Crypto makes midterm moves

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 11:45 pm

{beacon} Technology Technology   The Big Story Crypto industry wades into midterm elections The cryptocurrency industry is ramping up its spending ahead of the midterm elections after accumulating a massive war chest in the wake of several key wins in 2024. © Andrew Harnik, Associated Press The industry’s leading super PAC network, Fairshake, had more...

NAACP threatens to sue Musk's xAI over Mississippi gas turbines powering data center

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 11:31 pm

The NAACP on Friday threatened to sue Elon Musk's AI company xAI, claiming that gas turbines powering a company data center are polluting communities in Mississippi and Tennessee. "Our communities are not playgrounds for corporations who are chasing profit over people. xAI’s first data center is already creating pollution for Mississippi’s neighbors in Memphis —...

House Democrats accuse DOGE of 'breaking the government'

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 11:30 pm

A new report from House Democrats concludes that President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was “nothing short of a catastrophe.” The 47-page report, published Thursday by Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, argues that DOGE’s interest was to serve Trump’s wealthy allies rather than to reduce costs for the federal government...

Farm bill pesticide measure sure to anger MAHA

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 11:10 pm

{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   The Big Story Farm bill pesticide measure sure to anger MAHA Republicans are using the farm bill to take another swing at passing legislation to protect pesticides, something sure to anger their allies in the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement. © AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File...

Another US aircraft carrier heads to the Middle East

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 10:30 pm

Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story Another US aircraft carrier heads to the Middle East The U.S. is sending the world’s largest aircraft carrier to the Middle East as tensions between Washington and Tehran ratchet up. © Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class...

Ex-FBI agent criticizes Guthrie reward as too low: 'This is insane'

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 10:20 pm

A former FBI agent on Friday slammed the federal government for not raising the reward price higher for information leading to the whereabouts of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC "Today" host Savannah Guthrie, comparing it unfavorably with the award offered in the famous Lindbergh baby kidnapping. "I got a phone call from an old...

Blanche says Khanna named 'random people' in House speech on Epstein files

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 10:16 pm

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Friday accused two congressmen of revealing the names of “completely random people” in relation to the Justice Department’s (DOJ) investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) have been at the forefront of a bipartisan push to release all of the files...

1 year of Health Secretary RFK Jr. 

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 10:03 pm

Presented by the Coalition to Strengthen America's Healthcare {beacon} Health Care Health Care The Big Story One year of Health Secretary RFK Jr. In the year since being confirmed by the Senate, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has undoubtedly transformed the U.S. public health landscape, breaking the federal government away from...

Democrats launch investigation into DOJ tracking of lawmakers' Epstein files searches

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 9:59 pm

House Judiciary Committee and Oversight Committee Democrats launched a joint investigation into the Justice Department on Friday after Attorney General Pam Bondi was spotted reviewing a summary of a lawmaker’s searches of the unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files. The letter demands the Department of Justice (DOJ) “immediately cease tracking Members’ review of the Epstein files” and...

Bannon on ICE Minnesota withdrawal: 'It’s just not going to wash'

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 9:33 pm

Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon slammed the White House's withdrawal of federal immigration enforcement officers from Minnesota, saying on his podcast on Thursday that "it's just not going to wash." Bannon, on the latest episode of his "War Room" podcast, criticized White House border czar Tom Homan for giving compliments to Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz...

DHS official says officers apparently lied about shooting incident

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 9:13 pm

Two immigration officers are under investigation over allegations that they may have lied under oath about how an incident unfolded in Minneapolis last month, during which a Venezuelan migrant was shot in the leg, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials confirmed Friday. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the officers — who were not named...

1 year of RFK Jr.: How his MAHA agenda has reshaped US public health

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 9:00 pm

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s first year in office has upended decades of public health norms. He’s touted his overhauls as major wins for his “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda, but critics call his actions "chaos" while his supporters are hoping he’ll deliver more. Following a testy confirmation process marked by cracks in the GOP over Kennedy’s views, the Senate confirmed him as HHS secretary on Feb. 13,...

Rogan: Epstein files 'scare the s‑‑‑ out of me,' 'definitely not a hoax'

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 8:45 pm

Podcaster Joe Rogan said the Jeffrey Epstein files “scare the s‑‑‑” out of him and are “definitely not a hoax,” days after addressing his own appearance in the files.  “This is the one that I hate the most,” Rogan said during a conversation with Black Rifle Coffee Co. Chair Evan Hafer, the guest on an...

Don Lemon pleads not guilty on charges stemming from church protest

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 8:44 pm

Former television host and media personality Don Lemon pleaded not guilty Friday to charges he faces in connection with his coverage of an anti-ICE protest in Minnesota last month. Lemon, who attended the Jan. 18 protest and has argued he was there as a journalist covering the demonstration, faces federal civil rights charges under the Freedom of...

Trump attacks Roy Cooper, hypes GOP opponent during Fort Bragg speech

By: The Hill

Published on: February 13, 2026, 8:43 pm

President Trump went after former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D), who's running for Senate, and hyped up his opponent, Republican Michael Whatley, during his Friday speech at the Fort Bragg military base in North Carolina. “We want to keep this area safe, and we can't do that without the leaders. And your ex-governor is...