Washington Times - Politics, Breaking News, US and World News

‘What are we here for?’: Congress keeps writing kids’ online safety bills, then lets them vanish

A group of young people with mobile phones on the street. (File photo credit: carballo via Shutterstock)

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

Lawmakers are tired of teaming up on bipartisan bills to protect kids online, only to have the broadly supported measures languish.

Trump and top Iranian officials exchange threats over protests roiling Iran

This combo shows President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. and Iranian Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Bilal Hussein)

By Jon Gambrell - Associated Press

U.S. President Trump and top Iranian officials exchanged dueling threats Friday as widening economic protests swept across parts of the Islamic Republic, further escalating tensions between the countries after America bombed Iranian nuclear sites in June.

This combo shows President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. and Iranian Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Bilal Hussein)

Trump and top Iranian officials exchange threats over protests roiling Iran

By Jon Gambrell - Associated Press

President Donald Trump listens as Elon Musk speaks in the Oval Office at the White House, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

DOGE at one year: Efficiency department sparks lasting changes in federal spending habits

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

Michael Dell, and his wife Susan, listen as President Donald Trump speaks during an event on "Trump Accounts" for kids in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump attracts America’s billionaires to bankroll policies and projects

By Mallory Wilson - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump greets Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev at the White House, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) **FILE**

Azerbaijan, Armenia quietly pull back from Moscow, edge closer to Washington after Trump peace deal

By Jacob Wirtschafter - Special to The Washington Times

A demonstrator holds a sign calling for the defunding of the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department during a rally in Kansas City on Saturday, June 13, 2020, to protest the death of George Floyd. Leaders in largely Democratic Kansas City, Missouri, don't control the city's police department, hire the police chief or determine how the department spends its tax dollars. A 1930s-era law gives that power to a five-member board largely appointed by the Missouri governor, who since 2017 has been a Republican. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) **FILE**

‘Defund the police’ contributed to officer shortage through broken spirits more than tighter budgets

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times

Happening Now

President Donald Trump greets Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev at the White House, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) **FILE**

Azerbaijan, Armenia quietly pull back from Moscow, edge closer to Washington after Trump peace deal

By Jacob Wirtschafter - Special to The Washington Times

A demonstrator holds a sign calling for the defunding of the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department during a rally in Kansas City on Saturday, June 13, 2020, to protest the death of George Floyd. Leaders in largely Democratic Kansas City, Missouri, don't control the city's police department, hire the police chief or determine how the department spends its tax dollars. A 1930s-era law gives that power to a five-member board largely appointed by the Missouri governor, who since 2017 has been a Republican. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) **FILE**

‘Defund the police’ contributed to officer shortage through broken spirits more than tighter budgets

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump attends a Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission Event in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump says his MRI scan was CT scan, denies falling asleep in White House meetings 21 minutes ago

By Mallory Wilson - The Washington Times

Mayor Zohran Mamdani reacts after speaking during his inauguration ceremony, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Zohran Mamdani promises to govern ‘expansively and audaciously’ in inaugural speech as NYC mayor

By Anthony Izaguirre - Associated Press

Commentary

Democrats and health care costs, inflation illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Democrats should get blame for health care costs, inflation

By Tim Murtaugh

Economic growth for small businesses illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

2026 will be a strong year for most small businesses

By Gene Marks

Presidential authority in Venezuela boat drone strikes illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

A measured look at presidential authority in Venezuela maritime strikes

By Rep. Chuck Edwards

FILE - Bremerton High assistant football coach Joe Kennedy, front, walks off the field with his lawyer, right, Oct. 16, 2015, after praying at the 50-yard line following a football game in Bremerton, Wash. His story is now the basis for a new faith-fueled movie, "Average Joe," in theaters on Oct, 11, 2024. (Lindsey Wasson/The Seattle Times via AP, File)

Coach Joe Kennedy’s untold story

By Kelly Shackelford

Democrats attack Act 10 in Wisconsin illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

Unaffordability spikes in Wisconsin

By Scott Walker

Culture View all

This Dictionary.com page shows the newest word of the year "6-7" on a computer screen, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

Parents and teachers rejoice as ‘6-7’ named most banished-worthy phrase of 2025

By Corey Williams - Associated Press

Several MTV music-only channels broadcast in the U.K. and several other countries went off the air for good on Wednesday night. File photo: IgorGolovniov via Shutterstock.

International MTV music-only channels go off the air

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

A man accidentally ended a New Year’s Eve fireworks show in Omaha, Nebraska, early after tripping over a cord. File photo: QinJin via Shutterstock

Oops: Man trips, unplugs New Year’s Eve fireworks halfway through the show

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Bad Bunny performs during the iHeartRadio Music Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday, March 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) **FILE**

Bad Bunny could make history at the 2026 Grammys. For Latino culture, he already has

By Maria Sherman - Associated Press

View all

Artist’s illustration of Rocket Lab’s spacecraft for the U.S. Space Force’s Tactically Responsive Space mission, VICTUS HAZE. Credit: Rocket Lab

Threat Status podcast: When will the Space Force station humans in orbit?

President Donald Trump greets Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev at the White House, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) **FILE**

Azerbaijan, Armenia quietly pull back from Moscow, edge closer to Washington after Trump peace deal

By Jacob Wirtschafter - Special to The Washington Times

This image made from undated video provided by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, shows a downed drone at an undisclosed location that it said was one of the Ukrainian drones involved in an alleged attack on a residence of President Vladimir Putin this week – a claim Kyiv has denied as a "lie". (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Russia’s footage shows drone allegedly used in attack on Putin’s residence

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te delivers his New Year speech at the Presidential Office, in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stresses defense resilience, political consensus in defiant speech

By Andrew Salmon - The Washington Times

Trump Central View all

This combo shows President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. and Iranian Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Bilal Hussein)

Trump and top Iranian officials exchange threats over protests roiling Iran

By Jon Gambrell - Associated Press

President Donald Trump listens as Elon Musk speaks in the Oval Office at the White House, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

DOGE at one year: Efficiency department sparks lasting changes in federal spending habits

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump attends a Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission Event in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump says his MRI scan was CT scan, denies falling asleep in White House meetings 21 minutes ago

By Mallory Wilson - The Washington Times

United States President Donald Trump tees off during the opening ceremony for the Trump International Golf Links golf course, near Aberdeen, Scotland, July 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Trump administration ends lease for three golf courses in the District

By Mallory Wilson - The Washington Times

Most Popular

Democrats should get blame for health care costs, inflation

License fight gives Gov. Gavin Newsom another high-profile showdown with Trump

A year after DOGE, the cuts keep coming

Finnish police arrest 2 members of cargo ship's crew in connection with damage to undersea cable

Preparing for Richmond exit, Gov. Glenn Youngkin eyes Washington, faces MAGA skeptics

Politics View all

Mayor Zohran Mamdani reacts after speaking during his inauguration ceremony, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Zohran Mamdani promises to govern ‘expansively and audaciously’ in inaugural speech as NYC mayor

By Anthony Izaguirre - Associated Press

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he sits in a garbage truck Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Brian Stover pledges to ‘take out the trash’ in bid for Greene’s House seat

By Mallory Wilson - The Washington Times

A group of young people with mobile phones on the street. (File photo credit: carballo via Shutterstock)

‘What are we here for?’: Congress keeps writing kids’ online safety bills, then lets them vanish

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

Former Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith accompanied by his attorney Lanny Breuer, leave after his closed-door interview with House Republicans at Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Video
Jack Smith stands by his prosecutorial pursuit of Trump in transcript of House’s closed-door session

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Dive Deeper View all

Xiao Xiao, front, and his sister Lei Lei, twins of giant pandas, sit on the ground at the Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, March 10, 2023. (Naohiko Hatta/Kyodo News via AP)

‘Panda-monium’ in Japan as beloved bears summoned back to Beijing

By Andrew Salmon - The Washington Times

The energy industry is expecting a large uptick in electricity consumption because of the growing use of power-hungry artificial intelligence systems, and lawmakers are looking for ways to prevent the cost burden from hitting ordinary consumers. AI concept file image credit: Blue Andy via Shutterstock.

Video
The AI backlash is getting real

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks at an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Virginia’s Youngkin eyes Washington, faces MAGA skeptics

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

In this Aug. 13, 2016, photo, youngsters play in a pee-wee football game during halftime of a preseason NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang) **FILE**

High-stakes gamble: Parents pour thousands into youth sports despite microscopic pro odds

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

National View all

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a campaign event on Proposition 50, Nov. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File)

License fight gives Newsom another high-profile showdown with Trump

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

A Texas appeals court acquitted a former Austin Police Department detective who was sentenced to prison for fatally shooting a knife-wielding man. File photo: University of College via Shutterstock.

Texas court overturns former Austin cop’s conviction in deadly 2019 shooting

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable on farm subsidies in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from the Trump administration

By Josh Funk and Didi Tang - Associated Press

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference, Aug. 12, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)

Florida reaches $15 minimum wage milestone six years after voter approval

By Merrilee Gasser - The Center Square

World View all

Southern Yemen soldiers of Southern Transitional Council (STC) at a check point, in Aden, Yemen, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP Photo)

Saudi warplanes strike UAE-backed separatists in southern Yemen

By Ahmed Al-haj - Associated Press

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro gives a press conference in Caracas, Venezuela, Sept 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jesus Vargas, File)

Maduro open to talks with U.S. on drug trafficking, silent on CIA strike

By Regina Garcia Cano - Associated Press

In this photo provided by Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade press service, recruits perform drills at a training ground in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Andriy Andriyenko/Ukraine's 65th Mechanized Brigade via AP)

Russia puts death toll from Ukrainian strike on occupied village at 27; Kyiv rejects accusation

Associated Press

The sealed off Le Constellation bar, where a devastating fire left dead and injured during the New Year's celebrations, is seen in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, Friday morning, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

Revelers at Swiss Alpine bar describe horror and panic when a fire broke out, leaving about 40 dead

By Jamey Keaten, Stefanie Dazio and John Leicester - Associated Press

Sports View all

Washington Commanders quarterback Josh Johnson passes against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Injury-riddled Commanders look to cap lost season with win over Eagles’ backups

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Washington Capitals goalie Logan Thompson (48) watches the puck leave his net on a goal scored by Ottawa Senators' Ridly Grieg (71) during second period NHL hockey action on New Year's Day in Ottawa, on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press via AP)

Zetterlund’s 10th goal of season late in third period gives Senators a win over Capitals

Associated Press

Navy quarterback Blake Horvath runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Army, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)

Fully-loaded Navy set for battle with Cincinnati

By Clay Bailey - Associated Press

Oregon linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei (10) bobbles the ball before coming up with an interception during the second half of the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Texas Tech, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Oregon’s stout defense blanks Texas Tech, drives Ducks into playoff semifinals

By Tim Reynolds - Associated Press

Higher Ground View all

This photo provided by The New York Public Library shows the Schomburg Quran on Dec. 16, 2025 in New York. (Jonathan Blanc/The New York Public Library via AP)

Zohran Mamdani chose a Quran full of symbolism for his mayoral oath

By Safiyah Riddle - Associated Press

Pope Leo XIV reads the homily as he celebrates Mass on New Year's Day, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope opens 2026 with plea for peace in countries bloodied by war, families wounded by violence

By Nicole Winfield - Associated Press

An American flag is seen upside down at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, May 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

The Heritage Foundation restocks after wave of scholars defect to Pence-led group

By Valerie Richardson - The Washington Times

Buddhist monks on a "Walk for Peace" walk on Veterans Parkway in Fayetteville, Ga., on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, from Texas to Washington, D.C. (Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Buddhist monks persist in peace walk despite injuries as thousands follow them on social media

Associated Press

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President Donald Trump attends a Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission Event in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump says his MRI scan was CT scan, denies falling asleep in White House meetings

By Mallory Wilson - The Washington Times 21 minutes ago

Mayor Zohran Mamdani reacts after speaking during his inauguration ceremony, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Zohran Mamdani promises to govern ‘expansively and audaciously’ in inaugural speech as NYC mayor

By Anthony Izaguirre - Associated Press

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a campaign event on Proposition 50, Nov. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope, File)

License fight gives Newsom another high-profile showdown with Trump

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

United States President Donald Trump tees off during the opening ceremony for the Trump International Golf Links golf course, near Aberdeen, Scotland, July 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Trump administration ends lease for three golf courses in the District

By Mallory Wilson - The Washington Times

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in St. Paul, denounces President Donald Trump for calling Minnesota's Somali community "garbage" and dismissing the state as a "hellhole." (AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) **FILE**

Fraud allegations engulf Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz as Trump, GOP vow crackdown

By Jeff Mordock, Mary McCue Bell and Mallory Wilson - The Washington Times

Meta’s new AI privacy policy allows targeted ads, possibly political ads, based on chats with bots

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

This combo shows President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. and Iranian Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Bilal Hussein)

Trump and top Iranian officials exchange threats over protests roiling Iran

By Jon Gambrell - Associated Press

A man accidentally ended a New Year’s Eve fireworks show in Omaha, Nebraska, early after tripping over a cord. File photo: QinJin via Shutterstock

Oops: Man trips, unplugs New Year’s Eve fireworks halfway through the show

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Administration eyeing denaturalization for Somalis in Minnesota fraud, Leavitt says

By Mallory Wilson - The Washington Times

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, center, speaks next to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, right, during a news conference in Baltimore on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) **FILE**

Baltimore records nearly 50-year low in homicides in 2025

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times

Close-up of a red-necked wallaby. File photo credit: Sebastian_Photography via Shutterstock.

Rex the wallaby captured at Walmart after escaping animal sanctuary

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Police officers inspect the area where a fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar and lounge leaving people dead and injured, during New Year’s celebration, in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Alessandro della Valle/Keystone via AP)

About 40 people dead and 115 injured in fire at Swiss Alpine bar during New Year’s celebration

Associated Press

President Donald Trump speaks at a New Year's Eve celebration at his Mar-a-Lago club, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump rails against Minnesota’s ‘giant scam’ at New Year’s Eve bash at Mar-a-Lago

By Mallory Wilson - The Washington Times

In this photo released by the Taiwan Presidential Office, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te delivers his New Year speech at the Presidential Office, in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te stresses defense resilience, political consensus in defiant speech

By Andrew Salmon - The Washington Times

Shown is a police car with flashing lights. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Woman nabbed in Maryland, accused of striking Virginia State Police cruiser during multi-state chase

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Photo via Shutterstock

Florida woman accused of murder-suicide plot with great-granddaughter using prescription pills

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

New York Attorney General Letitia James, left, administers the oath of office to mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, center, as his wife Rama Duwaji looks on, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Zohran Mamdani takes oath as New York City mayor at historic subway station

By Anthony Izaguirre - Associated Press

The El Palito refinery rises above a beach in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

U.S. sanctions more companies, vessels tied to Venezuela oil operations

By Mallory Wilson - The Washington Times

This April 13, 2016, file photo shows the seal of the Central Intelligence Agency at CIA headquarters in Langley, Va. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

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CIA behind U.S. drone strike on Venezuelan dock allegedly used for drug smuggling: Reports

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

John Brennan briefs reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, after President Barack Obama made a statement about the suspicious packages found on U.S. bound planes. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Ex-CIA Director John Brennan is ‘target’ of federal investigation, his lawyer says

By Alex Swoyer - The Washington Times