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Today's Political News Compilation - Monday, February 23, 2026

Feb 23
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Below are some of the top political news stories of the day:


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Judge Cannon blocks release of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on Trump classified documents case​

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER
Updated 2:45 PM CST, February 23, 2026

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge on Monday permanently barred the release of a report by special counsel Jack Smith on his investigation into President Donald Trump’s hoarding of classified documents, a prosecution that was once seen as the most perilous of the four criminal cases the Republican faced.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who was nominated to the bench by Trump, granted a request from the president to keep under wraps the report on an investigation alleging that Trump stored sensitive documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate after he left the White House following his first term and that he obstructed government efforts to get them back.

Smith and his team produced a two-volume report on the classified documents investigation and a separate probe into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Both investigations produced indictments that were abandoned by Smith’s team after Trump’s November 2024 election win in light of longstanding Justice Department legal opinions that say sitting presidents cannot face federal prosecution.

Attorney General Pam Bondi had already determined that the report was “an internal deliberative communication that is privileged and confidential and should not be released” outside the Justice Department, according to court papers. The Trump administration has characterized Smith’s investigation as politically motivated and said in recent court papers that the report belongs in the “dustbin of history.” ...

READ THE FULL STORY - AP
apnews.com

Trump's big speech will be delivered to a changed nation and a Congress he has sidelined

President Donald Trump is heading to Capitol Hill this week to deliver the State of the Union address. Trump will speak Tuesday before a transformed nation.
apnews.com apnews.com
www.cbsnews.com

Trump growing frustrated with limits of Iran military options, sources say

Military planners are advising President Trump that any strike on Tehran's assets would almost certainly not be a singular, decisive blow.
www.cbsnews.com www.cbsnews.com
abcnews.com

Motive probed in fatal Mar-a-Lago shooting of armed man as Trump speaks out

Investigators are trying to figure out a motive for why an armed 21-year-old man breached the perimeter of President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort.
abcnews.com abcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com

Trump's 'hammer': Stephen Miller's power extends far beyond immigration

Miller is one of President Donald Trump's longest-serving aides, and his many roles include executing Trump's agenda on "woke" universities and beautifying Washington.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
apnews.com

Citizen journalists, citizen sleuths helping to unravel the tangle of Epstein documents

Professional journalists sifting through the trove of documents released in the Epstein files have some help — a cadre of citizen journalists or sleuths who have become obsessed with the material.
apnews.com apnews.com
www.usatoday.com

Democrats say they'll ensure Trump's new 15% tariffs are temporary

President Donald Trump is trying to use a different law to impose new 15% global tariffs. But Democrats say they'll ensure the taxes are temporary.
www.usatoday.com
www.cbsnews.com

Trump's Section 122 tariffs could spur new legal battle, experts say

President Trump's novel use of a 1974 trade law to impose a global 15% tariff could be ripe for legal challenges, according to trade experts.
www.cbsnews.com www.cbsnews.com
abcnews.com

Masked suspect in Nancy Guthrie abduction appeared to visit her house before kidnapping: Sources

The masked man who is suspected of the abduction of Nancy Guthrie appeared at her front door earlier than Feb. 1, sources told ABC News.
abcnews.com abcnews.com
www.nbcnews.com

House Democrats bringing Jeffrey Epstein survivors to Trump's State of the Union speech

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he was bringing Haley Robson as a way of "bringing accountability to the Epstein class."
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
www.bbc.com

El Mencho: Mexico sends thousands of soldiers to stop violence after drug lord's death

A wave of violence has erupted across Mexico since a powerful drug cartel boss died following his capture by special forces.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
www.cbsnews.com

As conservatives accuse Newsom of bigotry, California governor's office slams "MAGA-manufactured outrage"

Newsom's remarks about his 960 SAT score went viral as he told Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and a packed auditorium: "I'm not trying to impress you, I'm just trying to impress upon you I'm like you, I'm not better than you."
www.cbsnews.com www.cbsnews.com
www.nbcnews.com

Jeanine Pirro's office shelves pursuit of Democrats over social video, sources say

A federal grand jury in D.C. unanimously rejected the attempt to indict six lawmakers who told military and intelligence community members on social media not to obey unlawful orders.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
abcnews.com

Peter Mandelson arrested amid Epstein files fallout as emails suggest he shared sensitive information

Former U.K. ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson was arrested Monday amid mounting criticism of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
abcnews.com abcnews.com
www.usatoday.com

Christian leaders denounce Trump actions, warn of 'crisis of faith'

Their statement says Christians have a moral obligation to condemn the demonization of immigrants and attacks on civil rights and diversity.
www.usatoday.com
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Latest Political News Feed

Full interview: House Speaker Mike Johnson

  • News source: Politics - CBSNews.com
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 1
House Speaker Mike Johnson discusses what to expect from President Trump's State of the Union address, and weighs in on the administration's trade policy, immigration crackdown, U.S. tensions with Iran and more in an interview with "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil.
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Rubio, Ratcliffe to deliver classified Iran briefing to Gang of Eight ahead of Trump's State of the Union

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 1
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Erika Kirk to be Trump's guest at State of the Union

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 1
Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, will be President Donald Trump's guest at Tuesday night's State of the Union.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Kirk's attendance as "one of President Trump's special guests" in a post on X that included the Daily Wire article first reporting the announcement.

During his speech, the president will reportedly affirm that America is "one nation under God" and will call on Congress to "firmly reject political violence against our fellow citizens," the Daily Wire reported...
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U.S. men's hockey team coming to State of the Union, Johnson says

  • News source: Politics - CBSNews.com
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
Washington — The gold-medal winning U.S. men's hockey team is expected to appear at President Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday night, House Speaker Mike Johnson said ahead of the speech.

In an exclusive interview with "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil, Johnson said the team "will be there with their gold medals."

"Logistics were a bit of a challenge last minute, but I think we'll get that done," Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, said.

Mr. Trump invited the men's and women's hockey teams to his speech after the men defeated...
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U.S. women's hockey team declines State of the Union invitation

  • News source: Politics - CBSNews.com
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 3
The U.S. women's ice hockey team said Monday they will not be attending President Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday, citing scheduling conflicts.

In a statement to CBS News, a USA hockey spokesperson said the team — which defeated Canada in a stunning overtime at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games to take home their third Olympic gold medal — is "sincerely grateful for the invitation" and "deeply appreciates the recognition of their extraordinary achievement."

"Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional...
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Johnson calls Democrats' boycott of Trump's State of the Union "detestable"

  • News source: Politics - CBSNews.com
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 6
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he thinks it's "detestable" that some Democrats are boycotting President Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday, adding that "we're all for America."

"I think it's detestable that members would boycott the speech," Johnson told "CBS Evening News" anchor Tony Dokoupil in an exclusive interview ahead of the speech. "We've never done that. It doesn't matter if there's a Democrat president, you go and respect the office, you respect the decorum, the institution, the tradition of having had this speech made."...
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Judge holds DHS officials in contempt, orders compensation to Mexican national released in winter storm

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 5
A federal judge in Minnesota ruled on Monday to hold government officials in civil contempt for violating a judicial order that prohibited the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from transferring detainee Fernando Gutierrez Torres, a Mexican national.

U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud, who was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2018, found that despite an earlier order prohibiting Torres' transfer out of Minnesota, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) moved him to Texas without notifying his attorney.

A judge granted Torres' habeas...
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Democrats' 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' on 'full display' with counter-State of the Union events, Johnson says

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 5
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said the Democratic Party’s "Trump Derangement Syndrome" is on "full display" Tuesday as Democrats are planning to attend several counter-State of the Union events.

"This evening, the entire country will hear an update on the full scope of President Trump's transformational and historic first year back in office. The results speak for themselves. Why does he have so much to talk about? Because inflation is down, wages are up, investment is booming. The GDP is exceeding every expectation," Johnson said during the...
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Ukraine remembers its dead as war enters a fifth year

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
Events were held across Ukraine to mark four years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
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Nigeria denies report it paid 'huge' ransom to free pupils in mass abduction

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
The rebuttal was followed by news the police chief was resigning a year before the end of his term.
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Probe under way after illness kills 72 tigers in Thai tourist park

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
Authorities say samples showed the canine distemper virus, but have not confirmed where it came from.
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Ramaphosa thanks Putin for release of South Africans lured into Russia-Ukraine war

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
The men believed they were going to Russia for training as bodyguards but ended up on the front line.
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Ex-FBI official fired by Trump admin lobs DOJ weaponization accusation while launching US House bid

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 8
Former assistant director in charge of the FBI Washington field office Dave Sundberg has mounted a bid for U.S. Congress, accusing President Donald Trump's administration of weaponizing the Justice Department.

The U.S. House hopeful accused the administration of firing him while sweeping out people who wouldn't execute the president's political aims.

"In January 2025, I was fired by the Trump Administration as part of a retaliatory purge against those who refused to carry out the President’s political agenda. While they took my job, they cannot...
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Trump plans to honor 100-year-old veteran during speech, sources say

  • News source: Politics - CBSNews.com
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 5
President Trump is planning to honor a 100-year-old veteran Tuesday night by awarding E. Royce Williams the Medal of Honor for his actions in a secret mission during the Korean War, sources with knowledge of the matter told CBS News.

This would mark the first time that a president has awarded the medal, the U.S. military's highest honor for valor in combat, during a State of the Union address.

White House spokespeople didn't respond to requests for comment. The plan, which has not previously been reported, could change.

Williams, a retired Navy...
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Pirro drops effort to indict 6 lawmakers who posted video on illegal orders

  • News source: Politics - CBSNews.com
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 5
Washington — The top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C. has decided to table efforts to try to indict six Democratic lawmakers for posting a video urging military members not to follow illegal orders, sources told CBS News on Tuesday.

The decision by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro to end the case comes after a grand jury in Washington, D.C. earlier this month refused to return an indictment, CBS News previously reported.

It was not yet clear whether the Justice Department could still explore pursuing other venues for the case, one of the sources...
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Dem rep identifies himself as one of this year's State of the Union designated survivors

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., has identified himself as one of the designated survivors ahead of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

Designated survivors do not attend the president's address in person and instead watch it from a secure, undisclosed location.

"I’ve been selected as a designated survivor for tomorrow’s State of the Union, so I won’t be there in person, but I’ll be watching. Americans deserve accountability for the militarization of ICE, terrorization of our communities and killing of American...
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Floods and landslides in Brazil kill at least 20

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 6
Hundreds of people have been displaced and dozens are missing, with rescue operations still ongoing in Juiz de Fora.
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Two dead after winter storm hammers the US northeast

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 5
Two people died when a tree fell on their car during a historic winter storm that has also delayed flights and left thousands without power.
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Nancy Guthrie's family offers $1m reward to bring home missing mother

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 5
Fighting back tears, the missing woman's NBC host daughter says they accept she may be dead.
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Celebrity doctor Peter Attia steps down from CBS over Epstein links

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 5
The health influencer's spokesman says he wants to avoid his association with the late sex offender becoming "a distraction".
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Robert Carradine, Lizzie McGuire and Revenge of the Nerds star, dies aged 71

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 5
His family says the actor took his own life after living with bipolar disorder for nearly two decades.
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Growing number of Democrats skipping Trump's 2026 State of the Union

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 6
A growing number of Democrats are trying to divert attention away from President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday through their absences amid a limited set of options for peaceably voicing their displeasure with the administration.

A number of Democrats will instead attend the "People's State of the Union" event held near the Lincoln Memorial.

The event, described as a rally, is organized by MeidasTouch and MoveOn Civic Action, a pair of left-leaning media and activist groups, and will focus on criticisms of Trump’s first year...
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Report card: Conservative and liberal strategists reveal how Trump has fared on campaign promises

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 5
Ahead of President Donald Trump's first State of the Union address since returning to the White House, his record on key campaign pledges is mixed, as some promises have been fulfilled while others are still pending or tied up in legal challenges.

Trump’s 2024 campaign centered on immigration, the economy, sweeping tariffs and ending the United States’ involvement in foreign conflicts. More than a year into his second term, Republican and Democratic strategists alike told Fox News Digital the administration has made significant strides in some of...
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To go or not to go? Supreme Court at the State of the Union

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
It goes against the very instincts of some of the most powerful officials in the U.S.: get all dressed up, appear before a national TV audience, but sit there like statues without betraying any words or emotion.

For members of the Supreme Court, enduring the annual State of the Union address is a civic exercise in poker-faced discretion. As recent history has shown, that has not always been easy.

Tuesday's speech by President Donald Trump will be watched closely not only for what is said, but also for who will be there in person to hear it —...
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Federal court refuses to block new Utah congressional voting map that may favor Democrats

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
A federal court ruling Monday has essentially locked in a new Utah congressional redistricting map that would create a Democrat-heavy Salt Lake City-based seat, potentially flipping one of Utah's Republican-held U.S. House seats.

A special three-judge federal panel is allowing a revised congressional redistricting map in Utah to go into effect, rejecting an effort by state Republicans to block it. The judicial panel denied a Republican-led request for a preliminary injunction to put the new map on hold.

The new voting boundaries give Democrats a...
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