Trump live updates: Lawmakers return to House floor to vote on Republican budget bill moments after pulling it – UK Times

The U.S. on Monday imposed sanctions on dozens of people and oil tankers across China, the United Arab Emirates, India and other jurisdictions for allegedly helping to finance Iran and its support for militant groups that launch attacks against the U.S. and its allies.

Questions have been raised over President Donald Trump’s wellbeing after what looked like a bruise was spotted on the back of his right hand.

Zoomed-in photos of the 78-year-old’s clasped hands during a Monday meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron revealed what appeared to be a makeup-covered bruise.

“President Trump is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history. His commitment is unwavering and he proves that every single day,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told The Independent in a statement.

But others on X speculated about what could have caused the bruising.

Some X users attributed the markings to an IV, others believed he could be on blood thinning medications, and others still thought it could just be from aging.

The acting head of the IRS announced his abrupt plans to retire Friday after 38 years at the agency.

“The IRS has been my professional home for 38 years,” Doug O’Donnell said in a statement. “I care deeply about the institution and its people and am confident that Melanie will be an outstanding steward of the Service until a new Commissioner is confirmed.”

IRS Chief Operating Officer Melanie Krause will become the acting commissioner, the agency said.

“On behalf of the Treasury Department, I want to thank Doug O’Donnell for his decades of public service and dedication to the nation’s taxpayers,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. “He has been a remarkable public servant, and I wish him the best in retirement. At the same time, Melanie Krause and the agency’s leadership team are well positioned to serve during this critical period for the nation in advance of the April tax deadline.”

The top Republican in the U.S. Senate broke with the Trump administration on the question of who started the war in Ukraine.

On Monday, the United States voted against a resolution backed by 93 nations that condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. In doing so, the U.S. found itself on the same side as Russia, North Korea and Belarus. Previously, Donald Trump has said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is responsible for starting the war.

But Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters he was not sure why the U.S. voted the way it did at the United Nations.

Eric Garcia has the story.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer tells The Independent’s Eric Garcia that “this is important for the House so that the House can actually be in the driver’s seat.”

House Majority Leader Scalise says “on a vote like this, you’re always going to have people you’re talking to all the way through to the close the vote.” On Trump’s role in the matter, Scalise added: “I don’t get into his individual conversations but he’s been tremendously helpful.”

The U.S. is going to be “selling” gold cards for a price of $5 million, Trump said in the Oval Office Tuesday.

“We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million and that’s going to give you Green Card privileges, plus it’s going to be a route to citizenship,” the president said.

Kelly Rissman has the details.

Members of the Congressional DOGE Caucus spoke at a press conference outside the Capitol about how they are working in Congress to enshrine the changes spearheaded by Trump and Elon Musk.

When asked about federal employees who had been fired, Rep. Ralph Norman said, “Why are they not pleading their case?”

The South Carolina Republican said the fired employees needed to justify why they deserve a job with an average salary that tops $100,000.

And veterans? “Our heart aches,” for anyone who loses their job, said Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., the caucus co-chair.

“There are other opportunities, and if anybody can overcome obstacles getting another job, it’s veterans,” Bean said.

As the lawmakers took turns at the podium, a small group of protesters and passersby interrupted, yelling insults about DOGE and Musk.

The pastor of an evangelical church with ties to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth once claimed slavery promoted “affection between the races” in the South.

Doug Wilson, founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), wrote in his 1996 book Southern Slavery: As It Was, that there had “never been a multi-racial society which has existed with such mutual intimacy and harmony in the history of the world.”

Politico reports that back in 2020, Elon Musk called President Donald Trump “a fucking moron” behind his back while in the White House.