Students are returning to campus as the Trump administration continues to reshape American academia. The big picture: The administration has leveraged federal education funding and threatened litigation against universities deemed misaligned with policy priorities — moves critics say subject academia to political whims. State of play: The all-of-government squeeze on higher education continues a 19-month battle that has brought scrutiny of international collaboration, threats to research funding, litigation and possible accreditation overhauls. - "It was an earthquake in January of 2025," says Stuart Shapiro, the dean of Rutgers' School of Planning and Public Policy who worked in the Office of Management and Budget. "The…
The White House has lifted its ban on TikTok for federal devices.
Following ByteDance’s divestment to U.S. investors, the Trump administration has reversed a ban on TikTok for federal devices. PULSE POINTS WHAT HAPPENED: - DETAIL: Back in 2022, the Biden government implemented a ban on TikTok for federal devices over fears of Chinese data collection. ByteDance, the Chinese technology company that created the app, agreed to divest in September 2025 to U.S. investors. The divestment prompted the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reassess its stance. The DOJ ultimately concluded that the app’s U.S. version was no longer subject to the ban. “TikTok is no longer a ‘covered application’ for purposes of the No TikTok on Government Devices Act,” reads a memo from Russell Vought, Director of the…Open
AI:The Trump administration has officially lifted the federal ban on TikTok for government devices following ByteDance's successful divestment to U.S. investors. Originally implemented during the Biden era due to concerns regarding Chinese data collection, the app is no longer classified as a "covered application" by the Office of Management and Budget after the ownership transition secured under President Trump’s administration. While several federal agencies are now establishing official accounts on the platform, the ban remains in effect for both chambers of Congress and various state governments. Despite this shift toward integration, the platform continues to face legal scrutiny regarding its impact on minors, specifically concerning…Open
The Senate passed a stopgap spending bill early Saturday that would keep the government funded through Dec. 11, moving Washington closer to avoiding another shutdown before the November midterms. Why it matters: The bipartisan 90-6 vote would push the next government funding deadline past Election Day while offering some checks on the Trump administration. State of play: The measure, which now goes to the House, generally maintains funding levels after the fiscal year ends Sept. 30, with a few negotiated exceptions. - It blocks the administration from implementing a proposed rule to give senior political appointees a larger role in reviewing federal grants, the Associated Press reported . - It prevents the administration from…
The Senate also confirmed David Cummins to be the new head of the Transportation Security Administration, and Hal Duncan, who was confirmed as the new deputy director of the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Senate leaders from both parties unveiled a short-term spending bill to keep the government open through December, but the deal strips out the administration's request for "Trump-class" battleships and blocks a proposed grant oversight rule that critics on both sides called politically charged. The bipartisan continuing resolution, rolled out Sunday on Capitol Hill, would fund […] The post Senate spending deal sidesteps shutdown but blocks key Trump priorities appeared first on American Almanac .
Senate leaders from both parties unveiled a short-term spending bill to keep the government open through December, but the deal strips out the administration's request for "Trump-class" battleships and blocks a proposed grant oversight rule that critics on both sides called politically charged. The bipartisan continuing resolution, rolled out Sunday on Capitol Hill, would fund federal agencies at current levels through Dec. 11, pushing the next spending fight well past the midterm elections and the September 30 fiscal-year deadline. The Senate plans to vote before lawmakers leave Washington for their August recess. The House has already passed a similar measure, though the Senate version diverges on several key provisions the White House…Open
Senate Republicans are warming to the idea of using a third reconciliation package to replenish the Pentagon's depleted weapons stocks. Why it matters: They still view reconciliation 3.0 as Plan B. - For now, though, they're willing to let House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) attempt the legislative equivalent of a triple axel: passing a rule, a short-term government funding bill and a budget resolution to unlock reconciliation. - "The tale of the tape is going to be what the House can do," Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said. - "Can the House pass it? I don't think that's a done deal. It's not offset, so I think there's going to be some troubled water there." But Republican senators aren't slamming the door on Johnson's plan,…
Rep. Mark Pocan and Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought clash over claims that cuts to USAID is linked to child deaths. Referencing Vought's Christian faith, Pocan asks, "Is it morally, ethically, or biblically wrong to facilitate the death of children?" Vought rejects the claims. Rep. Pocan says he's tapdancing around the question. #russellvought #omb #usaid #markpocan
Rep. Mark Pocan and Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought clash over claims that cuts to USAID is linked to child deaths. Referencing Vought's Christian faith, Pocan asks, "Is it morally, ethically, or biblically wrong to facilitate the death of children?" Vought rejects the claims. Rep. Pocan says he's tapdancing around the question. #russellvought #omb #usaid #pocan
The White House Office of Management and Budget is moving to take more control of billions of dollars in federal grants. Critics say the proposed change would jeopardize the integrity of U.S. science.
A new proposal would allow the administration to block grants if they do not satisfy President Trump’s agenda or support what it calls “anti-American” values.
