Trump administration files emergency request asking US supreme court to lift order blocking USPS from implementing mail-in voting restrictions
As a federal judge is deciding whether to extend a ban on the USPS’s new mail-in voting restrictions, Donald Trump has asked the US supreme court to step in.
The Justice Department filed an emergency request seeking to have the court lift Judge Indira Talwani’s order that temporarily blocks the postal service from implementing the plan, which includes an online portal that would track millions of mail ballots.
The new system to regulate mail ballots, which came about following an executive order by Trump, has drawn fierce criticism. A whistleblower told Congress that the requirements could result in scores of mail ballots never being sent.
Key events
Summary
We’re wrapping up our live coverage for the day. Here are today’s key developments in US politics:
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The Trump administration filed an emergency request asking the US supreme court to lift order blocking USPS from implementing mail-in voting restrictions. Chuck Schumer said the president was “[attempting] to destroy the integrity of our elections” with the move.
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Excavation work on Donald Trump’s “Great Triumphal Arch” project in Washington is set to begin in the coming weeks, interior secretary Doug Burgum said. Congressman Don Beyer, whose district includes Arlington National Cemetery, described the arch project as “illegal, gridlock-increasing [and] narcissistic”.
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Missouri’s supreme court ruled that a Donald Trump-backed US House map must go before voters to approve or reject the new districts, preventing it from being used in the upcoming November election. Trump and Republicans fumed over the decision.
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Maryland’s supreme court has decided that a Democrat-backed congressional redistricting amendment can go before voters in the state in November in a win for Democrats.
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Donald Trump announced an interim replacement for army secretary, Dan Driscoll, who suddenly resigned earlier this week amid reports of tension between him and defense secretary Pete Hegseth.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been asked to testify before a congressional subcommittee as part of an investigation into the “potential misallocation” of federal funds by the region’s Homeless Services Authority. Congressman Robert Garcia described the move as “another attempt by Donald Trump and House Republicans to launch a witch hunt against Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been asked to testify before a congressional subcommittee as part of an investigation into the “potential misallocation” of federal funds by the region’s Homeless Services Authority.
The Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency said in a letter to Bass that it was looking at “waste, fraud, and abuse” of federal grants to address homelessness.
Federal officials are investigating the agency’s use of funds because of “repeated false statements and its irresponsible actions and failures, including its lack of financial management, internal controls, and safeguards against conflicts of interest,” the letter states. The Trump administration sought to freeze funding for the agency earlier this year – a move that was blocked by a judge.
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority has recently been under increased scrutiny by local and federal officials. The county announced this year that it would seek a review of the agency’s financial and operational practices over delays in invoice processing and failure to pay county providers as scheduled. An audit earlier this year identified issues with the agency’s bookkeeping and accounting.
Bass sits on the agency’s board – the first mayor in the city to do so – but has been absent from more than half of the meetings in the last three years, according to LAist.
Congressman Robert Garcia described the move as “another attempt by Donald Trump and House Republicans to launch a witch hunt against Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles.”
Chuck Schumer said Donald Trump was “[attempting] to destroy the integrity of our elections” by asking the supreme court to lift an order blocking USPS from implementing mail-in voting restrictions.
The Senate Democratic leader said in a statement that the court should not “accelerate a case that so poisons our democracy”. Earlier Thursday, the Trump administration asked the court to step in to allow the USPS new system to regulate mail ballots to go into effect.
“Americans are fed up with Trump, his failed war, and his rising costs. But instead of facing the voters, Trump is trying to make it harder for them to vote and hold him accountable for his horrific agenda.”
In more redistricting news, Maryland’s supreme court has decided that a Democrat-backed congressional redistricting amendment can go before voters in the state in November.
The ruling, a major victory for Democrats, comes after two lower courts first blocked it from appearing on ballots. The proposal could allow Democrats to create new congressional districts ahead of the 2028 election if voters approve it.
Missouri voters must decide whether to adopt Trump-backed US House map, state supreme court rules
Missouri’s supreme court has ruled that a Donald Trump-backed US House map must go before voters to approve or reject the new districts, preventing it from being used in the upcoming November election.
The development was a blow to Republicans who were hoping the new congressional boundaries would help them keep a majority in the House in the midterms. Trump fumed over the ruling, describing it as “horrible, ridiculous, and unConstitutional” and arguing the election process was being “disturbed”.
Catherine Hanaway, the state’s Republican attorney general, planned to appeal the decision to the supreme court. She argued it “thrust our state into a full‑fledged constitutional crisis”.
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries praised the ruling, calling it a “resounding victory for the people of the Show-Me State and a clear message to MAGA extremists trying to rig the midterm elections.”
“The people are now empowered to decide what the congressional map should look like in November, not Donald Trump and corrupt Republicans,” Jeffries said.
Energy, manufacturing, agriculture and transportation groups are appealing to Congress to take action to stop California clean car rules that it argues aim to “[limit] choice in vehicle and other engine purchasing decisions”.
Dozens of groups, including the American Petroleum Institute, the US Chamber of Commerce and Agricultural Retailers Association, sent a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate asking for congressional intervention. The missive came one day after a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from overturning a set of California vehicle pollution standards.
“We strongly urge Congress to protect consumer choice by using its Congressional Review Act authority to disapprove these rule makings. Doing so will protect consumers, our economy, and our national security,” the authors wrote.
Donald Trump announced an interim replacement for army secretary, Dan Driscoll, who suddenly resigned earlier this week amid reports of tension between him and defense secretary Pete Hegseth.
The president said on Thursday that Adam Telle, who currently serves as the assistant secretary of the army office for civil works, will become the acting army secretary.
“He is a Great Patriot, who is respected by all,” Trump said.
Congressman Don Beyer, whose district includes Arlington National Cemetery, described Trump’s arch project as “illegal, gridlock-increasing [and] narcissistic” and criticized the administration for moving ahead with it.
The representative pointed to a report from the the National Park Service – which supports the project – that found it would have adverse effects on multiple landmarks.
“This project is not even close to being ready for prime time. The Administration has not won the legal battle over the proposal, which is plainly illegal without congressional authorization,” Beyer said in a statement.
“The only study they have completed and released, from the National Park Service, confirms my admonition that the arch would be a massive, unnecessary disruption to iconic and historic sites across the region.”
Excavation work on Donald Trump’s arch in Washington DC set to begin in coming weeks, says interior secretary
Excavation work on Donald Trump’s “Great Triumphal Arch” project in Washington is set to begin in the coming weeks, interior secretary Doug Burgum said on Thursday.
The 250ft tall gilded structure will be built in between Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
“This will be one of the Great Pieces of American Architecture, honoring the history and significance of Arlington Cemetery and befitting the most powerful Capital in the World,” Burgum said.
But critics say the arch will interfere with historic sightlines and that it has not received congressional authorization. Three veterans and an architectural historian filed a lawsuit over the project.
“We believe that construction cannot and should not proceed apace, and we are prepared to inform the court that it needs to, at this juncture, needs to step in,” said Nicolas Sansone, an attorney with Public Citizen Litigation Group, who is representing the plaintiffs.
Trump administration files emergency request asking US supreme court to lift order blocking USPS from implementing mail-in voting restrictions
As a federal judge is deciding whether to extend a ban on the USPS’s new mail-in voting restrictions, Donald Trump has asked the US supreme court to step in.
The Justice Department filed an emergency request seeking to have the court lift Judge Indira Talwani’s order that temporarily blocks the postal service from implementing the plan, which includes an online portal that would track millions of mail ballots.
The new system to regulate mail ballots, which came about following an executive order by Trump, has drawn fierce criticism. A whistleblower told Congress that the requirements could result in scores of mail ballots never being sent.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency appears to be downplaying $168 million in winter storm damage across New York City, Long Island, and Mid-Hudson region.
In response to a query about New York Gov Kathy Hochul’s claim that federal authorities denied her request for disaster relief because of “political games,” FEMA said: “No new information was provided by New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island for FEMA to consider; they only repeated their requests for federal reimbursement of costs to plow snow.”
“Winter weather is not new to the Northeast and neither is snow removal,” FEMA also said in its statement to The Guardian. “Federal disaster aid is not a backstop for routine state and local budgeting.”
