For our news blog, in addition to our own research, we use material from the news agencies dpa, Reuters, epd, KNA, and Bloomberg.
Important Updates
Ex-US Security Advisor accuses Trump of massive failures in Iran
Trump announces exclusion from CNN, MS Now, and Politico from the White House
Controversial execution in Alabama
US Election Campaign: Republican Legislators criticize Trump
Trump surprisingly withdraws his candidate for the Immigration Service (ICE)
Does Trump threaten demolition? Protests against his plans at the Kennedy Center
The dispute between US President Donald Trump and one of the country's most important cultural institutions has further intensified. Hundreds of people protested on Friday evening in front of the John F. Kennedy Center against the immediate closure of the building that Trump ordered on Tuesday. He names renovation work as the official reason. However, a legal dispute over Trump's demand to name the center after him and place his name on the facade has been ongoing for months. A US judge had previously rejected this request. The cultural center is subject to the US Congress, so it is said that only the Congress can change its name, in the legal reasoning.
Hundreds of people protested on Friday evening in front of the John F. Kennedy Center against the plans of the US President. Photo: Leah Millis/Reuters
Trump on board Air Force One with a sign that reads "Demolition" and "Kennedy Center". Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP
The AFP photographer Brendan Smialowski managed to get an extraordinary shot on a military airfield on Thursday through the window of Air Force One. In it, Trump is seen looking at a sign clearly showing the words "Demolition" and "Kennedy Center" – next to it, a yellow construction vehicle is clearing debris. Trump has already threatened to demolish the building.
Ulrike Putz
Ex-US Security Advisor accuses Trump of massive failures in Iran
The former National Security Advisor of the USA, John Bolton, accuses US President Donald Trump of massive failures in the war against Iran. "Trump decides without considering the consequences, without running through possible scenarios. This has put him in a situation where he does not know the way out today," said Bolton in the "Interview of the Week" on Deutschlandfunk. "The crucial question is what goal one pursues with military force."
Bolton also accused Trump of inadequate information policy. The Republican did not convince either the US public or Congress of the need for a military intervention in Iran. He did not inform NATO or the Gulf states, nor Japan or South Korea. And above all, he did not cooperate with the resistance in Iran. "It is very widespread, although poorly organized," said Bolton. Trump could have asked the opposition whether they needed money, communication means, or weapons. "People in the country could further destabilize the regime until it can no longer hold on."
All this needs time, said Bolton. Trump has not taken this time. "That is why he, as often, has not thought through what his goal is and what would be necessary to achieve it." He does not know what Trump wanted to achieve with the attacks of February 28th. "If it was a regime change, he did not prepare anything for it. Naming a goal does not mean it happens by a snap of the fingers."
Bolton also accused Trump of inadequate information policy. The Republican did not convince either the US public or Congress of the need for a military intervention in Iran. He did not inform NATO or the Gulf states, nor Japan or South Korea. And above all, he did not cooperate with the resistance in Iran. "It is very widespread, although poorly organized," said Bolton. Trump could have asked the opposition whether they needed money, communication means, or weapons. "People in the country could further destabilize the regime until it can no longer hold on."
All this needs time, said Bolton. Trump has not taken this time. "That is why he, as often, has not thought through what his goal is and what would be necessary to achieve it." He does not know what Trump wanted to achieve with the attacks of February 28th. "If it was a regime change, he did not prepare anything for it. Naming a goal does not mean it happens by a snap of the fingers."
Court: Trump administration not allowed to cancel solar program
A federal court in the US state of Rhode Island has ruled that the cancellation of a multi-billion dollar solar energy program by the government of President Donald Trump was unlawful. Judge Mary McElroy ruled in favor of the lawsuit filed by a union and several non-profit organizations and solar companies on Friday. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under its head Lee Zeldin, had exceeded its powers when it withdrew the already approved funds of seven billion dollars last year.
The program "Solar for All," initiated by Trump's predecessor Joe Biden, was intended to promote the expansion of solar energy in low-income communities. Zeldin announced the cancellation in August 2025 and called the project a waste of money. Trump had signed a law called the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" in July 2025 that removed the financial basis for the program.
Judge McElroy argued, however, that Congress of the EPA had continued to grant more than three billion dollars for the administration of grant programs in the law. It was the clear will of the legislature that the agency should continue to administer the granted subsidies. The EPA acted against this will, the judge explained.
The program "Solar for All," initiated by Trump's predecessor Joe Biden, was intended to promote the expansion of solar energy in low-income communities. Zeldin announced the cancellation in August 2025 and called the project a waste of money. Trump had signed a law called the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" in July 2025 that removed the financial basis for the program.
Judge McElroy argued, however, that Congress of the EPA had continued to grant more than three billion dollars for the administration of grant programs in the law. It was the clear will of the legislature that the agency should continue to administer the granted subsidies. The EPA acted against this will, the judge explained.
Trump announces exclusion from CNN, MS Now, and Politico from the White House
The US President bans several important US media outlets from access to the White House. The television stations CNN and MS Now (formerly MSNBC) as well as the news portal Politico would be banned from the government center with immediate effect, Trump wrote on his social network Truth Social. The reason is constant "fake news" reporting. "Media houses should not constantly be able to write or report inventions and lies if they cover the President of the United States, the Trump administration, or the United States of America," the President added. Other media would follow.
This would exclude reporters from these media houses from press conferences and meetings of Trump in the Oval Office. CNN is one of the most well-known news channels worldwide. Politico belongs to the portfolio of the German media group Axel Springer. It remained unclear how far-reaching the ban was and whether journalists could also not be present on government flights in Air Force One. CNN, MS Now, Politico, and the National Press Club did not comment on the matter at first.
The minority leader of the Democrats in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, wrote on the platform X: "Donald Trump has just done what dictators have done throughout history." He reminded Trump at the same time: "This is a democracy." He will not be able to manipulate the news or hide the truth.
The media houses are not the first to be affected by bans. At the beginning of his second term in January 2025, for example, access to the White House was restricted for the news agency Associated Press (AP). Trump had repeatedly asked broadcasters to stop undesirable news or comedy formats in which he or his government were criticized or ridiculed. In addition, he had called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke licenses from broadcasters for critical reports.
The minority leader of the Democrats in the US Senate, Chuck Schumer, wrote on the platform X: "Donald Trump has just done what dictators have done throughout history." He reminded Trump at the same time: "This is a democracy." He will not be able to manipulate the news or hide the truth.
The media houses are not the first to be affected by bans. At the beginning of his second term in January 2025, for example, access to the White House was restricted for the news agency Associated Press (AP). Trump had repeatedly asked broadcasters to stop undesirable news or comedy formats in which he or his government were criticized or ridiculed. In addition, he had called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke licenses from broadcasters for critical reports.
Controversial execution in Alabama
According to media reports, the 49-year-old Jeffery Lee was executed in Alabama on Thursday (local time). Human rights activists protested that the death sentence from 2000 did not comply with current legal regulations. At that time, a judge in Alabama could overturn the jury's recommendation of the defendants. According to media reports, seven of the twelve jurors voted for a life sentence. The judge sentenced Lee to death.
In 2017, Alabama abolished this "judicial override right" as the last US state. However, the reform was not retroactive. About 25 inmates in Alabama were sentenced under the overturned override right.
According to the sentence, Lee had shot two people during a robbery of a pawnshop in 1998. The execution in Atmore, Alabama on Thursday was carried out by injection. Alabama had already wanted to kill Lee in June, then with nitrogen. The Supreme Court, however, stopped this execution method in Alabama at least temporarily. It leads to suffocation.
2017, Alabama abolished this "judicial override right" as the last US state. However, the reform was not retroactive. About 25 inmates in Alabama were sentenced under the overturned override right.
According to the sentence, Lee had shot two people during a robbery of a pawnshop in 1998. The execution in Atmore, Alabama on Thursday was carried out by injection. Alabama had already wanted to kill Lee in June, then with nitrogen. The Supreme Court, however, stopped this execution method in Alabama at least temporarily. It leads to suffocation.
Luzia Geier
US Election Campaign: Republican Legislators criticize Trump
Less than seven weeks before the US parliamentary elections, President Donald Trump receives opposition to his controversial deportation policy from within his own ranks. The Republican legislator María Elvira Salazar from Florida, who is fighting for her return to the House of Representatives, published a video message in which she criticizes Trump: "Mr. President, some of your measures to enforce immigration law have gone too far." US citizens with Latin American roots felt "betrayed" by Trump.
It is rare for Republicans to stand so openly against their president. Trump's poll numbers are currently poor. The US President is pursuing a tough course against migrants and mass deportations in his second term. Raids by federal agencies against migrants are controversial and have caused large protests nationwide. The background of Salazar's criticism of Trump is likely the fear that Republicans might lose the important electorate of Spanish-speaking Americans due to the partly brutal raids. The proportion of Latinos is high in Florida, where Salazar's district is located.
Barbara Klimke
USA allow the Iranian delegation entry to UN debate
According to the US Department of State, Iranian representatives may travel to the UN General Assembly summit in New York amidst the conflict between the two countries. A "core delegation of the Iranian regime" can participate in the "high-level week of the UN General Assembly," said a ministry spokesman.
However, the delegation is subject to certain travel restrictions. According to current US regulations, the purchase of luxury goods is also prohibited: Since 2025, the Iranian UN mission, its members and Iranian government representatives are only allowed to make certain purchases when authorized by the US Department of State when traveling to the UN – such as leather goods, watches, jewelry, shoes, cosmetics, perfumes, or electronics worth more than $1000 each.
The delegation is also smaller than last year, it was reported. The US, according to UN data, is fundamentally obligated as host country of the United Nations to allow delegations access. However, the US government reportedly denied entry permission to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas again this year. The UN General Assembly begins next Tuesday in New York, to which representatives from around 140 countries are expected.
However, the delegation is subject to certain travel restrictions. According to current US regulations, the purchase of luxury goods is also prohibited: Since 2025, the Iranian UN mission, its members and Iranian government representatives are only allowed to make certain purchases when authorized by the US Department of State when traveling to the UN – such as leather goods, watches, jewelry, shoes, cosmetics, perfumes, or electronics worth more than $1000 each.
The delegation is also smaller than last year, it was reported. The US, according to UN data, is fundamentally obligated as host country of the United Nations to allow delegations access. However, the US government reportedly denied entry permission to the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas again this year. In New York begins next Tuesday the UN General Assembly, to which representatives from around 140 countries are expected.
Barbara Klimke
Trump withdraws his candidate for ICE surprisingly
US President Donald Trump has reversed his personal nomination for the leadership of the controversial US agency ICE. The nomination, which was submitted to the Senate, was withdrawn, the White House announced without giving reasons. Trump had originally nominated former police officer Lance Schroyer from Oklahoma for the position.
According to US media, it emerged in the Senate that the personnel process would be long. Now, the leadership of one of the central agencies in Trump's second term remains unfilled for the time being. It is a setback for the President.
In US media, it was reported that Schroyer did not have long-term experience in immigration. It was said that Schroyer was close to the Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, who was formerly a Senator from Oklahoma. Trump had named Schroyer, a former Marine infantryman, as a patriot during his nomination in June. The position became vacant when the resignation of Commissioner Todd Lyons was announced.
The ICE agency has become a symbol of Trump's second term's aggressive immigration policy, which began in January 2025. The agency was responsible for controversial raids against migrants in democratically governed cities. The officials were sometimes disguised. The action caused a large wave of protests in the US.
According to US media, it emerged in the Senate that the personnel process would be long. Now, the leadership of one of the central agencies in Trump's second term remains unfilled for the time being. It is a setback for the President.
In US media, it was reported that Schroyer did not have long-term experience in immigration. It was said that Schroyer was close to the Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, who was formerly a Senator from Oklahoma. Trump had named Schroyer, a former Marine infantryman, as a patriot during his nomination in June. The position became vacant when the resignation of Commissioner Todd Lyons was announced.