials but not a substitute for using high side or classified communications."

Ratcliffe confirmed he was on the group chat and said that when he started at the CIA, the encrypted messaging app was downloaded onto his government computer.

He insisted during the hearing that all the information he had shared had been "entirely permissible and lawful."

"We will make that determination," Sen. Mark Warner, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Intel Committee, shot back.

High side refers to classified information at a high level, such as Confidential, Secret, or Top Secret.

Judge gives new directive after Trump admin uses 'state secrets privilege'

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg gave lawyers for Venezuelan deportees until Monday, March 31 to respond to the Trump administration's invocation of the state secrets privilege and refusal to give the court any additional information about the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador.

Senate Intel Committee Vice Chair calls on Hegseth, Waltz to resign

Sen. Mark Warner, the Vice Chairman of the Senate Intel Committee, has called upon several high profile members of the national security team to step down after the unprecedented leak of war plans.

"When the stakes are this high, incompetence is not an option," Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, wrote on X.

"Pete Hegseth should resign. Mike Waltz should resign."

Tulsi Gabbard warns of global military threats, highlights China's advancements

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard warned that China is heavily investing in advanced military technologies, including stealth aircraft, hypersonic weapons, and nuclear arms, aiming to outpace the U.S. in artificial intelligence development.

During her testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard also highlighted Russia's significant nuclear arsenal, calling the country a "formidable competitor." She noted that while Iran is not currently pursuing nuclear weapons, it has become a crucial supplier of arms to Russia.

Gabbard further discussed North Korea's ongoing efforts to enhance its military capabilities, particularly targeting U.S. forces and the U.S. homeland. She emphasized that these nations, in some cases, are cooperating to challenge U.S. interests globally.

Trump unveils Black Sea deal with Russia, Ukraine

The White House said Russia and Ukraine have both agreed to "eliminate the use of force" in the Black Sea following talks in Saudi Arabia.

In two separate statements on the outcomes of the talks between the sides, the White House said Moscow and Kyiv had "agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea."

Moreover, the White House said the U.S. "will help restore Russia's access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions."

CIA director defends leaked military plans, says no classified info involved

CIA Director John Ratcliffe defended his communications in a leaked Signal group chat, asserting that the military plans shared were "entirely permissible and lawful." The plans, which were reportedly shared in a group chat that included a journalist, had sparked criticism from Democrats who called the leak a reckless security breach.

During a Senate hearing on global security threats, Ratcliffe told lawmakers that no classified information was included in the messages. He addressed concerns raised by Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, and stressed that the rules had not been violated.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard further clarified the situation, stating that there is a difference between "inadvertent" releases of information and intentional leaks, reiterating that the leaked materials did not include any classified content.

U.S. consumer confidence drops for fourth consecutive month

U.S. consumer confidence fell for the fourth month in a row, hitting a 12-year low as Americans' concerns over their financial futures increased. The Conference Board reported a 7.2-point decline in its consumer confidence index for March, dropping to 92.9. Analysts had expected a smaller decrease, with a forecasted reading of 94.5.

The index's measure of Americans' short-term expectations for income, business, and the job market dropped by 9.6 points to 65.2, signaling heightened anxiety about the economy. This marks the lowest reading in 12 years, falling below the threshold of 80, which often indicates a potential recession.

Despite these concerns, purchasing intentions for big-ticket items like appliances increased, possibly due to a desire to buy before tariff-induced price hikes take effect. The survey also noted a decline in plans to purchase homes and cars. While inflation has decreased from its post-pandemic peak, it remains above the Federal Reserve's target of 2%, contributing to consumer unease.

The drop in confidence follows a period of strong spending during the holidays, but retail sales showed a sharp decline in January, with colder weather partly responsible. Consumer spending rebounded slightly in February, but concerns over tariffs and inflation are expected to continue influencing Americans' financial outlook.

Democrats criticize Trump officials for sharing war plans in group chat

Democratic lawmakers are condemning national security officials from the Trump administration for sharing sensitive war plans in a group chat that included a reporter. The leaked conversation, which revealed secret details about U.S. plans to strike Yemen, has sparked backlash for what many are calling sloppy and careless behavior.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, who serves as vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called the leak "incompetent behavior" and emphasized that lower-ranking officers would likely be fired for similar actions. His comments came during a Senate hearing where CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, and FBI Director Kash Patel were scheduled to testify.

Columbia University faculty files lawsuit over $400 million funding cut

Faculty and teacher groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming that the $400 million funding cut to Columbia University violated free speech protections. The American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers argue that the cuts, which stem from allegations of antisemitism linked to pro-Palestinian protests, were unlawful.

The lawsuit contends that such actions threaten academic freedom and could lead to government interference in universities' operations. Columbia recently agreed to several conditions to regain funding, including changes to its Middle East studies department and new protest regulations, which the lawsuit deems an unprecedented violation of the school's autonomy.

The Education Department has not yet commented on the legal challenge.

Republican pollster: More Americans think Trump's US taking wrong direction

A survey from a conservative-leaning pollster has shown the number of Americans who think the United States is going in the wrong direction has marginally increased in recent weeks.

Newsweek reached out to the White House via email for comment.

Polling about the state of the country is a good indicator of President Donald Trump's political strength and the extent to which he commands the support of voters.

While his presidency is in its infancy, shaping a positive narrative about the U.S.'s future will prove crucial when America heads into the midterm election cycle in 2026.

According to a Rasmussen Reports poll of 1,965 U.S. likely voters, 50 percent think the country is on the wrong track. The survey, conducted from March 16 to March 20, has a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points.

When Rasmussen last conducted polling, from March 9 to March 13, 48 percent of people said the country was heading in the wrong direction, 2 percent less than in the latest poll. However, this 2-percentage-point decline is within the poll's margin of error.

Read the full story by Kate Plummer on Newsweek.

Signal: a secure, privacy-focused messaging app

The Atlantic editor-in-chief's recent account of being inadvertently added to a secure Signal group chat of U.S. national security officials has sparked concerns over the handling of highly sensitive information. In the chat, officials coordinated plans for airstrikes, prompting questions about the security of communications.

Signal is a free, open-source messaging app designed to prioritize user privacy, offering end-to-end encrypted communication for text, voice, and video calls, as well as file sharing. The app ensures that only the sender and recipient can access messages and calls, providing a secure environment for communication.

Signal's features include messaging for text, photos, videos, GIFs, and files, along with encrypted voice and video calls. It supports group chats with up to 1,000 people and group calls with up to 40 participants. Signal also offers Stories that disappear after 24 hours and encrypted stickers for added fun.

Developed by the non-profit Signal Foundation, the app is free to use and open source, meaning anyone can access and contribute to its code. Signal is ad-free, with no trackers or affiliate marketers, reinforcing its commitment to privacy. Available on both Android and iOS devices, Signal is a secure and reliable tool for communication.

Sen. Tom Cotton focuses on national security amid group chat controversy

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas addressed the recent controversy over several top Trump national security officials accidentally including a journalist in a secure messaging app group chat discussing war plans. While acknowledging the issue will come up, Cotton emphasized that the focus should remain on the hearing's core subject—threats facing the United States and government countermeasures.

FBI Director Kash Patel, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard are among those scheduled to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday and the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday.

Trump admin's reported IRS plan would face legal challenges: Attorney

The Trump administration's reported plan to let immigration authorities gain access to Internal Revenue Service data may face legal challenges, according to experts.

"I suspect they will be promptly challenged in federal court, and it will be up to the courts to decide what information and under what circumstances the IRS may release for immigration enforcement purposes," tax attorney Adam Brewer of AB Tax Law told Newsweek.

Undocumented immigrants can file taxes and register with the IRS, which is legally obligated to keep their information confidential unless required to disclose it in certain circumstances.

Under the pending agreement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would submit the names and addresses of individuals it suspects are living in the country illegally to the IRS, which would cross-reference and verify the information, The Washington Post and CNN reported.

"We cannot confirm this at the time," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Newsweek.

Read the full story by Billal Rahman on Newsweek.

Senate committee to hold confirmation hearing for Social Security Administration nominee

The Senate Finance Committee will hold a confirmation hearing today on Frank Bisignano's nomination to be commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA). The hearing is set to begin at 10:10 a.m. ET and is expected to last around two and a half hours.

Bisignano will likely face tough questions regarding the future of the SSA, especially with increasing talk of privatizing the agency. The hearing follows threats from the acting commissioner to shut down the agency after a federal judge blocked the Department of Government Efficiency from accessing sensitive personal data.

Top Democrats, including Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, have already expressed concerns about the agency's future. They sent a letter to Bisignano yesterday, questioning whether he supports privatizing Social Security and if he would reverse recent changes, such as the closure of Social Security offices and mass layoffs.

Leavitt defends Trump, denies 'war plans' discussed in Houthi strike thread

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back against claims made by The Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg, who reported on a group chat involving top U.S. officials discussing attacks against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

In a tweet, Leavitt denied that "war plans" were discussed in the thread, further stating that no classified material was shared.

Defiant Dreamer doesn't fear deportation under Trump

A Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient has told Newsweek that she doesn't fear deportation under the Trump administration.

"I could lose my DACA come December because I'm fighting against that administration but at this point, I'm like I don't care," Karla Castaneda, the executive director of the Workers' Rights Education Project, said in an interview.

"At this point, it's like we need to fight," she added.

DACA recipients, commonly known as Dreamers, are individuals who were brought to the United States illegally as children. The program protects them from ICE detention and deportation, however these protections can be revoked by federal authorities.

Read the full story by Billal Rahman on Newsweek.

Trump and Vance scheduled for lunch at White House, followed by executive orders

Trump and Vance are set to have lunch in the White House private dining room at 12:30 p.m. ET today, according to the White House.

Following the meal, Trump is scheduled to sign a series of executive orders at 2 p.m. ET.

Russia calls recent talks with us officials 'useful' amid Ukraine war discussions

Russian senator Grigory Karasin called recent talks with US officials "useful" following meetings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, focused on Russia's war in Ukraine. Karasin, part of Moscow's delegation, stated that the dialogue was complex but beneficial for both sides.

According to Russian state media, future discussions would include broader international participation, such as the United Nations and other nations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that both Russia and the US are reviewing the results of the talks, adding that while the discussions were "technical," the full details would not be disclosed.

The US delegation also met with Ukrainian officials in parallel, as efforts to broker peace continue.

Trump voter considers leaving US after wife's arrest by ICE

A Wisconsin man who voted for President Donald Trump has told Newsweek he is "seriously considering" leaving the United States after federal immigration authorities detained his wife.

Bradley Bartell's wife, Camila Muñoz, is a Peruvian citizen who remained in the U.S. after her visa expired while she was in the process of securing permanent residency.

"I've been seriously considering moving to Peru if they deport her, nothing is for certain yet, but it is in the back of my mind," said Bartell.

In February, Muñoz and Bartell traveled to Puerto Rico to finally take their long-awaited honeymoon. However, upon returning to the U.S. mainland, immigration agents stopped Muñoz and questioned her citizenship status. When she explained that she was not an American citizen but was in the process of obtaining a green card, agents detained her.

Read the exclusive by Billal Rahman on Newsweek.

Buttigieg blasts Trump officials over Signal war plans leak

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg criticized Trump administration officials for discussing U.S. war plans against Yemen's Houthi rebels in a Signal chat that mistakenly included The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg.

Buttigieg, a Navy veteran, called the incident "the highest level of f***-up imaginable" in a post on TikTok, adding, "These people cannot keep America safe."

Huckabee's Israel stance faces scrutiny as Senate confirmation begins

Trump's nominee for U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, will face a Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday amid rising tensions in Gaza. Huckabee, a strong supporter of Israel and a vocal critic of the two-state solution, has endorsed positions that contradict longstanding U.S. policy.

Huckabee's past statements favoring Israeli annexation of the West Bank and denying Palestinian identity have drawn criticism from Arab nations. His confirmation comes as Trump's administration considers controversial proposals, including U.S. control over Gaza, following the collapse of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

In prepared remarks, Huckabee praises Trump's first-term policies toward Israel, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and brokering the Abraham Accords. However, his views on annexation and Gaza will likely be key points of contention during his hearing.

ACLU sues Trump administration over passport policy for trans, nonbinary

The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the Trump administration over a policy barring gender marker changes on U.S. passports. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of seven plaintiffs, argues that the policy discriminates against transgender and nonbinary Americans, preventing them from obtaining passports that reflect their identities.

One plaintiff, Ash Lazarus Orr, has been unable to travel abroad for gender-affirming care after his passport renewal was delayed due to the policy. The ACLU is seeking a preliminary injunction in federal court to halt the policy while the case proceeds.

The Trump administration argues that the policy does not violate constitutional protections and asserts that plaintiffs are still free to travel despite discrepancies between state and federal identification documents.

TikTok ban: Senators urge Trump to give company more time

President Donald Trump is facing renewed pressure from Senate Democrats to work with Congress to legally extend a fast-approaching deadline that could determine the future of TikTok in the United States.

Lawmakers argue that Trump's executive action delaying enforcement of a federal divestment order has raised legal concerns and deepened uncertainty for the app's 170 million U.S. users. With multiple bidders vying for control of TikTok's U.S. operations, the issue has become a political flashpoint just weeks before the ban could take effect.

The deadline for TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to divest from its U.S. operations is April 5, 2025. That stems from a law passed in 2024 requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S.-controlled entity or face a nationwide ban.

The divestment deadline was originally January 19, but President Trump issued an executive order on his first day in office that delayed enforcement by 75 days.

Read the full story by Dan Cody on Newsweek.