President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greeted families at a White House Halloween event on Thursday night.
Trick-or-treaters in a wide range of costumes lined up outside the White House to meet the president. The president was spotted high-fiving a trick-or-treater who dressed up like him, and he greeted two young kids in a wagon with a McDonald’s drive-thru sign.
Earlier Thursday, Vice President JD Vance warned of an air travel “disaster” next month if the government shutdown continues. Vance, joined by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, noted that air traffic controllers are still going unpaid as the government shutdown reaches day 30 and travel ramps up for the holidays.
“It could be a disaster. It really could be, because at that point you’re talking about people missing three paychecks, they’ve missed four paychecks,” Vance said. “How many of them are not going to show up for work?”
Democrats and Republicans in Congress are still battling over reopening the government as critical funding deadlines for programs such as SNAP, otherwise known as food stamps, are approaching. Trump, who has returned from a trip around East Asia, said he would not speak with Democrats about policy matters, such as affordable healthcare, until they agree to reopen the government.
Key Points
- Vance accuses Democrats of ‘holding American people’s government hostage’
- Trump and Melania hand out candy in front of White House
- SNAP deadline looms leaving 40 million Americans worried about whether they can get food stamps
- Trump lowers China tariffs to 47% and calls meeting 'great success'
- Pritzker asks Trump to ‘pause’ federal operations over Halloween weekend: ‘give the children a break’
Americans are seriously hating Trump’s decision to tear down the East Wing for a mammoth ballroom, poll finds
00:21 , Erin KellerThe majority of Americans hate that President Donald Trump’s decision to tear down the White House’s East Wing to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, according to a new poll.
The joint survey by ABC News, Ipsos and The Washington Post found that just 28 percent of U.S. adults support the demolition project, while 56 percent oppose it and 16 percent are undecided.
Keep reading:
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Americans largely oppose Trump’s plan to raze East Wing for ballroom: Poll
Heritage Foundation denies distancing itself from Tucker Carlson following Nick Fuentes interview
23:49 , Justin BaragonaThe Heritage Foundation reaffirmed its admiration for Tucker Carlson, saying it wanted to “put to rest” the speculation that the right-wing think tank was “distancing itself” from the former Fox News star in the wake of conservative outrage over Carlson’s friendly interview with notorious white nationalist Nick Fuentes.
Keep reading:
Heritage Foundation denies distancing itself from Tucker following Fuentes interview
Watch: Trump puts candy on kid's costumed head at White House Halloween event - again
23:34 , Katie HawkinsonWatch: Trump and Melania hand out candy in front of White House
23:21 , Katie HawkinsonTrump places candy on top of trick-or-treater's costume — again
23:12 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump placed a piece of candy on top of a trick-or-treater’s costume — again.
The moment was reminiscent of an infamous incident from the White House’s Halloween event in 2019, when Trump placed candy on top of a child’s Minion costume.
This time, though, the child appeared to be dressed in a light-up white mask.
Companies involved in White House ballroom construction are taking their websites offline, report says
22:59 , Mike BediganSeveral companies involved in President Donald Trump’s controversial remodeling of the White House’s East Wing appear to have taken their websites offline amid heavy criticism of the project.
Some pages claim their sites are “undergoing maintenance” or are – fittingly – under construction, while others have tampered down their social and online presence.
Companies involved in Trump ballroom are taking their websites offline, report
See it: Trump greets trick-or-treaters with McDonald's sign
22:48 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump greeted two trick-or-treaters who arrived in a wagon with a McDonald’s drive-thru sign.
Trump famously operated a McDonald’s fryer for a campaign photo-op last year.
Trump signs Time Magazine covers for trick-or-treater
22:44 , Katie HawkinsonOne trick-or-treater brought President Donald Trump a copy of Time Magazine’s 2024 Person of the Year issue, which he then signed.
Trump was featured on the magazine’s cover after winning the title in December.
Another trick-or-treater had him sign a different issue of Time Magazine, which featured a photo of him raising his fist after he was shot in the ear at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year.
Trick-or-treaters dress up as Trump
22:35 , Katie HawkinsonSome White House Halloween trick-or-treaters have dressed up as President Donald Trump himself.
The president high-fived one of the trick-or-treaters, who was wearing his signature red hat and suit.
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What costumes have been spotted at the White House Halloween event?
22:25 , Katie HawkinsonKids and families lined up at the White House today to trick-or-treat with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.
Popular costumes have included dinosaurs, ballerinas and pumpkins. One trick-or-treater dressed as a McDonald’s french fry box, while another family brought their two small kids in a wagon with a McDonald’s drive-thru sign.
In pictures: Top White House officials attend Halloween event
22:09 , Katie Hawkinson
President and first lady hand out candy to trick-or-treaters
21:59 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are now handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.
Instrumental versions of various songs are playing, including “Thriller” and “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
President Donald Trump arrives with first lady
21:52 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump has arrived at the White House Halloween event with first lady Melania Trump.
White House plays Halloween-themed tunes ahead of event
21:46 , Katie HawkinsonAs spectators wait for the Halloween event to begin, instrumentalists are playing some spooky tunes on the steps of the White House — including the Jaws theme song and the Psycho violin screech.
In pictures: White House decorated for Halloween
21:39 , Katie HawkinsonThe White House is covered in fall-themed decorations as President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump host a Halloween event at the White House.
Watch Live: White House hosts Halloween celebration
21:30 , Katie HawkinsonPresident Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump are hosting a Halloween event at the White House.
Watch live from The Independent:
Trump administration officials warn of air travel 'disaster'
21:22 , Katie HawkinsonVice President JD Vance has warned of an air travel “disaster” if the government shutdown continues into next month.
“It could be a disaster. It really could be, because at that point you’re talking about people have missed three paychecks, they’ve missed four paychecks,” Vance said. “How many of them are not going to show up for work?”
Vance said there will be “massive delays” as employees continue to miss paychecks.
“That’s going to lead to massive delays. We want people to be able to get home for Thanksgiving,” he added. “We want people to be able to travel for business.”
MTG rocks MAGA with announcement she is going on ‘The View’
21:00 , Eric GarciaResident MAGA rogue Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene offered another surprise in her escalating war with House Republican leadership as she announced on Thursday that she would appear on The View next week.
Co-host Whoopi Goldberg announced that Greene would join the ABC daytime talk show on Tuesday, Election Day in several states, which led to applause. This comes as Greene has increasingly opposed the Republican approach to ending the government shutdown, which is approaching the one-month mark.
“I don’t know how many things we agree on,” Goldberg said. “But I know the one thing she and I and all of us at this table agree on is this should not be affecting the American people.”
What Trump’s nuclear weapons tests could mean for America and the world
20:30 , Alex WoodwardDonald Trump has repeatedly called the proliferation of nuclear weapons “the n-word,” his way of warning that speaking “nuclear” into existence puts the world on the path of mutually assured destruction.
But 10 months into his second administration, the president is commanding officials to resume nuclear weapons testing, which would end the U.S.’s 33-year moratorium and invite a global arms race in a volatile political moment.
Claiming that the United States must reach parity with weapons development in China and Russia, Trump ordered the Pentagon on October 30 to “start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,” a process that will begin “immediately,” he said.
Read more from Alex Woodward:
What Trump’s nuclear weapons tests could mean for America and the world
California senators ask Justice Department to rescind election monitors
20:00 , Ariana BaioDemocratic Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are asking the Justice Department to call off Trump’s election monitors ahead of election day, November 4.
In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the senators say Trump’s deployment of his election monitors “runs the very real risk of intimidating voters and turning the Department into a tool of partisan and frivolous election-related challenges.”
They say Trump’s motives are “partisan” and intend to “undermine the credibility” of the Justice Department.
Pressed with questions about SNAP funding, Vance diverts answer
19:45 , Ariana BaioWhen asked why the administration moved money to pay troops, but not SNAP payments, Vice President JD Vance asserted Trump was doing everything to make the shutdown “as painless as possible.”
Vance did not answer the reporter’s question directly, instead calling on Democrats to vote with Republicans on a temporary funding bill to reopen the government so the administration doesn’t have to find funding in other places.
The vice president said suffering as a result of the shutdown would get “a lot worse,” yet asserted that Trump was doing everything he could to make the shutdown as painless as possible.
37,000 Veterans Affairs employees furloughed
19:30 , Ariana BaioThe Department of Veterans Affairs has furloughed roughly 37,000 employees amid the government shutdown, the agency said Thursday.
In an official press release, which attributed the furloughs to “Democrats' decision to shutdown the federal government,” the department said 900,000 veterans were “unable to get assistance from the GI Bill Hotline” and 100,000 cannot enroll in the Veteran Readiness and Employment program as a result.
“It’s time for Democrats to stop using the suffering of Americans as political leverage to give free health care to illegal immigrants,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins said in a statement that misrepresented what Democrats are seeking.
Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for full Medicaid coverage. Democrats are seeking to restore “lawfully present” immigrants' healthcare benefits – these are individuals who are lawfully in the United States but do not have legal status that is enforceable in court, such as DACA recipients.
“I call on them to open the government and enable VA to provide the complete and comprehensive services America’s Veterans, families, caregivers and survivors have earned,” Collins added.
Transportation Secretary says ‘go ask Democrats’ when questioned about SNAP benefits
19:00 , Ariana BaioUsing a common Trump administration maneuver, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shifted blame to Democrats when confronted with questions about how the government plans to ensure SNAP beneficiaries receive their payments beginning November 1.
“Go ask the Democrats that question. Say, ‘What are you going to do to make sure people get SNAP benefits this Saturday?’” Duffy said.
“Because we’re doing everything we can on our end,” he asserted.
The Trump administration says it will not dip into emergency funds to ensure SNAP benefits get out after funding runs out on November 1, claiming they do not have the legal standing to do so.
But Democrats are accusing the administration of purposefully withholding funding from SNAP by refusing to tap into an emergency reserve of billions – a mechanism the Department of Agriculture said existed in earlier guidance and had prepared to do for past government shutdowns..
Schumer taunts Trump's China deal as 'BS'
18:45 , Ariana BaioSenate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer taunted President Donald Trump over his deal with China, calling it “B.S.”
“Don’t believe his B.S. Trump folded on China,” Schumer wrote.
Earlier in the day, Schumer provoked Trump by insulting his visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, leading the president to angrily post on Truth Social.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 30, 2025
Vance accuses Democrats of ‘holding American people’s government hostage’
18:40 , Ariana BaioVance asserted Democrats were holding the government “hostage” by refusing to vote for the Republicans’ continuing resolution bill that would keep the government temporarily funded.
Mirroring language from Trump, Vance claimed Republicans would talk about policy but not while the government was shutdown.
“To any Democrat in the United States Senate, we are happy to talk about any policy issue, we’re happy to talk about healthcare policy, we’re happy to talk about tax policy, we’re happy to talk about regulatory policy but not at the point of a gun,” Vance said.
“You do not get to take the American people’s government hostage and then demand you be given everything you want in order to pay our air traffic controllers.”
Vance discusses aviation industry amid shutdown
18:35 , Kelly RissmanVice President JD Vance said he “worries” about the workers of the TSA staff, air traffic controllers, pilots and others working in the aviation industry.
As much as delays have gotten worse over the last couple weeks, he also worried about “stresses of the aviation industry” in light of the shutdown, Vance said, noting workers aren’t getting paid.
The shutdown has dragged on for 30 days.
“This is something that every single American should be able to agree on: open the government,” he said at a press conference Thursday. “It’s causing way too many problems.”
Federal agencies are backing plans to ban top-selling home internet router because of national security fears: report
18:20 , Ariana BaioTop federal agencies are reportedly hoping to ban future sales from one of the most popular home internet router brands in the U.S., citing China-related national security concerns.
Josh Marcus reports:
Federal agencies back plan to ban top-selling router because of China fears: report
Top Trump officials Miller, Noem and Rubio adopt bunker mentality with housing reserved for military officers: report
17:50 , John BowdenTop members of Donald Trump’s White House are reportedly living in homes typically reserved for top military brass in Washington, D.C., as they pull back from neighborhoods where their presences were often targeted for protests by the many Democrats who make the capital region their homes.
Stephen Miller and Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently joined a growing list of cabinet secretaries and advisers who’ve chosen to live in reserved military housing, with Rubio moving onto “Generals Row” in Fort McNair and Miller also living in the area after abandoning his digs in Arlington, The Atlantic reported.
They join Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who moved into military housing earlier this year, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is alone among his compatriots in finding some precedent for his decision to move onto Generals Row alongside Rubio.
Noem denies Prtizker’s request to ‘pause’ Operation Midway Blitz
17:25 , Ariana BaioWhen asked about pausing the operations, Noem said the department was “absolutely not willing” to pause any enforcement, claiming it was keeping cities and children safer.
“The fact that Governor Pritzker is asking for that is shameful and I think unfortunate that he does not recognize how important the work that we do is,” Noem said.
Administration limits number of refugees to mostly white South Africans
17:00 , Ariana Baio, Alex WoodwardThe Trump administration is following through with its plans to restrict the number of refugees admitted into the United States to roughly 7,500 – most of whom will be white South Africans.
The news, published in the Federal Register Thursday, was anticipated.
The plan was reportedly presented to the White House by officials from the State Department and Homeland Security would give preference to English speakers and Europeans, proposals that refugee groups and advocates say undermine the nation’s moral and legal fabric.
JD Vance slammed for saying he hopes his Hindu wife Usha will ‘join Christianity’ at Charlie Kirk event
16:30 , Andrew FeinbergVice President JD Vance is facing sharp criticism after he told a group of college students in Mississippi that he hopes his Hindu wife, second lady Usha Vance, will give up her own faith and become a Christian.
“I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel, and I hope eventually, my wife comes to see it the same way,” he said.
Read more here:
JD Vance slammed for saying he hopes his Hindu wife will ‘join Christianity’
Pritzker asks Trump to ‘pause’ federal operations over Halloween weekend: ‘give the children a break’
16:00 , Ariana BaioIllinois Governor JB Pritzker appealed to senior members of the Trump administration who are overseeing federal immigration operations in Chicago, asking them to “pause” for Halloween weekend to allow children to safely trick-or-treat.
“The Department of Homeland Security claims their highest priority is to protect children, so today I have to ask them, please live up to those ideals,” Pritzker said in a press conference Thursday morning.
“They’ve disrupted everything for more than two months already. Give the children and the families of Illinois a break.”
Pritzker, who has been pushing back against the administration as they send federal agents from various agencies and seek to send members of the National Guard into Chicago.
“Can we agree there is no imminent threat that should disrupt their holiday?” Pritzker said. “No child in America should have to go trick-or-treating in fear that they might be confronted by armed federal agents and have to inhale tear gas.”
“I honestly can’t even believe that I have to make this plea. This is not the America I know.”
Johnson continues to back White House claims about SNAP funding
15:30 , Ariana BaioSpeaker of the House Mike Johnson continued to support the Trump administration’s claims that there is no funding for SNAP, otherwise known as food stamps.
“When it comes to SNAP, some of the Democrats have argued that you can use this contingency fund, but the truth is, there’s no legal mechanism to do it,” Johnson told reporters.
That claim is a reversal from the first Trump administration, as well as recent contingency guidance from the US Department of Agriculture that said it could tap into leftover emergency funds, maintained in a $5 billion reserve, for necessary situations.
Lawmakers have said the administration has always been able to tap into those funds - though Johnson and others say they, legally, cannot.
When asked why Trump was not using the same strategy to tap into SNAP funds as he did in the first term, Johnson asserted the administration is doing “exactly what it did in the first term.”
In 2018, the Department of Agriculture said it would use a provision to allow it to make payments within 30 days of a government funding lapse.
Without funding for SNAP, millions of beneficiaries who rely on the program could be at risk of going hungry.
Watch: Trump teases invoking Insurrection Act to deploy troops
15:00 , Ariana BaioTrump says his meeting with Xi was 'a 12'
14:20 , Ariana BaioWhile speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump hailed his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as “a 12.”
“On a scale from zero to 10, with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12.”
President Trump on meeting with Chinese President Xi: "On a scale from zero to 10, with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12." pic.twitter.com/TQ5sHBTZi2
— CSPAN (@cspan) October 30, 2025
Chief of naval research replaced with 33-year-old former DOGE worker
14:00 , Ariana BaioThe Trump administration recently removed a decorated admiral from his post as head of naval research in the Office of Naval Research and replaced him with a 33-year-old former DOGE employee, according to the Bulwark.
Rear Admiral Kurt Rothenhaus, who has served as chief of naval research since June 2023, was reassigned to an unknown position. Rachel Riley, a former partner at McKinsey & Co., who also worked on DOGE-related matters in the Department of Health and Human Services, is in charge.
“Dr. Rachel Riley is serving as the Chief of Naval Research,” a Navy spokesperson told USNI News.
“She brings deep acquisition, technology, and organizational expertise to the job, and we are pleased to welcome her to the team. We thank Rear Adm. Rothenhaus for his service as he is enroute to his next assignment. We do not have additional information to share at this time.”
Controversial surgeon general nominee will face Congress at a later date
13:45 , Ariana BaioDr. Casey Means, a physician-turned-wellness-influencer, will no longer appear before senators on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Thursday morning because she went into labor, a spokesperson for the committee told NBC News.
Means, a vaccine skeptic, is widely considered a controversial pick to be the U.S.’s top doctor. She was likely to face tough questions from senators who are apprehensive about her role.
Where is the president today?
13:20 , Ariana BaioPresident Donald Trump is expected to return to Washington, D.C., Thursday afternoon from his trip around Asia.
Early Thursday morning, Trump briefly spoke with reporters aboard Air Force One, where he praised Chinese President Xi Jinping and the deal the two struck to lower tariffs, expand access to rare earth minerals, and promote soybean sales from American farmers.
The president also touched on his recent Truth Social post claiming the U.S. would begin testing nuclear weapons again, claiming the decision had “nothing to do” with China.
“It had to do with others,” Trump said.
“I say well, if they’re going to test, I guess we have to test.”
Once returning to the White House, the president will join First Lady Melania Trump in celebrating Halloween – an annual tradition for the president and first lady.
Bessent says China will purchase 12 million metric tons of soybeans
13:02 , Ariana BaioTreasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed more details about the U.S.-China soybean deal, saying China has agreed to purchase 10 million metric tons of soybeans from American farmers
“The Chinese have agreed to buy 12 million metric tons of soybeans during this season, right now, between now and it should be January,” Bessent told Fox Business Thursday morning.
Bessent said the deal also includes provisions for the next three years in which China will purchase a “minimum” of 25 million metric tons per annum.
He added that American soybean farmers will no longer be used as “political pawns” by the Chinese.
“We’ve also signed trade deals with countries in Southeast Asia, the rest of the world, to buy our soybeans for the tune of another 19 million metric tons,” Bessent said.
Trump-Xi summit might have ended with fragile tariffs truce but major questions remain
12:43 , Shweta SharmaWhile businesses and markets welcomed the relief in trade tensions, analysts say it is not a structural reset but rather a tactical truce, even as root causes of the tensions remain
Read more here:
Trump-Xi summit might have ended with tariffs truce but major questions remain
'Tensions could easily flare up again' between China and the US, business expert says
12:05 , Owen Scott
Julian Evans-Pritchard, head of China economics at Capital Economics, says that it is too early to assume that tensions between the United States and China have been resolved.
He told the BBC that information about the two countries’ new trade agreement is “patchy.”
"The underlying forces driving the US and China apart remain unresolved, however, and so tensions could easily flare up again,” he warned. “And even if the current truce holds, both sides will continue to pursue wider decoupling efforts."
"Another Phase One-style deal wouldn’t alter the underlying geopolitical forces that are causing the world economy to fracture into two competing blocs centred on China and the US," he added.
Kremlin issues chilling threat over Trump's plans to renew US nuclear tests
12:01 , Owen Scott
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says “Russia will act accordingly,” if the U.S. resumes testing of its nuclear arsenal.
Speaking to reporters, Peskov took a swipe at Trump’s claims that the nuclear weapons programs were running around the world.
“President Trump mentioned in his statement that other countries are engaged in testing nuclear weapons,” Peskov said, according to Reuters. “Until now, we didn’t know that anyone was testing.”
When asked if Trump had triggered a fresh nuclear arms race, Peskov simply said: “Not really.”
The U.S. last tested a nuclear weapon in 1992, while Russia has not tested a nuclear bomb since 1990, just before the collapse of the Soviet Union. China tested its last bomb in 1996.
Pictured: Trump's meeting with Xi Jinping
12:00 , Owen Scott
US Treasury Secretary says the United States' trade deal with China could be signed next week
11:55 , Owen Scott
Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, says the United States could sign its trade deal with China as soon as next week.
“The Kuala Lumpur agreement was finished in the middle of the night last night, so I expect we will exchange signatures possibly as soon as next week,” he said on Fox Business Network.
He also said that Entity List restrictions, which make it harder for Chinese companies to use affiliates to buy off-limits technology, will be lifted for a year.
Watch: Brave women trounce JD Vance in public debate
11:45 , Owen ScottTrump shares a Truth Social user's post claiming that the president has ended eight wars
11:30 , Owen ScottDonald Trump has shared - or ReTruthed, as it is referred to on Truth Social - a post made by a supporter, which claims that the president has ended eight wars during his time in office.
The post claims that Trump ended wars between the following countries: Thailand and Cambodia, Kosovo and Serbia, DRC and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, Armenia and Azerbaijan and Israel and Hamas.
However, Trump has long been criticized for being inconsistent about how many conflicts he has ended.
The president suggested that he ended a war between Armenia-Albania. He meant to say Azerbaijan - which he later mispronounced as “Aber-baijan” - instead of Albania.
Also, Serbia and Kosovo, as well as Egypt and Ethiopia, have not been at war for some time depsite Trump’s claims.
The Director of the Arms Control Association tears into Trump's nuclear plans
11:15 , Owen ScottDaryl Kimball, the director of the Arms Control Association, has blasted the president for his plans to increase U.S. nuclear testing.
He has claimed that it would take the United States at least 36 months to resume underground nuclear tests at a former testing facility in Nevada.
“Trump is misinformed and out of touch,” Kimball wrote on X. “The US has no technical, military, or political reason to resume nuclear explosive testing for the first time since 1992.”
Watch: US bombs another boat which it claims was carrying drugs to the United States
11:00 , Owen ScottChina says it will 'properly address' the question TikTok's US app being sold to a US buyer
10:30 , Owen Scott
China's commerce ministry has confirmed that it is still considering the sale of the US version of TikTok to a buyer in the United States.
"The US side made positive commitments in areas such as investment, and the Chinese side will properly address issues related to TikTok," it said in a statement.
Trump says that he would be signing a trade deal with China "pretty soon," but has yet to confirm any details about the TikTok’s sale.
Russian politician demands clarity over new US missile tests
10:00 , Owen Scott
Andrei Kartapolov, a member of Russia’s State Duma, says that Trump’s plans to renew U.S. nuclear testing could create an era of instability.
"We need to understand what kind of test we're talking about, because there's an agreement not to conduct tests by detonating nuclear charges, whether underground, or especially atmospheric, underwater, surface, or otherwise," Kartapolov told Russian state news agency RIA.
The FBI says that it has a 'strong objection' to Tulsi Gabbard's push to lead counterintelligence
09:30 , Owen Scott
The FBI says that it “vigorously disagrees with” a House bill which would give Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, greater control in counterintelligence efforts.
The bill proposed transforming the Office of the Director of National Intelligence into the lead counterintelligence agency for the federal government.
A letter obtained by The New York Times detailed the FBI’s opposition to the move, with a representative from the agency saying that they have a “strong objection” to the Bill.
Gabbard has reportedly written a letter which she hopes will be sent to lawmakers, which allegedly claims that the entire intelligence community supports the bill.
Both Gabbard and the FBI have not commented on the alleged spat, except for a joint statement which says they are “united in working with Congress to strengthen our nation’s counterintelligence efforts.”
The Intelligence Authorization Act, which would grant Gabbard increased power in intelligence gathering, is still being debated.
However, Gabbard’s involvement in intelligence affairs has become very controversial after one of her allies, Joe Kent, who leads the National Counterterrorism Center, accessed the FBI’s files about the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Watch: US Ambassador Mike Waltz cut off during UN Speech as he is told 'this isn't a Signal chat'
09:15 , Owen ScottRecap: What did China and the U.S. agree on trade?
09:00 , Owen ScottChina and the United States have signed a trade deal, after months of being locked in a bitter dispute over tariffs, fentanyl and rare earth minerals. But what have they actually agreed?
A “framework” has been approved for trade deals, including the sale of TikTok’s U.S. operations to an American buyer.
The U.S. will suspend its Section 301 (harmful trade practice) investigations into China’s logistics, maritime and shipbuilding industries. China will suspend its related countermeasures.
The U.S. will drop its 10 percent tariffs on goods used in the production of fentanyl and will extend its suspension of the 24 per cent “reciprocal tariffs” for another year. China says it will “adjust its countermeasures against the aforementioned US tariffs accordingly.”
Trump says that he has given South Korea the green light to build a nuclear-powered submarine
08:55 , Owen Scott
Trump said yesterday that he has given South Korea the green light to build a nuclear-powered submarine.
According to a post on Truth Social, the naval vessel will be built in the “Philadelphia Shipyards, right here in the good ol’ U.S.A.”
He said the submarine will be superior to South Korea’s “old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered Submarines that they have now.”
“Shipbuilding in our Country will soon be making a BIG COMEBACK,” he added.
Trump claims that China is will buy oil and gas from Alaska
08:42 , Owen Scott
Trump has claimed that China could soon begin buying “American Energy” in an ambiguous Truth Social post.
The president suggested that an “Energy Deal” could be worked out and could lead to a “very large scale transition.”
“China also agreed that they will begin the process of purchasing American Energy,” he wrote. “In fact, a very large scale transaction may take place concerning the purchase of Oil and Gas from the Great State of Alaska.
“Chris Wright, Doug Burgum, and our respective Energy teams will be meeting to see if such an Energy Deal can be worked out.”
SNAP deadline looms leaving 40 million Americans worried about whether they can get food stamps
08:32 , Owen ScottThe deadline for Congress to agree on a spending plan for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is on Saturday.
If lawmakers fail to agree on a payment program, 40 million Americans could lose access to their food stamps.
"I can't afford food, with the prices of rent and the food itself, so it helps me get by — still not enough," a veteran named Mark, told NBC10 Boston.
The government shutdown has dragged on for 30 days, making it the second longest closure in modern U.S. history. The longest shutdown on record unfolded during Trump’s first term and lasted for 35 days.
Former Trump ally says the president 'doesn't give a s***' about the government shutdown
08:28 , Owen ScottMiles Taylor, former deputy Chief of Staff at the Department of Homeland and Security during the first Trump administration, has torn into his former boss for not caring about the current government shutdown.
Taylor blasted the GOP leader on X, as he recalled the damage of the 2018-2019 shutdown.
“I was part of the internal Trump administration team trying to convince the president to end the shutdown in 2018 - 2019 — for 35 days — before people went hungry, workers lost pay, and government services collapsed,” Taylor wrote. “Here’s what I learned: he doesn’t give a shit.”
Trump says that Chuck Schumer's comments about the president's Asia tour are 'almost treasonous'
08:16 , Owen Scott
Trump took to Truth Social to hit out at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping ended.
“Worked really hard, 24/7, took in Trillions of Dollars, and Chuck Schumer said trip was “a total dud,” even though he knows it was a spectacular success,” Trump raged. “Words like that are almost treasonous!!!”
Schumer had slammed the president for his “M.O. in foreign policy.” He said that Trump “creates a giant mess,” and “wants everyone to praise him when he tries to clean it up.”
Schumer went on to say that the tariffs had actually made the U.S. “worse off.”
“It’s the same story with his so-called “deal” with South Korea,” he said. “We are actually worse off because tariffs on Korean imports went from 2% now to 15%. But Donald Trump created a mess and now wants credit for pretending like he fixed it.
“On China, Donald Trump’s trade negotiations with China have been a failure. His actions have decimated soybean farmers. He has hurt small businesses.
“And has any of this revived American manufacturing? No!”
Prominent Democrat says she will be filing legislation against Trump's nuclear weapons test
08:05 , Owen ScottDiana Titus, a Nevada Democratic Representative, said that she will be opposing Trump’s plans for new missile tests by the U.S.
“Absolutely not,” she wrote on X. “I’ll be introducing legislation to put a stop to this.”
Trump has claimed that the U.S. has more nuclear missiles than ever other nation,
In truth, Russia has the most missiles with 5,500 nuclear warheads. Meanwhile, the US has 5,044 nuclear weapons, according to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.
China hopes US will abide by obligations under nuclear test ban treaty
07:47 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarChina hopes the U.S. will abide by its commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing and obligations under a test ban treaty, the foreign ministry said.
President Donald Trump has instructed the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing "immediately".
Trump made the announcement via Truth Social on Wednesday night, just before his highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
“The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country,” Trump wrote.
“This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.”
Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One
07:46 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Beijing confirms Trump will visit China next year
07:29 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump will visit China next year, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed this morning.
Trump said earlier that he would visit China in April and that Xi Jinping was likely to visit the U.S "sometime after that".
China, U.S. should avoid 'vicious cycle' of retaliation, Xi says
07:02 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarChina and the U.S. should not fall into a "vicious cycle of retaliation" against each other, official news agency Xinhua cited president Xi Jinping as saying during his meeting with U.S. president Donald Trump.
Relations between China and the United States have maintained overall stability, and trade ties should be their ballast stone, Xi said, it added.
In his talks with Trump in South Korea, Xi urged both sides to keep their eyes on the long-term interests of cooperation.
China's Xi says both sides reached consensus on 'major trade issues'
06:42 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Xi Jinping said the US and China reached a consensus to resolve "major trade issues", according to a readout published by the Chinese media.
Teams from both nations will work on delivering outcomes that will serve as a "reassuring pill" for both countries' economies, he said.
Xi called on economic and trade teams of both nations to constantly narrow down list of problems and extend their cooperation.
"China and the United States can jointly demonstrate the responsibility befitting of major powers, working together to accomplish more significant, practical and beneficial undertakings for both nations and for the world," Xi said.
Taiwan didn't feature in Trump-Xi talks
06:09 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump said Taiwan, which China claims to be part of its territory, never came up in talks with Xi Jinping.
Some analysts had expected Xi to push Trump to adhere to Beijing's “one-China” policy and denounce ties with the self-governed island of Taiwan.
The US, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but is bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself, and the issue is a frequent irritant in Sino-US relations.
Trump calls meeting with Xi a 'great success'
05:54 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Trump orders Pentagon to ‘immediately’ start testing nuclear weapons
05:50 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump has instructed his Defense Department to resume nuclear weapons testing “immediately.”
Trump made the announcement via Truth Social on Wednesday night, just before his highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.
“The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country,” Trump wrote.
“This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.”
Trump says he had a 'nice conversation' with Canada's Carney
05:48 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump said he had a "very nice" conversation with Canadian prime minister Mark Carney when the two attended a dinner in South Korea amid a heated trade spat between the two neighbours.
Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, did not elaborate on the conversation. Before landing in South Korea he had posted on social media that he was not coming to see Canada.
Trump couldn't meet Kim Jong Un because he was 'so busy'
05:22 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump said he was unable to meet North Korea's Kim Jong Un during a visit to South Korea due to time constraints, but is willing to return to the region for a meeting.
"I would come back to talk with Kim," Trump told reporters.
The US president had expressed his willingness to hold talks with the North Korean leader during his whirlwind five-day-long Asia tour.
Trump lowers China tariffs to 47% and calls meeting 'great success'
05:21 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump says he has reduced the current tariff rate on Chinese imports to 47 per cent from the previous 57 per cent.
“It was 57 (per cent) now it’s 47 (per cent) because we reduced it by... the fentanyl... I believe they are really taking very strong action, we’ve already seen the action on fentanyl,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.
Trump added that the meeting was "a great success" and "a great honour".
Trump to visit China in April
05:10 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump says he will visit China in April following today's "amazing" meeting with Xi Jinping.
On a scale of one to 10, Trump rated the meeting a 12.
He told reporters that Xi will be visiting the US "sometime after that".
Trump says he will work with Xi on Ukraine
05:07 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump said he has agreed to work with China's Xi Jinping to bring Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
"Ukraine... we're both going to work together...we agree that the sides are locked in fighting and sometimes you gotta let them fight I guess," he told reporters.
"But we're going to work together on Ukraine."
China is Russia's strongest ally and has been accused by the U.S. in the past of aiding Putin's war machine through oil purchases and providing technology – a claim denied by Beijing.
Trump cuts fentanyl tariffs to 10% as China buys more soybeans
05:05 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump says he has reduced tariffs on the flow of chemical ingredients for fentanyl to 10 per cent from the previous 20 per cent with immediate effect.
Trump said China will also resume the purchase of soybeans from the U.S. Soybeans are America's largest agricultural export to China.
China promised to start buying large quantities of soybeans, "which I appreciated", Trump said.
Donald Trump says he had an 'amazing meeting' with China's Xi
04:58 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkaronald Trump told reporters on board Air Force One that he's had an amazing meeting with China's Xi Jinping, which lasted about an hour and 40 minutes.
"It was an amazing meeting. He is a great leader," Trump said.
"We have come to a conclusion on many important points and we will be handing them to you in a little while," he added.
Trump says all rare earth issues have been settled
04:54 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarDonald Trump is addressing the media on board Air Force One after concluding his meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping in South Korea.
Trump said "all rare earth issues have been settled" with China.
"There's no roadblock from China anymore," he added.
China had ordered restrictions on its exports of rare earths – the minerals crucial for everything from smartphones to fighter jets – in response to US tariffs.
China produces almost 70 per cent and processes nearly 90 per cent of the world’s rare earth elements.Trump said US tariffs would be dramatically reduced on Chinese exports as a result of the talks.
Xi says ready to work with Trump to strengthen U.S.-China relations
04:29 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Xi added that China’s development and revitalisation goes hand in hand with President Trump’s vision to “Make America Great Again.”
Our two countries are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together, the Chinese leader added.
"China and the U.S should be partners and friends. That is what history has taught us and what reality needs. I am ready to continue working with you to build a solid foundation for China-U.S. relations and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries."
Xi says Trump 'very enthusiastic' about settling regional issues
04:28 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Xi Jinping this morning said "China and the U.S. can jointly shoulder responsibility as major countries and work together to accomplish more great, concrete and good things."
The Chinese president noted that Trump was "very enthusiastic" about settling various regional hotspot issues, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.
China has also been promoting peace talks to resolve various hotspot issues, President Xi added.
Xi says US-China relations stable under their leadership
04:19 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarChinese president Xi Jinping, during his meeting with Donald Trump, said that both nations should ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations.
During their meeting in South Korea, Mr Xi said that since Trump's reelection, they have spoken on the phone three times and exchanged several letters.
The Chinese leader said under their joint guidance, relations between the two largest economies have remained stable.
"You and I are at the helm of China-U.S. relations," said Xi. "In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations."
Trump departs South Korea after holding talks with Xi
04:10 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarTrump and Xi shake hands as they leave after their talks
04:07 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
