White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt kicked off Monday's press briefing with a sharp rebuke of the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, labeling it 'shameful' as the agency remains unfunded for two and a half months. She urged Congress to restore funding and called for an end to what she described as 'the hateful and constant and violent rhetoric against President Trump,' emphasizing the need for peaceful debate and protest.
The comments come in the wake of Saturday's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, where a suspected gunman opened fire. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court Monday, with early indications suggesting he may have been targeting President Trump and other top officials. For more on the suspect's motives, see our detailed report on the manifesto revealing the Trump administration was the target.
Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, Senate Republicans are expressing growing unease with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's leadership. Several GOP senators privately say they are losing confidence and would like to see him 'move on,' though no formal moves have been made. Both the Senate and House are in session this week, with a full legislative agenda ahead.
The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments Monday in a case that could reshape how law enforcement conducts digital-age investigations. Another case on the docket may limit antipesticide lawsuits, pitting the Make America Healthy Again movement against the Trump administration. These decisions could have far-reaching implications for privacy and environmental policy.
On the international front, King Charles III and Queen Camilla begin a six-day visit to the United States on Monday, aiming to smooth U.S.-U.K. relations. However, the trip is shadowed by controversies surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which threaten to dominate headlines. Trump is scheduled to attend meetings before greeting the royals alongside first lady Melania Trump at the White House.
Security concerns remain high after the WHCA dinner shooting. House Speaker Mike Johnson has already raised questions about security protocols, and FBI Chief Patel has vowed an overhaul of event security. Senator Chuck Grassley has scheduled a Secret Service briefing to address potential lapses. For more on these developments, see Grassley's planned briefing on security lapses.
In a related political twist, Senator John Fetterman has urged Democrats to back Trump's decision to hold future events at the White House ballroom, arguing that political divisions should not compromise safety. The incident has also sparked debate on social media, with Trump joking that the NFL should sign the shooter, calling him a 'blur,' though he later backed the Secret Service and ordered a security review.
As the week unfolds, the intersection of domestic security, international diplomacy, and judicial rulings will keep Washington on edge. Follow our live updates for the latest developments.
