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

Washington’s Independence Day parade canceled over hot weather

A man wipes sweat off of his head while attending the Great American State Fair, on the National Mall, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Washington’s Fourth of July parade was abruptly canceled due to the city’s extreme weekend temperatures.

Trump pardons ‘grease monkeys’ who broke Biden-era strict emissions rules

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)

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

President Trump is pardoning nearly a dozen people who faced punishment for modifying cars and trucks in violation of emissions standards and other rules.

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)

Trump pardons ‘grease monkeys’ who broke Biden-era strict emissions rules

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, center, speaks between US Vice President JD Vance, left, and Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani prior to a quadrilateral meeting between the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, Sunday June 21, 2026. (Fabrice Coffrini/Keystone via AP)

What are the main issues facing U.S., Iranian negotiators?

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

In this June 29, 2020, file photo, the Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) ** FILE **

Supreme Court won’t hear challenges to age limits on gun purchasing

By Alex Swoyer and Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Wind turbines operate at Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

America’s first major offshore wind project is up and running, but plagued with problems

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump speaks at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Friday, July 3, 2026, near Keystone, S.D. (AP Photo/Matt Gade)

Trump hails U.S. exceptionalism, veers into darkly political speech at Mount Rushmore

Associated Press

Happening Now

Wind turbines operate at Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

America’s first major offshore wind project is up and running, but plagued with problems

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump speaks at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Friday, July 3, 2026, near Keystone, S.D. (AP Photo/Matt Gade)

Trump hails U.S. exceptionalism, veers into darkly political speech at Mount Rushmore

Associated Press

Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani arrives at the NBC studios to participate in a Democratic mayoral primary debate, June 4, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, Pool, File)

Mamdani urges Americans to ‘turn together’ on 250th birthday

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Iranian religious leaders and other mourners pay their respects before the coffins of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family during a viewing ceremony ahead of the dayslong funeral ceremonies at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran begins dayslong funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in war

By Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell - Associated Press

Commentary View all

The Commerce Department is decorated for the Fourth of July celebration, Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Americans of all ages and beliefs can rededicate themselves to USA’s founding principles

By Ron Sachs

The United States of America's 250th anniversary illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

America at 250: The United States has been blessed

By Mike Pompeo

President Ronald Reagan and the United States of America's independence illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

America at 250 should heed Reagan’s Independence Day lesson

By Scott Walker

Illustration on Democrats advancing socialism with infrastructure bill by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Democrats welcome their new Marxist overlords

By Tim Murtaugh

Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 6 GHz band and Wi-Fi innovation illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Fight for America’s wireless leadership

By Editorial Board

Culture View all

A "Just Married" sign is displayed on Madison Square Garden during a wedding between singer Taylor Swift and National Football League player Travis Kelce on Friday, July 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)

It’s official: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are married

By Kimberlee Kruesi - Associated Press

Bronze statues are seen installed at the fenced-off Freedom Plaza in Washington on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) ** FILE **

Trump urges Americans to check out American Revolution statue exhibit in the heart of Washington

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Visitors react to the heat while attending the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Freedom 250 organizers delay entry into fireworks viewing area due to heat

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

The Hopi headpiece that was damaged on June 17, 2026. (Credit: Grand Canyon National Park)

Grand Canyon photo fail ends with priceless Hopi art in pieces

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

View all

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, center, speaks between US Vice President JD Vance, left, and Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani prior to a quadrilateral meeting between the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar at the Burgenstock luxury hotel complex overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, Sunday June 21, 2026. (Fabrice Coffrini/Keystone via AP)

What are the main issues facing U.S., Iranian negotiators?

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

In this photo released by the Lebanese Presidency press office, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (right) meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, on Thursday, July 2, 2026. (Lebanese Presidency press office via AP)

Syrian foreign minister meets with Lebanese officials as tensions over Hezbollah mount

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping waves to people from a vehicle as he arrives at Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, to attend an event to mark the 60th anniversary of the consolidation of Beijing's long-contested rule over the Himalayan territory. (Shen Hong/Xinhua via AP) **FILE**

China’s ‘ethnic unity law’ raises new global concerns over forced assimilation, repression

By Andrew Salmon - The Washington Times

America's shipbuilding capacity has collapsed — and China knows it. Sen. Todd Young lays out why rebuilding the industry isn't just about commerce, but about national security and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Washington Times Threat Status event at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., on June 24, 2026. Photo credit: Eleanor Kaufman, special to The Washington Times.

Video
From one ship to 250: Sen. Young’s bold bet on rebuilding U.S. shipyards and outpacing China

Trump Central View all

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)

Trump pardons ‘grease monkeys’ who broke Biden-era strict emissions rules

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One, Friday, July 3, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. , for a trip to Mt. Rushmore. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump pardons former Abramoff partner, 9 people convicted of violating vehicle emissions controls

By Michelle L. Price - Associated Press

President Donald Trump speaks at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Friday, July 3, 2026, near Keystone, S.D. (AP Photo/Matt Gade)

Trump hails U.S. exceptionalism, veers into darkly political speech at Mount Rushmore

Associated Press

President-elect Donald Trump, from right, talks with Usha Vance and Vice President-elect JD Vance, not pictured, before a service at St. John's Church, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Trump reads a children’s book on Usha Vance’s podcast, then riffs on past presidents and himself

By Michelle L. Price - Associated Press

Politics View all

Wind turbines operate at Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

America’s first major offshore wind project is up and running, but plagued with problems

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks during a primary election night watch party after winning the Democratic nomination Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Blue Hill, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Platner borrows from the Trump playbook in maverick left-wing run for U.S. Senate

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., speaks as FBI Director Kash Patel appears before the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) **FILE**

Ethics Committee says it doesn’t have sexual harassment settlement data that House resolution seeks

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., takes part in the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. (Sven Hoppe /dpa via AP) **FILE**

AOC jumps into Michigan Senate fight, backing El-Sayed over party establishment

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Dive Deeper View all

This 1972 file photo shows Elvis Presley, the King of Rock &quot;n&quot; Roll, during a performance. At one of three concerts at the Monroe Civic Center in 1974, Elvis Presley gave one of his necklaces to a local 5-year-old. A documentary from Elvis historian and fan Bud Glass traces how the King of Rock ’N Roll traces the history of the piece. (AP Photo/File)

From refrigerators to rock ‘n’ roll — America marks 250 years of unsung inventions

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

Hot dogs are displayed on stage ahead of the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in New York's Coney Island on July 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) **FILE**

Hot dogs for history: July 4 competition to feature America250 flair

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Neighbors talk during a block party campaign event for Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jill Connelly)

The frustrated filmmaker who changed political advertising overnight

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

The sun rises over two Union Civil War artillery pieces as Civil War reenactors prepare to participate in the First Battle of Manassas 150th Anniversary Commemorative ceremony at the Manassas National Battlefield Park in Manassas, Va., on Thursday, July 21, 2011. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) ** FILE **

Company kills plan for world’s largest data center hub near Manassas National Battlefield Park

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

National View all

Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. joins other members of the Supreme Court as they pose for a new group portrait, Oct. 7, 2022, at the Supreme Court building in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ** FILE **

NPR retracts Alito retirement story within minutes

By Alex Swoyer - The Washington Times

Rain runs down a sculpture of George Washington at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Keystone, S.D. (AP Photo/Matt Gade)

Fireworks, heat and politics: America celebrates its 250th birthday

By Steven Sloan - Associated Press

This image made from video provided by WISN-TV shows law enforcement use search boats in Geneva Lake, Wis., after receiving calls of an overturned boat on Friday, July 3, 2026. (WISN-TV via AP)

Wisconsin storms leave 3 dead and others rescued after boat capsizes on Geneva Lake

Associated Press

An 8-foot-tall bronze bust of President John F. Kennedy is seen in the Grand Foyer of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) ** FILE **

Sold out: Kennedy Center’s rooftop July 4th fireworks packages go for as much as $25,000

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

World View all

In this photo provided Saturday, July 4, 2026, by Ministery of Tourism and Antiquities, some of seven surface limestone-built tombs, discovered in the Marina el-Alamein archaeological site, are seen west of the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, Egypt. (Ministery of Tourism and Antiquities via AP)

Egypt uncovers lost Byzantine-era city in the western desert

By Samy Magdy - Associated Press

President Trump, right, shakes hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Sept. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Erdogan’s warm ties with Trump offer Turkey an edge ahead of NATO summit

By Seung Min Kim and Suzan Fraser - Associated Press

The First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Russian Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoy holds a news briefing in Moscow, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov)

Ukrainian drones hit St Petersburg oil terminal in latest long-range attack on Russia

Associated Press

Iranian religious leaders and other mourners pay their respects before the coffins of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family during a viewing ceremony ahead of the dayslong funeral ceremonies at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran begins dayslong funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in war

By Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell - Associated Press

Sports View all

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus, Ohio on April 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) **FILE**

‘I’m back!’ Ovechkin delays retirement, signs one-year deal with Capitals

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Hot dogs are displayed on stage ahead of the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in New York's Coney Island on July 4, 2018. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) **FILE**

Hot dogs for history: July 4 competition to feature America250 flair

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

United States' Malik Tillman (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring on a free kick during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Soft-spoken Tillman delivers a loud statement with his bloody sock goal at World Cup

By Josh Dubow - Associated Press

Serena Williams of the United States plays a backhand against Maya Joint of Australia in their first round women's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska)

Djokovic says ‘people need to cool off a little bit with judgment’ on Williams

By Andrew Dampf - Associated Press

Higher Ground View all

A man is publicly caned after he was convicted of violating Islamic law by kissing during a TikTok livestream, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Reza Saifullah)

TikTok livestream kiss triggers public caning under Indonesia’s Sharia law

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Texas state Rep. and Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico attends a rally in Houston, Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Joel Angel Juarez) ** FILE **

Commentary
Democrats’ bizarre ‘we’re all going to hell’ moment

By Billy Hallowell - The Washington Times

"Supergirl" movie plot and human trafficking illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Commentary
‘Supergirl’ movie’s darkest storyline is the one it ignores

By Scott Douglas Gerber

Pope Leo XIV delivers his blessing as he visits Pavia's Cathedral, northern Italy, on June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

Pope urges U.S. to recommit to founding ideas of protecting life, human dignity on 250th anniversary

By Nicole Winfield - Associated Press

Podcasts View all

Threat Status Podcast

LISTEN: Why Iran believes it won the war

Alex Vatanka joins the Threat Status podcast

Front Page Podcast

Get today’s top stories in under five minutes

Listen to the Front Page Podcast

Court Watch with Alex Swoyer

LISTEN: Supreme Court rulings to watch

Alex Swoyer looks at the term ahead

God, Country and the American Story

God, Country and the American Story

Sounding the alarm on Israel, Christianity & America’s future

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Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani arrives at the NBC studios to participate in a Democratic mayoral primary debate, June 4, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, Pool, File)

Mamdani urges Americans to ‘turn together’ on 250th birthday

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Iranian religious leaders and other mourners pay their respects before the coffins of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family during a viewing ceremony ahead of the dayslong funeral ceremonies at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla Grand Mosque in Tehran, Iran, Friday, July 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran begins dayslong funeral for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in war

By Nasser Karimi and Jon Gambrell - Associated Press

(Image by The Washington Times)

15 American-made products to help you stay cool and beat the summer heat

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

Visitors react to the heat while attending the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Freedom 250 organizers delay entry into fireworks viewing area due to heat

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police officers place signage on a light pole in Washington on Friday. April 17, 2026, informing the public that the area near Nationals Park is a designated juvenile curfew zone for youth under the age of 18. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) **FILE**

Police brace for ‘teen takeover’ chaos ahead of Fourth of July weekend

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

Russia's Vladimir Kramnik meets the media during a news conference after the 10th game of the Chess World Championship in the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn, western Germany, Oct. 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Hermann J. Knippertz, File)

Chess federation suspends former world champion who accused Naroditsky of cheating

By Matthew Brown - Associated Press

This photo provided by NASA shows Kieran Wilson, LINK’s principal investigator, and Hunter Robertson, a space systems engineer, both at Katalyst Space, standing next to their spacecraft inside the SES (Space Environment Simulator) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., April 17, 2026, ahead of thermal vacuum testing. (Sophia Roberts/NASA via AP)

Rescue mission launches to save NASA telescope that’s falling back to Earth

By Marcia Dunn - Associated Press

Rain runs down a sculpture of George Washington at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Friday, July 3, 2026, in Keystone, S.D. (AP Photo/Matt Gade)

Fireworks, heat and politics: America celebrates its 250th birthday

By Steven Sloan - Associated Press

The United Nations headquarters building is seen from inside the General Assembly hall, Sept. 21, 2021, during the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. (Eduardo Munoz/Pool Photo via AP, File)

Tibetan commits suicide by setting himself on fire after China enacts ethnic unity law

By Andrew Salmon - The Washington Times

The sun rises over two Union Civil War artillery pieces as Civil War reenactors prepare to participate in the First Battle of Manassas 150th Anniversary Commemorative ceremony at the Manassas National Battlefield Park in Manassas, Va., on Thursday, July 21, 2011. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) ** FILE **

Company kills plan for world’s largest data center hub near Manassas National Battlefield Park

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

A man is publicly caned after he was convicted of violating Islamic law by kissing during a TikTok livestream, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Reza Saifullah)

TikTok livestream kiss triggers public caning under Indonesia’s Sharia law

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

This 1972 file photo shows Elvis Presley, the King of Rock &quot;n&quot; Roll, during a performance. At one of three concerts at the Monroe Civic Center in 1974, Elvis Presley gave one of his necklaces to a local 5-year-old. A documentary from Elvis historian and fan Bud Glass traces how the King of Rock ’N Roll traces the history of the piece. (AP Photo/File)

From refrigerators to rock ‘n’ roll — America marks 250 years of unsung inventions

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

A video surveillance camera hangs from the ceiling above a subway platform, Oct. 7, 2020, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Public backlash explodes against mass surveillance cameras

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

This photo provided by the Massachusetts Historical Society shows a portrait of Abigail Adams. Abigail Adams, one of the most influential and important women in the history of the U.S., is being honored on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, with a new statue in the community just south of Boston where she and husband President John Adams lived. (Massachusetts Historical Society via AP)

New audio brings America’s boldest revolutionary women back to life

By Alex Swoyer - The Washington Times

In this photo released by the Pakistan Prime Minister Office, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, left, meets with hand with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Pakistan Prime Minister Office via AP) ** FILE **

Lead Iran negotiator tells allies Tehran will go to war again if U.S. does not fulfill commitments

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump, left, greets Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John G. Roberts Jr., right, as he arrives to address a joint session of Congress at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (Win McNamee/Pool Photo via AP)

Roberts court rebuffs Trump — gently

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping waves to people from a vehicle as he arrives at Lhasa in western China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, to attend an event to mark the 60th anniversary of the consolidation of Beijing's long-contested rule over the Himalayan territory. (Shen Hong/Xinhua via AP) **FILE**

China’s ‘ethnic unity law’ raises new global concerns over forced assimilation, repression

By Andrew Salmon - The Washington Times

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner speaks during a primary election night watch party after winning the Democratic nomination Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Blue Hill, Maine. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Platner borrows from the Trump playbook in maverick left-wing run for U.S. Senate

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump with his wife first lady Melanie Trump, as well as his sons Barron Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, left, and daughter Tiffany Trump, right, after taking the oath of office during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Shawn Thew/Pool photo via AP)

Trump says his family’s businesses can’t avoid conflicts of interest

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Palestinians walk along a road surrounded by buildings destroyed in Israeli military strikes during the Israel-Hamas war, in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, Thursday, July 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

Trump’s optimistic post-war Gaza plan meets the hard reality of Hamas’ grip

By Waseem Abu Mahadi - Special to The Washington Times