Chris Megerian.

President Donald Trump and Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa speak in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump hosts Persian Gulf leaders at White House as new violence raises questions about peace efforts

President Donald Trump has hosted Bahrain’s crown prince and Qatar’s prime minister at the White House. The meetings focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with the Persian Gulf region. Bahrain highlighted $17 billion in U.S. investments, including deals in aviation and technology. Meanwhile, violence between Israel and Syria escalated on Wednesday, with Israeli strikes in Damascus following clashes in southern Syria. A ceasefire was announced but remains uncertain. Despite ongoing conflicts, Trump emphasized the economic potential of Gulf partnerships over resolving regional tensions.

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President Donald Trump speaks during an "Invest in America" roundtable with business leaders at the White House, Monday, June 9, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump heads to Fort Bragg while facing criticism for deploying military at Los Angeles protests

President Donald Trump plans to speak at Fort Bragg to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. His trip to the North Carolina base comes as he faces criticism over deploying the National Guard and now U.S. Marines in an attempt to quell immigration protests in Los Angeles. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will also be at Tuesday’s event, along with service members, veterans and their families. Trump has promoted the Army’s anniversary as a reason to hold a military parade in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, which is also his 79th birthday.

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President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Elon Musk in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump and Musk break up, and Washington holds its breath

Insiders have speculated about a potential falling-out between Donald Trump and Elon Musk for months. It never seemed to happen — until Thursday. The world’s most powerful man and its wealthiest began attacking each other in a spectacle that left Washington breathless. The feud began with Musk’s criticism of Trump’s legislative agenda, which would increase the deficit while eliminating tax incentives that have helped his electric automaker Tesla. Trump responded by threatening to cut government subsidies and contracts for Musk’s companies, and things only escalated from there.

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FILE — Former Rep. Michael Grimm arrives to his polling site in the Staten Island borough of New York, June 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

Trump pardons former NY Rep. Michael Grimm after tax fraud conviction

President Donald Trump has pardoned former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm, a New York Republican who resigned from Congress after a tax fraud conviction. The pardon was disclosed Wednesday by a White House official who requested anonymity before an official announcement. Grimm, a former Marine and FBI agent, pleaded guilty in late 2014 to underreporting wages and revenue at a restaurant he ran in Manhattan. He resigned from Congress the following year and served eight months in prison. Grimm tried to reenter politics in 2018 but lost a primary for his old district.

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