Senate GOP Eyes ‘Nuclear Option’ to Ram Through Trump’s Stalled Nominees

Senate Republicans are poised to return to Washington facing mounting frustration over dozens of President Trump's unconfirmed appointees. Top GOP leaders, including John Barrasso and Markwayne Mullin, plan to pursue drastic rule changes—potentially invoking the so-called "nuclear option"—to limit debate time, scrap cloture votes or bundle nominations and break Democratic obstruction.

House Republicans are racing to draft a broad crime bill at President Trump's behest, zeroing in on cashless bail, juvenile crime and restrictive policing policies in Washington, D.C. Lawmakers will hold hearings and markups this month—and even consider extending Trump's emergency control over the D.C. police—though the measure faces a looming Senate filibuster.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is set to wrest control of Washington's historic Union Station from Amtrak this fall, promising a sweeping modernization push. At the same time, Deputy Transportation Secretary Steve Bradbury hinted at a federal takeover of Boston's South Station as next-gen Acela trains make their debut—raising questions about local authority and station upkeep.

President Trump has ordered U.S. flags to half-staff until sunset on Aug. 31 after a gunman opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, killing two children and injuring 17. As investigators probe a manifesto and hate-filled messages on rifle magazines, advocates from the Parkland community to the White House are pressing for stricter gun laws and behavioral threat assessments.

Washington, D.C.—The troop deployment President Trump ordered to combat crime in the capital is carrying a million-dollar daily price tag—and some of those soldiers are now donning reflective vests and yellow gloves to pick up trash. As more than 2,200 National Guard members spread mulch and replant grass around Lafayette Park, the Pentagon has declined to confirm cost estimates, saying final figures won't be known until the mission ends.