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US Vice President JD Vance speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington

Do ICE agents have absolute immunity? No, experts say, but it’s not easy for a state to prosecute

By Devan Cole, CNN (CNN) — Vice President JD Vance’s claim Thursday that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis is “protected by absolute immunity” drew immediate pushback from experts who said the legal landscape around a potential prosecution is far more complicated. Speaking at the White House,

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Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Capitol Hill in Washington

Hill liberals push for shutdown clash over ICE funding but face resistance in Democratic ranks

By Manu Raju, Sarah Ferris, CNN (CNN) — Congress’ most liberal Democrats are pushing for an all-out fight to rein in President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policy after this week’s deadly shooting by an ICE officer in Minnesota — even if it means risking another government shutdown. But those progressives are running into resistance from

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Newsom contrasts California ‘blueprint’ with Trump’s ‘carnival of chaos’ in final state of state address

By Arit John, CNN (CNN) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom used his final State of the State address Thursday to frame his state as a “beacon” of democracy and innovation, seeking to draw a sharp contrast with what he called the “carnival of chaos” in Washington under President Donald Trump. “In California, we’re not silent.

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Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to reporters in the US Capitol on October 1

Handful of Republicans join Democrats to force Senate check on Trump’s war powers in Venezuela

By Morgan Rimmer, Sarah Ferris, Ted Barrett, CNN (CNN) — A small bloc of Senate Republicans has delivered a notable rebuke of President Donald Trump just days after his operation ousting Venezuela’s leader, voting to advance a resolution that would limit future US military force in the nation without Congress’ approval. Five Republicans on Thursday

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An onlooker holds a sign that reads "Shame" as members of law enforcement work the scene following a suspected shooting by an ICE agent during federal law enforcement operations on January 7 in Minneapolis.

DHS officials privately express shock at department’s immediate response to Minneapolis shooting

By Priscilla Alvarez, CNN (CNN) — Multiple Department of Homeland Security officials privately expressed shock Wednesday over the department’s immediate response to the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, seeing it as a break from precedent that generally points to an investigation before reaching a firm conclusion. Multiple current and

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Construction workers watch as work continues on a largely demolished part of the East Wing of the White House in October 2025 in Washington

Trump’s controversial ballroom could solve a decades-long problem — and is taking the first formal steps for construction

By Betsy Klein, Sunlen Serfaty, CNN (CNN) — President Donald Trump’s sprawling new East Wing ballroom project has attracted widespread controversy — but promises to solve a problem identified by first families and their social secretaries on both sides of the aisle for decades. On Thursday, construction of the planned 90,000-square-foot space will take a

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US House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer participates in a news conference with other members of the house discussing a bill to provide $28 million in emergency funds to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help it respond to a nationwide shortage of infant formula and strengthen supervision of the industry at the US Capitol in Washington

Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer announces he will retire after four decades in Congress

By Mary Kay Mallonee, Camila DeChalus, Sarah Ferris, CNN (CNN) — Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer, one of Congress’ longest serving Democrats who spent nearly two decades in his party’s leadership, will not seek reelection this November. The Maryland congressman became visibly emotional at times Thursady as he formally announced his decision during a speech from

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In one video posted online of the shooting

What’s behind the highly unusual move to block Minnesota officials from investigating ICE shooting

CNN By Hannah Rabinowitz, Evan Perez, Kristen Holmes, CNN (CNN) — Mutual distrust between federal and state authorities derailed plans for a joint FBI and state criminal investigation into Wednesday’s shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an ICE officer, leading to the highly unusual move by the Justice Department to block state investigators from participating

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US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn of the White House after arriving on Marine One in Washington

Trump threatens defense contractors with restrictions while promising sharp increase in spending

By Haley Britzky, CNN (CNN) — President Donald Trump issued a stark threat to defense contracting companies Wednesday, saying he would seek to limit stock buybacks and executive salaries unless they improve their delivery of weapons systems to the US military, hours before saying he’s decided to substantially increase the defense budget. The pair of

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Nikki Haley Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research (CNN) — Here’s a look at the life of Nikki Haley, former US ambassador to the United Nations and former Republican governor of South Carolina. Personal Birth date: January 20, 1972 Birth place: Bamberg, South Carolina Birth name: Nimrata Nikki Randhawa Father: Ajit S. Randhawa, professor and business owner Mother: Raj Kaur

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Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for special session in April to redraw Florida’s congressional districts

Associated Press Orlando (AP) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday called a special session in April for the Republican-dominated legislature to draw new congressional districts, joining the redistricting arms race. Even though Florida’s 2026 legislative session starts next week, DeSantis said he wanted to wait for a possible ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court

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Pete Buttigieg Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research (CNN) — Here’s a look at the life of Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate. Personal Birth date: January 19, 1982 Birth place: South Bend, Indiana Birth name: Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg Father: Joseph A. Buttigieg, an English professor Mother: Anne

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