House Republicans on Wednesday released their proposed rules package for the 119th Congress, which includes several notable changes to the rules that governed the lower chamber for the last two years.
Why it matters: The most crucial alteration raises the threshold to introduce a motion to vacate — a measure to force a vote on ousting the House speaker.
Federal, state and local authorities condemned the vehicular attack on a New Year's crowd at the famed French Quarter corner of Canal and Bourbon streets early Wednesday that killed at least 15 people and injured some 35 others.
The latest: The FBI is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism. Per the agency, the suspect died after exchanging gunfire with police.
Detractors and skeptics of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) appear to be only digging in ahead of the House speaker election on Jan. 3.
Why it matters: House GOP hardliners' continued hesitance to coalesce around Johnson suggests that President-elect Trump's endorsement of the incumbent speaker has had little effect so far.
Emergency officials respond to a vehicle attack on Bourbon and Canal streets early Wednesday. The scene is viewed from Canal Street, with Bourbon Street continuing at right. Photo: Matthew Hinton/ AFP via Getty Images
At least 10 people are dead and dozens more injured after a man drove a pickup truck into a large crowd on New Orleans' Bourbon and Canal streets early New Year's Day, officials said.
The latest: The suspect died after engaging with police, the FBI said Wednesday. The bureau, which is now taking the lead, is investigating the incident as an act of terrorism.
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts warned Tuesday of "illegitimate activity" that he said threatened the independence of judges.
The big picture: Roberts outlined in his annual year-end report areas of concern including violence, intimidation, disinformation and "threats to defy lawfully entered judgments."
C-SPAN cameras will once again be allowed to roll from inside the House chamber when lawmakers return in January to elect a speaker and certify the 2024 presidential election.
Several photographers spoke with Axios to reflect on a year full of stunning photos.
Why it matters: News photographers capture key moments and emotions that enhance the storytelling and provide insight into the larger context of an event.
A Pentagon appeals court on Monday ruled that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin overstepped when he revoked a plea deal that prosecutors reached with 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
Why it matters: After months of back and forth over the plea agreement, the ruling puts the proceedings back on track for a potential guilty plea hearing next week, the New York Times reported.
U.S. immigration courts are on pace to decide record numbers of deportation cases— and order the most removals in five years — under President Biden's push to fast-track asylum decisions.
Why it matters: The increases in the first two months of fiscal 2025, if they continue, will help reduce a backlog of 3.7 million immigration cases that could take four years to resolve.
This year's epic, relentless news cycles were driven by months of near-unprecedented political violence and uncertainty — plus the Olympics, according to Axios' annual analysis of Google Trends data.
Why it matters: Even in a wild election year, America's short attention span for news led to dramatic ups and downs in search trends as the media pivoted from one major story to the next.
Hackers connected to China's government successfully breached several Treasury Department workstations and accessed unclassified documents, according to a letter to Congress on Monday.
Why it matters: The U.S. government is already scrambling to respond to an ongoing China-backed hack of American telecom networks that targeted several high-profile officials.
The U.S. is sending Ukraine $5.9 billion in military aid and budget support, the Biden administration announced on Monday.
Why it matters: It's part of President Biden's pledge for a "surge" in aid for Kyiv before he's succeeded by President-elect Trump, who's criticized the U.S. givingUkraine military assistance.
A South Korean court approved an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk-Yeol on Tuesday morning local time, Yonhap News Agency first reported.
Why it matters: The warrant related to Yoon's brief martial law declaration this month that sparked widespread protests and shocked allies would mark the first time one has been issued for an incumbent president in South Korea, per local media.
A state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter will take place on Jan. 9 at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., the White House announced.
The big picture: President Biden has called for a national day of mourning that same day for his longtime "dear friend," who died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday at age 100, per a White House statement.
