Thom Tillis

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending congressionally passed sanctions on Russia two days before they were due to take effect, citing US "national interests." The Graham Act measures would have allowed tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the top purchasers of Russian oil and gas, and targeted Russian officials, financial institutions and the "shadow fleet." Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the move as a 60-day pause to assess global economic impact. Lawmakers from both parties criticized the waiver, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the US had "completely disregard" the sanctions and was "rewarding Putin."

23 reports · 4 sources · Updated Oct 19, 12:05 AM UTC

President Donald Trump canceled a Pentagon plan to livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009. The reversal followed bipartisan criticism from lawmakers, religious leaders, 72 retired military officers, the UN human rights office and about 80 percent of Americans in polling. Hasan's execution remains scheduled for December 3, 2026, at Fort Hood, and would be the first US military execution in more than 60 years. Victims' immediate families may attend in person.

51 reports · 9 sources · Updated Oct 16, 02:22 AM UTC

US President Donald Trump announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply over 300,000 tons of diesel immediately, with 500,000 tons in November and one million tons thereafter, alongside temporary sanctions relief until April 2027. The move, aimed at lowering US fuel prices before midterm elections, drew bipartisan criticism over alleged violations of the 2022 Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, angered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and prompted Trump to call for Ukraine to replace its leadership.

38 reports · 11 sources · Updated Oct 14, 04:00 PM UTC

The Pentagon announced that President Donald Trump approved the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist convicted in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that killed 13 people and wounded 32 others, by firing squad on December 3. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the execution would be public and livestreamed, prompting bipartisan backlash in Congress. Lawmakers including Sen. Thom Tillis, Rep. Austin Scott, Rep. Adam Smith and Sen. Jack Reed condemned the plan, while some Republicans supported it. The execution would be the military's first in 65 years and the first public U.S. execution in 90 years.

6 reports · 3 sources · Updated Oct 12, 03:49 PM UTC

The Pentagon announced that Nidal Hasan, convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting, will be executed by firing squad on December 3 at Fort Hood, Texas, and the execution will be livestreamed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the plan, saying the public must see serious consequences for such acts. President Donald Trump approved the execution, which would be the first U.S. military execution since 1961 and the first firing squad execution since World War II. The plan has drawn bipartisan criticism and international opposition.

36 reports · 6 sources · Updated Oct 12, 12:11 PM UTC

The U.S. Senate voted 50-49 on a motion to proceed with the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, a 600-page bill to establish the first federal regulatory framework for digital assets and clarify SEC and CFTC jurisdiction. The vote fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed to advance. Opposition centered on insufficient investor protections and ethics concerns over President Trump’s $1.4 billion in crypto earnings. The bill remains on the Senate calendar for potential future negotiations.

7 reports · 3 sources · Updated Sep 17, 09:00 PM UTC