Trump’s handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts center

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s handpicked board has voted to rename Washington’s leading performing arts center as the Trump-Kennedy Center. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the vote on social media Thursday, saying it’s because of the “unbelievable work” Trump has done over the last year in saving the building. Leavitt says that’s not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction “but also financially, and its reputation.” The Republican Trump is chairman of the board and often refers to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the “Trump Kennedy Center.” The center is named for his Democratic predecessor. A name change won’t sit well with some Kennedy family members.

Trump administration moves to cut off transgender care for children

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials are proposing new restrictions that would effective ban gender-affirming care for minors. The announcement from Department of Health and Human Services is the latest step by the Trump administration cracking down on transgender Americans. The sweeping proposals include cutting off federal Medicaid and Medicare funding from hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to children. The HHS Office of Civil Rights will also propose a rule excluding gender dysphoria from the definition of a disability. The proposals are not final or legally binding. They must go through a lengthy rulemaking process and are likely to face legal challenges. They also contradict the recommendations of major medical groups including the American Medical Association.

House Democrats release more photos from Epstein’s estate

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats have released several dozen more photos from the estate of the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. They show his associations with the rich and famous. The Department of Justice faces a deadline to release many of its case files on the late financier by the end of the week. The photos released were among more than 95,000 that the House Oversight Committee has received after issuing a subpoena for the photos that Epstein had in his possession before he died in a New York jail cell in 2019. Anticipation about what those files will show is running high after they have been the subject of conspiracy theories and speculation about his friendships with President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton, the former Prince Andrew, and others.

Trump signs executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Trump has signed an executive order that could reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug. This move could ease regulations and expand medical research by shifting marijuana from a Schedule I drug, like heroin, to a Schedule III substance, similar to ketamine. This change won’t legalize recreational use nationwide but may alter regulation and taxation. President Joe Biden’s Justice Department had also proposed reclassifying marijuana, but Trump’s order on Thursday could speed up the process,. Some Republicans oppose the change, arguing marijuana remains dangerous.