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Today's Political News Compilation - Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Feb 18
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Below are some of the top political news stories of the day:


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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in
Washington, February 18, 2026. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

abc.png
Democrats, White House still far from DHS funding deal amid standoff over ICE​

By Alexandra Hutzler, Lalee Ibssa, and Michelle Stoddart
February 18, 2026, 3:47 PM

The standoff between Democrats and the White House over Department of Homeland Security funding and immigration enforcement continued on Wednesday, with both sides digging in as the partial government shutdown hit its fifth day.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the counteroffer made by Democrats "very unserious," while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries remained firm that Democrats would not back away from their demands for reform.

President Donald Trump, who had said he would be personally involved in negotiations, hasn't yet spoken with Democrats, according to Leavitt.

"He hasn't had any direct conversation or correspondence with Democrat lawmakers recently. It doesn't mean he's not willing to. I'm just not aware of any conversations that have taken place," she told reporters at Wednesday's press briefing.

Funding for DHS lapsed on Saturday, affecting agencies like the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Secret Service. ...

READ THE FULL STORY - ABC News
apnews.com

Many Democrats are still down on the Democratic Party, a new AP-NORC poll finds

Democratic candidates have notched a series of wins in recent special elections — but a new AP-NORC poll finds views of the Democratic Party among rank-and-file Democrats have not bounced back since President Donald Trump’s victory in 2024.
apnews.com apnews.com
www.nbcnews.com

At least 12 Democratic lawmakers plan to boycott Trump's State of the Union address

The members of Congress plan to attend a rally organized by progressive advocacy groups on the National Mall, instead.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
apnews.com

Late-night host Stephen Colbert isn't backing down from public dispute with CBS bosses

Colbert said that he was surprised by a network statement that denied Colbert had been told he couldn't air an interview with a Texas Senate candidate for fear of triggering a little-known “equal time” rule by the FCC.
apnews.com apnews.com
www.usatoday.com

Moore fires back at Trump over sewer spill: 'Please start doing your job'

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore blasted President Donald Trump over his response to a collapsed pipe that caused sewage to spew into the Potomac River.
www.usatoday.com
www.cbsnews.com

Trump has discussed timeline for Iran strikes — including as soon as this weekend — but no decision yet

Trump has not yet made a final decision about whether to strike Iran, sources told CBS News.
www.cbsnews.com www.cbsnews.com
apnews.com

Trump, weeks after backlash over racist post, hosts Black History Month reception

President Donald Trump has hosted a White House reception for Black History Month, less than two weeks after he sparked a bipartisan outcry by posting a racist video on social media that depicted former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle.
apnews.com apnews.com
abcnews.com

Leslie Wexner, in deposition, claims he had no knowledge of Epstein's criminal activity

Former Jeffrey Epstein associate Leslie Wexner told a House panel during a closed door deposition that he never had any knowledge of Epstein's criminal activity.
abcnews.com abcnews.com
news.yahoo.com

Republicans are eyeing major election changes. Trump’s mail voting crackdown isn’t one of them.

GOP lawmakers prefer a more targeted approach as the president rails against mail-in ballots.
news.yahoo.com news.yahoo.com
apnews.com

WH adviser Hassett urges 'discipline' for Fed economists over tariff study

President Donald Trump’s top economist on Wednesday urged that Federal Reserve economists be punished for research last week that showed American companies and consumers paying for nearly all the new tariffs imposed by the White House last year.
apnews.com apnews.com
www.cbsnews.com

Minnesota judge holds lawyer for DOJ in contempt as tensions flare over immigration cases

A Minnesota federal judge ordered a government attorney to be held in civil contempt of court, further escalating tension between the judiciary and Trump administration over immigration cases.
www.cbsnews.com www.cbsnews.com
www.nbcnews.com

John Cornyn warns of a GOP 'massacre' in Texas if Ken Paxton beats him in their Senate primary

Cornyn is locked in a hotly contested primary race against state Attorney General Ken Paxton and GOP Rep. Wesley Hunt.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
www.foxnews.com

House Republicans threaten to force Russia sanctions vote after giving leadership 'one last chance'

House Republican Reps. Don Bacon and Brian Fitzpatrick plan a possible discharge petition to force a vote on Russia sanctions for the Ukraine war, citing an urgent need for action.
www.foxnews.com www.foxnews.com
www.aljazeera.com

Kremlin official says Russian navy to stop West’s seizure of merchant ships

Russian official says Western powers seizing sanctioned vessels carrying Moscow's oil commit 'piracy-like attacks'.
www.aljazeera.com www.aljazeera.com
apnews.com

DC mayor declares emergency, asks President Trump for help on sewage spill on the Potomac

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared an emergency and requested that President Donald Trump provide federal resources to help the city fight a sewage system leak that has dumped millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River in its early stages.
apnews.com apnews.com
www.usatoday.com

A look inside USA TODAY’s exclusive interview with Gov. Wes Moore

In an exclusive interview with USA TODAY, Gov. Wes Moore reacts to being left out of a White House meeting and addresses rumors about a presidential run.
www.usatoday.com
www.nbcnews.com

Colorado group pursues ballot measure to pave the way for a new congressional map

The group is aiming to bypass Colorado's independent redistricting commission to put a Democratic-friendly map in place for the 2028 and 2030 elections.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
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Latest Political News Feed

Top Maryland Democrat defies Jeffries on mid-cycle redistricting push to boot state's lone Republican

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 3
A top Democrat in Maryland's state legislature threw cold water on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' campaign to oust the state's lone Republican from Congress.

Jeffries, D-N.Y., was in Annapolis on Wednesday meeting with state leaders to discuss redrawing Maryland's congressional map before the November 2026 midterms.

He's one of the highest-profile Democrats pushing the state to join the growing redistricting war, which could see Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., effectively drawn out of the one Republican-leaning district in the state.

That would...
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Gov. Wes Moore stands by account of grandfather's interaction with KKK amid scrutiny: 'Hurtful and offensive'

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 2
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, widely believed to have presidential ambitions, is standing by his account of his family's history of fleeing the Ku Klux Klan in South Carolina in the face of a report questioning the details about that story.

"It's hurtful, and it's offensive," Moore told Fox News Digital when asked about the report.

Earlier this month, the
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Built for weeks of war: Inside the firepower the US has positioned in the Middle East

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 3
The U.S. military has assembled one of its most substantial concentrations of naval and air power in the
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Trump jokes about Nobel Prize at inaugural Board of Peace meeting, says Norway will host Gaza aid gathering

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 3
President Donald Trump welcomed leaders from around the world on Thursday as he hosted the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, D.C.

One country that would not be joining the board, but will be hosting a related event is Norway.

The U.S. president announced the plan for Norway to host a meeting on Palestinian aid during the inaugural meeting of the board on Thursday. However, as he announced Norway's plans, he joked about getting the Nobel Peace Prize.

"I'm excited to announce that Norway has agreed to host an event bringing...
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Khanna and Massie threaten to force a vote on Iran as prospect of US attack looms

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 3
As the prospect of another U.S. military action against Iran looms, Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., want Congress to pass a measure that would order the president to terminate unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic.

"Trump officials say there's a 90% chance of strikes on Iran. He can’t without Congress. @RepThomasMassie & I have a War Powers Resolution to debate & vote on war before putting U.S. troops in harm’s way. I will make a motion to discharge to force a vote on it next week," Khanna declared in a Wednesday...
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Trump hails Vance and Rubio as ‘extraordinary’ duo: hammer and velvet glove

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 3
President Donald Trump lauded Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as "extraordinary" statesmen who complement each other's strengths as they take the MAGA platform to the world stage.

Trump’s newly formed Board of Peace — an international forum aimed at funding Gaza’s reconstruction and coordinating a postwar stabilization force — convened its inaugural meeting in Washington, D.C., Thursday with delegations from more than 40 countries participating. Trump lauded the pair as he addressed the massive body of foreign leaders and...
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Virginia Republicans charge 'power grab' as Democrat who backed redistricting runs for Congress

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 3
Virginia Republicans are taking aim at a Democratic state lawmaker who played a key role in pushing through congressional redistricting in the state and is now running for newly drawn U.S. House seat.

After Virginia Delegate Dan Helmer launched a congressional campaign, some Republican leaders took aim at him for what they call a "power grab."

"I think it does look bad," House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore told Fox News Digital, as he pointed to Helmer's plan to run for Congress. "The whole process looks terrible, because all it is a power grab. We...
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Trump says US contributing $10B to Board of Peace, Iran must reach nuclear deal or 'bad things happen'

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 3
The U.S. is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to the Board of Peace. President Donald Trump announced during the inaugural meeting of the board, that the U.S. was committing to contribute $10 billion to the board.

"The Board of Peace is showing how a better future can be built, starting right here in this room," Trump said on Thursday. "I want to let you know that the United States is going to make a contribution of $10 billion to the Board of Peace... and we've had great support for that number."

The president said that the...
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Trump's Board of Peace members pledge $7bn in Gaza relief

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 2
Trump said it "looks like" Hamas will disarm, even though there are signs the group is regrouping.
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Hamas is reasserting control in Gaza despite its heavy losses fighting Israel

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 1
Gazans say Hamas is again extending its control over security, tax revenue and government services.
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Virginia's Spanberger to deliver Democratic response to State of the Union

  • News source: Politics - CBSNews.com
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
Washington — Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to President Trump's State of the Union address next week, party leaders in Congress announced on Thursday.

"Gov. Spanberger has always put service over politics — defending our national security and delivering real results for working families," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. "She knows Americans want lower costs, safer communities, and a stronger democracy — not chaos and corruption. Gov. Spanberger will lay out a clear path forward...
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Trump White House ballroom proposal gets approval by Commission of Fine Arts

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 5
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts has officially fast-tracked the estimated $400 million proposal to build President Donald Trump's new White House East Wing ballroom Thursday.

While Thursday’s session was originally intended only for design discussion, Chairman Rodney Mims Cook Jr. moved for an immediate final approval.

"Our sitting president has actually designed a very beautiful structure," Cook said before the vote. "The United States just should not be entertaining the world in tents."

The project involves building the ballroom on the site...
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Critics warned Trump’s deportations would spark bloodshed — progressive group reports police killings fell

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
One year after critics warned President Donald Trump’s mass deportation push would spark bloodshed in America’s largest sanctuary cities, new data from a leading progressive police-reform group shows police-involved killings actually declined — the first drop in five years.

Lawmakers and activists from Los Angeles to New York predicted that Trump’s surge into largely sanctuary-city communities would lead to more violence against innocent residents, which recently reached a fever pitch with the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis...
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Son of Robert Mugabe arrested in South Africa on suspicion of attempted murder

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 6
Bellarmine Mugabe is in custody after a man who worked at the place where he was staying was shot and injured.
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Do not give away Diego Garcia, Trump tells UK in fresh attack on Chagos deal

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
The president's comments come just a day after the US gave its official backing to the UK's Chagos deal.
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US-Iran tension: Why Tehran may choose confrontation over 'surrender'

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 5
The Iranian leadership is weighing up whether resisting US demands is the best option for its survival.
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Texas woman who made series of violent threats fails to report to prison

  • News source: Politics - CBSNews.com
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
Washington — Abigail Shry's verbal threats against public officials have been racist, violent and detailed. Her targets have included a federal judge in Washington, a Democrat in the House and the Texas Capitol. She allegedly once said she would "annihilate" the Texas government in an "armed attack" that would be more violent than the Jan. 6 insurrection.

At one point, a federal prosecutor said Shry was "unmoored" and posed a danger.

Now there's a new concern: The feds can't find her.

Shry was supposed to report to prison Tuesday in Florida, but...
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Trump says U.S. will contribute $10 billion to Board of Peace

  • News source: Politics - CBSNews.com
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
Washington — President Trump on Thursday announced the United States will contribute $10 billion to the "Board of Peace" he established as part of his 20-point peace plan for Gaza, although the funding source isn't yet clear.

"I want to let you know that the United States is going to make a contribution of $10 billion to the Board of Peace," Mr. Trump told representatives from roughly 50 countries on Thursday. "The president called that a "very small number when you look at that compared to the cost of war."

It's not clear where that funding will...
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GOP rips FISA court for tapping ex-Biden ‘disinformation’ lawyer to advise on surveillance

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 5
Republican lawmakers called it "insane" that the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court appointed to a key advisory panel a lawyer with past ties to the Biden administration's controversial Disinformation Governance Board.

Judges on the FISC appointed Jennifer Daskal this month to serve as an amicus curiae, meaning Daskal is now among a small group of lawyers designated to advise the secretive court, which approves warrants for federal authorities to surveil targets for foreign intelligence purposes. The GOP lawmakers say Daskal's history...
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Hunter Biden's former 'sugar brother' lawyer drops big money on Swalwell's campaign: 'Biggest cheerleader'

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 3
FIRST ON FOX: Wealthy Hollywood lawyer Kevin Morris bankrolled Hunter Biden's legal defense and other bills when he was facing charges for federal firearms and tax crimes, and now he is helping finance the gubernatorial campaign of one of the most vocal defenders of Hunter, a new campaign finance filing reveals.

A campaign filing that was released on Tuesday revealed that Morris, who was dubbed Hunter's "sugar brother," for bankrolling his legal bills and lavish lifestyle, donated $29,900 to Rep. Eric Swalwell's, D-Calif., gubernatorial campaign on...
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Federal judge who ordered no warrantless ICE arrests in Colorado asserts DOJ not complying

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 3
A federal judge in Colorado has questioned whether the Trump administration is complying with his order barring warrantless ICE arrests in the state, according to Colorado Public Radio.

Senior U.S. District Judge R. Brooke Jackson, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, said during a hearing Wednesday that the Department of Justice appeared to be falling short of his November injunction requiring flight-risk assessments and warrants before detaining people, CPR News reported.

"These things shouldn’t be that difficult," Jackson said...
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Trump says world has 10 days to see if Iran deal reached

  • News source: BBC News - World
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 6
The US is surging forces to the Middle East amid negotiations with the Islamic Republic over its nuclear programme.
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Political stink: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump’s sewage spill blame ‘absurd'

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 7
Democratic Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland says he didn't seek a political scrap with President Donald Trump.

"I don't have any personal desire to go back and forth with the President of the United States. That's not why I ran for office," the Democratic governor of the solidly blue state emphasized in a Fox News Digital interview.

But like it or not, that's where Moore finds himself.

Trump refused to invite Moore to a traditionally bipartisan dinner of all the nations' governors later this week at the White House, saying Moore was "not worthy" of...
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Coast Guard caught as ‘collateral damage’ in Democrats' DHS shutdown as China, Russia press US waters

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
EXCLUSIVE: Republican lawmakers tasked with oversight of the Coast Guard said the lone military branch not under Pentagon authority is being wrongly hurt by Democrats holding up funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., is demanding "three basic objectives" to come back to the table, according to CBS News: prohibiting ICE agents from certain properties, unmasking agents in public while mandating bodycams, and addressing use-of-force concerns.

However, ICE and other immigration-related agencies...
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Federal judge holds DOJ attorney in contempt over ICE case

  • News source: FOX News
  • Replies: 0
  • Views: 4
A Justice Department attorney has been ordered to pay a $500 daily fine after a federal judge found him in civil contempt of court.

On Wednesday, Judge Laura Provinzino, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden, found Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isihara in civil contempt, hitting him with a daily fine.

The judge reportedly said that her goal was to ensure the government complies with her orders regarding Rigoberto Soto Jimenez, a detained Mexican immigrant living in Big Lake, Minn., KMSP-TV reported.

Soto Jimenez has reportedly...
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