Axios

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and his House GOP leadership team called on Rep. Tony Gonzales to drop out of his race Thursday after Gonzales admitted to having an affair with a former staffer.

Why it matters: Relationships between members of Congress and their staff are prohibited under the House Code of Official Conduct.

The Commerce Department is moving ahead with draft rules to expand federal oversight of AI chip exports, but President Trump opposes any approach that mirrors former President Biden's restrictions, a senior White House official told Axios.

Why it matters: The draft regulations would give the government sweeping control over AI chip exports abroad as companies like Nvidia and AMD seek to enter more markets.

The Trump administration is reportedly weighing rules that would require foreign buyers to obtain licenses from the U.S. government to buy American AI chips.

Why it matters: The AI chips sector has been flourishing as tech companies ramp up their spending on data centers and new AI models, underpinning the broader market.

The House on Thursday rejected an effort to advance legislation that would restrict President Trump from using further military action in Iran.

Why it matters: The failed vote amounts to an endorsement of Trump's military campaign in Iran from Congress, which has the constitutional authority to declare war.

Republican senators celebrated President Trump's decision to replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).

Why it matters: Congressional Republicans — along with the White House — are eager to turn the page on a department that's dragging down the party's image on immigration, the very issue it rode to victory in 2024.

President Trump on Thursday announced Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) as his pick to take over as Homeland Security Secretary, replacing Kristi Noem, who has been given a new position.

The big picture: Rather than outright firing top appointees, Trump has opted in his second term to shuffle them into new roles — a contrast with the record number of firings in his first administration.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans advanced a kids' online safety package with guardrails for AI chatbots at a markup Thursday after bipartisan negotiations broke down.

The big picture: House Republicans moved legislation that Democrats say misses the mark on protecting kids online and doesn't align with bipartisan Senate-passed proposals.

Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) filed articles of impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Why it matters: The effort is an extreme long shot, but it shows where Democrats are turning their attention now that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is out.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is leaving the department and he will nominate Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) as her replacement, President Trump said Thursday.

Why it matters: Noem's exit leaves Trump's mass deportation agenda without its most prominent face amid a public backlash.

Top House and Senate Democrats said Thursday that Kristi Noem's departure as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security will not be enough for them to support funding for the agency.

Why it matters: DHS has been shut down for nearly three weeks, with the White House and congressional Democrats offering little indication that they are close to a deal.