Washington Times - Politics, Breaking News, US and World News

U.S., Iran swap new peace offers as Trump calls off planned military strikes

A woman walks past an anti-Israel mural in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, May 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

By Vaughn Cockayne and Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

President Trump on Monday called off imminent military strikes on Iran, citing requests from Middle East allies and the prospects for a deal that finally meets U.S. demands to end the war.

DOJ announces $1.776 billion fund to pay victims of Biden ‘weaponization’

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One, Friday, May 15, 2026, as he returns from a trip to Beijing, China. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

The Justice Department announced a $1.776 billion pool of money it said it will use to pay people who say they have been victimized by the Biden administration’s “weaponization” of government against them. Analysts said the payouts could benefit various recipients, including Jan. 6 defendants and members of President Trump’s inner circle.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One, Friday, May 15, 2026, as he returns from a trip to Beijing, China. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

DOJ announces $1.776 billion fund to pay victims of Biden ‘weaponization’

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and U.S. President Donald Trump meet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (Kenny Holston/Pool Photo via AP) **FILE**

Video

Trump upends long-standing U.S. defense policy on Taiwan

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen attends a press conference near the Vaalimaa border checkpoint between Finland and Russia in Virolahti, Finland, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. As the war in Ukraine takes a turn in Russia’s favor, borders are being bolstered in the front-line Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as in Finland and Poland. (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva via AP)

Finland points to Arctic as Trump questions value of NATO

By John T. Seward - The Washington Times

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping greet each other in Tianjin, China, on Aug. 31, 2025. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

Putin visits China to reaffirm Russia ties as Xi also seeks stable U.S. relations after Trump summit

By E. Eduardo Castillo - Associated Press

Elderly man uses phone on sofa in home. File photo credit: Jelena Stanojkovic via Shutterstock.

‘More real than real’: Why deep-fake political ads are fooling older Americans

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Happening Now

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping greet each other in Tianjin, China, on Aug. 31, 2025. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

Putin visits China to reaffirm Russia ties as Xi also seeks stable U.S. relations after Trump summit

By E. Eduardo Castillo - Associated Press

Elderly man uses phone on sofa in home. File photo credit: Jelena Stanojkovic via Shutterstock.

‘More real than real’: Why deep-fake political ads are fooling older Americans

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

A document that was included in the U.S. Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, photographed Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, shows a photo of Epstein on a inmate report from the Federal Bureau of Prisons . (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

Former New York prison guard tells House lawmakers Epstein’s death was a suicide

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., flanked by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., left, and Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., speaks to reporters following a closed-door party meeting, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate GOP leader declines to endorse in Louisiana runoff after Cassidy’s loss

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

Commentary View all

FILE - Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., speaks during an event, March 20, 2025, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

A lesson in economics for socialist AOC

By Cal Thomas

Republicans being team players for President Donald Trump illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Republican voters want team players

By Kelly Sadler

Paying taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Wealth tax or stealth tax?

By Chuck Flint

Dorothea and Billy Ohlandt, from North Carolina, arrive at Rededicate 250, a mostly conservative Christian prayer gathering in honor of the United States' 250th anniversary, on the National Mall, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

On our 250th, opposition mounts to celebrating our faith

By Editorial Board

Congress, pharmaceutical drug price controls and medical innovation illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Don’t follow us into ‘most-favored-nation’ drug pricing

By Barbara Kolm

Culture View all

Elderly man uses phone on sofa in home. File photo credit: Jelena Stanojkovic via Shutterstock.

‘More real than real’: Why deep-fake political ads are fooling older Americans

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

This image released by NBC shows Colin Jost on "Saturday Night Live" in New York on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (Will Heath/NBC via AP)

Postseason analysis: ‘Saturday Night Live’ more liberal than ever

By Kerry Picket - The Washington Times

Elon Musk arrives at the U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Federal jury sides with OpenAI in feud with Elon Musk

By Barbara Ortutay - Associated Press

HGTV stars Joanna Gaines, left, and Chip Gaines, pose in the press room on night one of the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sept. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) **FILE**

Joanna Gaines embraces ‘staycations’ and being a ‘homebody’ in summer issue of Magnolia Journal

By Juliet La Sala - The Washington Times

View all

Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and U.S. President Donald Trump meet at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (Kenny Holston/Pool Photo via AP) **FILE**

Video

Trump upends long-standing U.S. defense policy on Taiwan

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

A woman walks past an anti-Israel mural in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, May 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

U.S., Iran swap new peace offers as Trump calls off planned military strikes

By Vaughn Cockayne and Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen attends a press conference near the Vaalimaa border checkpoint between Finland and Russia in Virolahti, Finland, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. As the war in Ukraine takes a turn in Russia’s favor, borders are being bolstered in the front-line Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as in Finland and Poland. (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva via AP)

Finland points to Arctic as Trump questions value of NATO

By John T. Seward - The Washington Times

United States Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby waits for the start of a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) ** FILE **

Pentagon pauses 86-year-old U.S.-Canada defense board over Canada’s defense spending

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

Trump Central View all

President Donald Trump with his wife first lady Melanie Trump, as well as his sons Barron Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, left, and daughter Tiffany Trump, right, after taking the oath of office during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Shawn Thew/Pool photo via AP)

Trump family members, Jan. 6 defendants could pocket payouts from new ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump listens during an event about prescription drug prices in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Monday, May 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump announces expansion of TrumpRx to include generic medicines

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump gestures to reporters as he walks across the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, May 15, 2026, in Washington, on return from Beijing where he met with China's President Xi Jinping. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump planning to build helipad at White House

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One, Friday, May 15, 2026, as he returns from a trip to Beijing, China. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Trump’s approval rating falls to lowest in NYT-Siena poll, hurt by cost of living and Iran war

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Politics View all

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., speaks as Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appears before the Senate Finance Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) **FILE**

Ousted senator has no regrets about voting to convict Trump

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One, Friday, May 15, 2026, as he returns from a trip to Beijing, China. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

DOJ announces $1.776 billion fund to pay victims of Biden ‘weaponization’

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies at a House Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing for the Department of Defense, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Hegseth hits trail against Massie, says Kentucky race a choice between ‘warrior,’ ‘obstructionist’

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Elderly man uses phone on sofa in home. File photo credit: Jelena Stanojkovic via Shutterstock.

‘More real than real’: Why deep-fake political ads are fooling older Americans

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Dive Deeper View all

FILE - An ANA jet flies above a gas station in Inglewood, Calif., on May 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Video

Republicans pivot to emergency gas tax holiday, affordability agenda as soaring prices anger voters

By Susan Ferrechio and Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Thoroughbred colts compete in high-stakes races on Friday, March 15 during Black-Eyed Susan Day, the preliminary to Saturday's Preakness Stakes. This year's race was moved to Laurel, Maryland, due to renovations at Pimlico Race Course. (Sean Salai/The Washington Times)

Preakness racegoers bid a wistful farewell to historic Laurel Park

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

A child waves to a robot dessert booth at Caesars Palace, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. Chef-like robots and barista bots caused a stir at the annual CES technology trade show in Las Vegas, putting a spotlight on casino union workers' fears that jobs could be at risk in the age of artificial intelligence. (AP Photo/ Ty ONeil) **FILE**

Is a bot coming for your job? Employers expand AI tools from resume-sorting to layoffs

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

Jockeys race horses during Laurel Park's Preakness Meet, Friday, May 8, 2026, in Laurel, Md. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Preakness in Laurel conjures memories of suburban Maryland’s equestrian past

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

National View all

In this Nov. 1, 2020, photo, envelopes containing ballots are shown at a San Francisco Department of Elections at a voting center in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) **FILE**

Voter scam: Woman paid homeless to register to vote, sign to get petitions on ballot in California

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

People stand behind police tape at the scene of a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

3 men have been killed at a San Diego mosque and both suspects are dead, police say

By Julie Watson - Associated Press

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen Friday, May 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Supreme Court to weigh teachers’ ability to sue over sex discrimination

By Alex Swoyer - The Washington Times

Former Richneck Elementary School Assistant Principal Ebony Parker looks back into the courtroom during Abby Zwerner's lawsuit against her on Oct. 28, 2025, in Newport News, Va. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot via AP, Pool, File)

Trial begins for ex-school administrator over role in 6-year-old’s shooting of Virginia teacher

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times

World View all

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping greet each other in Tianjin, China, on Aug. 31, 2025. (Sergei Bobylev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

Putin visits China to reaffirm Russia ties as Xi also seeks stable U.S. relations after Trump summit

By E. Eduardo Castillo - Associated Press

A woman holds up pictures of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, left, and his father, the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a state-organised rally celebrating the birthday of Imam Reza, the 8th Shiite Muslims' Imam, and supporting the supreme leader, in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran downplays Khamenei’s injuries, says leader suffered minor wounds

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

The Asian Katra cargo ship, top left, arrives in Havana Bay in Havana, Cuba, Monday, May 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Humanitarian aid ship from Mexico docks in Havana as U.S.-Cuba tensions escalate

By Ariel Fernandez and Andrea Rodriguez - Associated Press

The sun shines down on Ushuaia, Argentina, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Joel Reyero)

Argentina’s windy outpost at the end of the world fears the hantavirus will chill tourism

By Isabel Debre - Associated Press

Sports View all

Aaron Rai, of England, celebrates after his shot on the 17th green during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Newtown Square, PA. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Rai leans on humble roots and hard work to become a major champion

By Doug Ferguson - Associated Press

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates as he walks off the court during the fourth quarter of Game 7 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Detroit Pistons, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

Knicks, Cavaliers open East finals back where season began

By Brian Mahoney - Associated Press

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore, right, celebrates his goal with center Tomas Hertl, left, during the first period in Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

NHL Round 3 shapes up as clash of heavyweights vying for Stanley Cup

By Stephen Whyno - Associated Press

Jake Lang demonstrates outside Gracie Mansion after a news conference by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani , Monday, March 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Washington Nationals ban fan who deployed ‘Save America’ banner during game

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Higher Ground View all

A person prays during Rededicate 250, a mostly conservative Christian prayer gathering in honor of the United States' 250th anniversary, on the National Mall, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Thousands flock to the National Mall in Washington for an America-themed prayer rally

By Tiffany Stanley - Associated Press

Sen Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla, appears at a campaign event in support of Republican president nominee former President Donad Trump, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in Red Springs, N.C. (AP Photo/David Yeazell)

Mullin says ‘American History X’ scared him straight before faith changed his life

By Alex Swoyer - The Washington Times

The Constitution of the United States is printed in Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump's "God Bless the USA" Bible in Washington, Oct. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

Video
WATCH: Surprise, surprise: God is actually ‘very partisan’

By Cheryl K. Chumley - The Washington Times

Texas hospital agrees to open first-ever ‘detransition clinic’ for children who regret gender change

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Podcasts View all

Victory Over Communism

U.S. and China locked in a fierce battle over AI

Victory over Communism with Bill Gertz

Threat Status Podcast

LISTEN: Has the Iran war been worth it?

Rep. Gabe Evans joins Threat Status

Politically Unstable

WATCH: Labubu dolls and the Uyghur genocide

Rushan Abbas joins Politically Unstable

Front Page Podcast

Get today’s top stories in under five minutes

Listen to the Front Page Podcast

Sponsored Content View all

From the Special Sections Department

American energy unleashed

American energy unleashed

From the Special Sections Department

Pathways to American progress: The next phase of U.S. infrastructure

Pathways to American progress: The next phase of U.S. infrastructure

From the Special Sections Department

Building the health care Americans deserve

Building the health care Americans deserve

From the Special Sections Department

Revitalizing Rural America

Revitalizing Rural America

More Stories

A document that was included in the U.S. Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, photographed Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, shows a photo of Epstein on a inmate report from the Federal Bureau of Prisons . (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

Former New York prison guard tells House lawmakers Epstein’s death was a suicide

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., flanked by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., left, and Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., speaks to reporters following a closed-door party meeting, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, April 21, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate GOP leader declines to endorse in Louisiana runoff after Cassidy’s loss

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies at a House Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing for the Department of Defense, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Hegseth hits trail against Massie, says Kentucky race a choice between ‘warrior,’ ‘obstructionist’

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump listens during an event about prescription drug prices in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Monday, May 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump announces expansion of TrumpRx to include generic medicines

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen attends a press conference near the Vaalimaa border checkpoint between Finland and Russia in Virolahti, Finland, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. As the war in Ukraine takes a turn in Russia’s favor, borders are being bolstered in the front-line Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, as well as in Finland and Poland. (Jussi Nukari/Lehtikuva via AP)

Finland points to Arctic as Trump questions value of NATO

By John T. Seward - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump with his wife first lady Melanie Trump, as well as his sons Barron Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, left, and daughter Tiffany Trump, right, after taking the oath of office during the 60th Presidential Inauguration in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Shawn Thew/Pool photo via AP)

Trump family members, Jan. 6 defendants could pocket payouts from new ‘Anti-Weaponization Fund’

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., speaks as Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appears before the Senate Finance Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) **FILE**

Ousted senator has no regrets about voting to convict Trump

By Lindsey McPherson - The Washington Times

People stand behind police tape at the scene of a shooting outside the Islamic Center of San Diego Monday, May 18, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

3 men have been killed at a San Diego mosque and both suspects are dead, police say

By Julie Watson - Associated Press

A woman holds up pictures of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, left, and his father, the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a state-organised rally celebrating the birthday of Imam Reza, the 8th Shiite Muslims' Imam, and supporting the supreme leader, in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, April 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran downplays Khamenei’s injuries, says leader suffered minor wounds

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

The U.S. Supreme Court is seen Friday, May 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

Supreme Court to weigh teachers’ ability to sue over sex discrimination

By Alex Swoyer - The Washington Times

A large "Welcome to Mexico" sign hung over the Bridge of the Americas is visible as President Joe Biden talks with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers as he tours the El Paso port of entry, a busy port of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, in El Paso Texas, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

ICE relied on ‘honor system’ to track illegal immigrants from Biden’s catch-and-release

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One, Friday, May 15, 2026, as he returns from a trip to Beijing, China. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Oil touches $110 per barrel as Trump warns Iran to hurry up on peace talks

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

In this Nov. 1, 2020, photo, envelopes containing ballots are shown at a San Francisco Department of Elections at a voting center in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) **FILE**

Voter scam: Woman paid homeless to register to vote, sign to get petitions on ballot in California

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Cargo ships are seen at sea in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, as viewed from a rocky shoreline near Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Friday, May 1, 2026.(AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Iran working with Oman to design a mechanism for controlling traffic through Strait of Hormuz

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

Elon Musk arrives at the U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Federal jury sides with OpenAI in feud with Elon Musk

By Barbara Ortutay - Associated Press

Kimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. Ambassador to Greece, attends the Atlantic Council conference in Athens, Greece, on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) **FILE**

Kimberly Guilfoyle riles Greeks with her cheerleading for McDonald’s

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

United States Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby waits for the start of a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert) ** FILE **

Pentagon pauses 86-year-old U.S.-Canada defense board over Canada’s defense spending

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

Luigi Mangione appears in Manhattan Criminal Court, Dec. 23, 2024, in New York. (Curtis Means/Pool Photo via AP, file)

Video
Judge allows gun and notebook as evidence at Mangione’s trial in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killing

By Michael R. Sisak - Associated Press

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY, speaks to reporters after a Kentucky Educational Television (KET) debate, Monday, May 4, 2026, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/Jon Cherry)

Massie fights for political life in final push for votes in Kentucky’s GOP primary

By Kerry Picket - The Washington Times

A person prays during Rededicate 250, a mostly conservative Christian prayer gathering in honor of the United States' 250th anniversary, on the National Mall, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Thousands flock to the National Mall in Washington for an America-themed prayer rally

By Tiffany Stanley - Associated Press