Russia launched its deadliest attack on Kyiv in months, killing nine people and forcing Zelenskyy to cut short his South African trip. In a rare public rebuke, Trump posted "Vladimir, STOP!" while simultaneously defending his Ukraine peace plan that would recognize Russian control of Crimea.
Federal judges dealt multiple blows to Trump policies, blocking parts of his executive order requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, barring funding cuts to sanctuary cities, and ordering the return of a second wrongfully deported migrant.
The Pentagon saga continued with reports that Defense Secretary Hegseth had an unsecured internet line installed to use Signal messaging app, while denying the makeup studio installation story.
Internal administration tensions emerged between billionaire advisors, while the DOJ faced embarrassment after accidentally uploading a memo admitting its plan to kill New York's congestion pricing was "very unlikely to succeed."