Mullin survives bruising hearing with Dem help, inches one step closer to becoming next DHS chief

A Senate Democrat proved the decisive vote to advance Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to the next round of his confirmation journey after an explosive hearing. That’s because Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, vowed not to support Mullin, whom he contended was “unfit” for the role. Mullin … Read more

Independent autism committee that challenges RFK Jr’s overhaul draws criticism

Kennedy’s appointees promoted ‘treatments’ like bleach enemas, but new committee has only one autistic member The first public meeting of US autism advisers – notably, since Robert F Kennedy Jr reshaped the committee – was cancelled recently with few details, coinciding with the creation of a rival organization that has prompted some questions within the … Read more

Senators Clash With Trump’s Nominee to Lead Homeland Security

Oklahoma’s Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, faced questions from lawmakers on Capitol Hill at a heated confirmation hearing. Mullin, a former pro MMA fighter with a multimillion-dollar family plumbing business, repeatedly distanced himself from fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure. NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell reports … Read more

First Thing: Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ all of Iran’s South Pars gasfield if Tehran strikes Qatar

The move would be a major escalation in the US-Israel war against Iran. Plus, FBI director admits to buying data tracking Americans’ locations Good morning. Donald Trump threatened to “massively blow up” the world’s largest gasfield after Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars field led Tehran to take revenge on energy facilities across the Middle … Read more

Why are UFC fighters training the FBI? | Dave Schilling

The two-and-a-half centuries of American life have all been building to this, the natural evolution of our culture I’m a regular guy, just like you. I promise. There’s no one more normal than someone who publicly declares they’re normal. Here’s me, the average, everyday Joe, who can’t get enough of people beating the crap out … Read more

Long Lines Worsen at US Airports as More TSA Agent Call Out

With the spring break travel rush in full swing, long TSA lines and extended wait times are continuing to form at airports across the United States. An increasing number of unpaid TSA officers are calling out of work with the partial government shutdown in its fifth week. NBC’s Tom Costello reports for TODAY.

Trump thinks brute force will arrest the US’s decline. His heavy-handed actions in Iran are only accelerating it | Owen Jones

From Venezuela to the Middle East, this is gangsterism fused with colonialism. It repudiates the moral language through which US power once justified itself Gone are any pretences about saving the Iranian people. “They really are a nation of terror and hate,” Donald Trump says of Iran. Asked if he would like to help its … Read more