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Trump says U.S. Navy intercepted Iranian-flagged tanker as Hormuz tensions escalate

Tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Asghar Besharati)

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

U.S. President Trump announced Sunday that the U.S. Navy intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to maneuver around the naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

Judges slam Trump admin over social media censorship, limits on transgender treatments for kids

People participate in an anti-ICE protest outside of the Governors Residence, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

The Trump administration faces more legal setbacks after judges found the government illegally censored anti-ICE activists online and acted beyond its legal authority in trying to block doctors from delivering certain medical treatments to transgender kids.

People participate in an anti-ICE protest outside of the Governors Residence, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)

Judges slam Trump admin over social media censorship, limits on transgender treatments for kids

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Japanese warship the JS Yahagi, a Mogami-class stealth frigate from Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, is docked in Darwin, Australia, on June 6, 2025. Japan on Saturday signed a deal to sell 11 Japanese-designed stealth frigates to emerging defense partner Australia in a $6.5 billion arms-export deal that is Tokyo's largest ever. (Kyodo News via AP)

Japan to supply Australia with stealth frigates as U.K.-U.S. supply of nuclear subs stutters

By Andrew Salmon - The Washington Times

FBI Director Kash Patel, listens during a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing to examine worldwide threats, Thursday, March 19, 2026, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner) ** FILE **

FBI Director Kash Patel says agency has evidence backing Trump’s 2020 stolen-election claims

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani waves during an address marking his first 100 days in office at the Knockdown Center, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

NYC’s Zohran Mamdani ‘excited’ about AOC’s next move, without endorsing primary challenge of Schumer

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appears before the House Education and Workforce Committee to defend his agency's policies and goals at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Federal judge calls HHS Secretary Kennedy ‘unserious,’ complains of ‘flouting of court orders’

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Happening Now

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani waves during an address marking his first 100 days in office at the Knockdown Center, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

NYC’s Zohran Mamdani ‘excited’ about AOC’s next move, without endorsing primary challenge of Schumer

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appears before the House Education and Workforce Committee to defend his agency's policies and goals at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Federal judge calls HHS Secretary Kennedy ‘unserious,’ complains of ‘flouting of court orders’

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office of the White House, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump approval slides as Americans sour on economy and Iran war, poll finds

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Police tape runs across 79th Street in Shreveport, La., Sunday, April 19, 2026, as police work at the scene of a mass shooting. (Jill Pickett/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

Eight children, including a baby, killed in shooting in Louisiana

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times

Commentary View all

Pope Leo XIV and reality illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Pope Leo XIV’s ‘Denial of Reality’ tour

By Don Feder

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Democrat attacks on Hegseth go deeper than policy disputes

By Robert Knight

Woke left and right's misunderstanding of book of Deuteronomy scripture illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Woke right as clueless about Bible as woke left

By Everett Piper

Illustration on Independence Day by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Amid division and uncertainty, Americans celebrate Independence Day with quiet confidence

By Michael McKenna

Closing loopholes that allow criminals' dirty money in the United States of America's real estate and housing market illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Help keep dirty money out of America’s housing market

By Frank Russo

Culture View all

Wooden pews and stained glass windows in the sanctuary of Canton Lutheran Church in Canton, S.D., on March 31, 2026. (Molly Wetsch/South Dakota News Watch via AP)

Gallup poll finds men under 30 more likely than women to embrace religion, attend church

By Juliet La Sala - The Washington Times

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Natalie Grace in a scene from "Lee Cronin's The Mummy." (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’ is no match for ‘Super Mario’ or ‘Hail Mary’ at the box office

By Lindsey Bahr - Associated Press

Portuguese Catholic priest, Padre Guilherme performs an open-air DJ set at the Plaza de Mayo, honoring the first year anniversary of Pope Francis' passing in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Padre Guilherme hosts rave in Argentina’s capital honoring late Pope Francis

By Debora Rey - Associated Press

A visitor sits among the daffodils in the courtyard of the Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde of Bruges, Belgium, Tuesday March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Belgium’s Beguinages: Tranquil oases in a world of noise and distraction

By Virginia Mayo - Associated Press

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Iraqis stage an anti-U.S. protest in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, May 31, 2024. The recent protests — apparently organised by supporters of Iran-backed, anti-American militias in Iraq — reflect surging anger against the United States, Israel’s top ally, over the war in Gaza. (AP Photo/Anmar Khalil) **FILE**

Treasury sanctions Iran-backed militias in Iraq as part of pressure campaign

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Space Race 2.0 is here. Washington Times National Security Correspondents John T. Seward and Ben Wolfgang are on the ground at Space Symposium 2026 with a look at how military, government, and private industry are converging in the race to dominate space.

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Space Symposium 2020: Where sci-fi meets national security

Hungary has just delivered one of the biggest political upsets Europe has seen in years.

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WATCH: Why Hungary’s election is a nightmare for Moscow and a win for the EU

China's Long March 2F rocket, carrying three astronauts for the Shenzhou 20 manned space mission, heads for a space station, at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwestern China, Thursday, April 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

LISTEN: America vs China — Inside the second space race

Trump Central View all

President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office of the White House, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump approval slides as Americans sour on economy and Iran war, poll finds

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Federal immigration enforcement agents keep watch as they detain a man who took off running as they were walking on North Clark Street near West Superior Street in the River North neighborhood, Sept. 28, 2025, in Chicago. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File)

Judge orders DOJ, DHS to stop censoring anti-ICE social media groups

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

The Federal Trade Commission building is seen, Jan. 28, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Federal Trade Commission shuts down investigation of NewsGuard

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Julie Wise, 48, speaks with Indiana state Sen. Spencer Deery, R-West Lafayette, who represents District 23, as he canvasses a neighborhood, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

Indiana primary will test Trump’s control over Republican Party after redistricting defiance

By Thomas Beaumont - Associated Press

Most Popular

How the White House drew a new battle plan to take on the Washington press corps

FBI Director Kash Patel says agency has evidence backing Trump's 2020 stolen-election claims

Fairfax County School Board eliminates Veterans Day holiday, disappoints once again

Trump says U.S. Navy intercepted Iranian-flagged tanker as Hormuz tensions escalate

Trump approval slides as Americans sour on economy and Iran war, poll finds

Politics View all

People participate in an anti-ICE protest outside of the Governors Residence, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)

Judges slam Trump admin over social media censorship, limits on transgender treatments for kids

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

FBI Director Kash Patel, listens during a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing to examine worldwide threats, Thursday, March 19, 2026, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner) ** FILE **

FBI Director Kash Patel says agency has evidence backing Trump’s 2020 stolen-election claims

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

A customer pays for gasoline at a Mobil gas station, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Miami, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Trump administration pumps brakes on promise of sub-$3 gas, as Iran war drives prices higher

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani waves during an address marking his first 100 days in office at the Knockdown Center, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

NYC’s Zohran Mamdani ‘excited’ about AOC’s next move, without endorsing primary challenge of Schumer

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Dive Deeper View all

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger delivers the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Williamsburg, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, Pool)

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Spanberger approves, amends several Virginia gun control laws

By Kerry Picket - The Washington Times

Rep. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during an address marking New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani first 100 days in office at the Knockdown Center, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Not your father’s Democratic Party: Israel loses its grip on the left

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

The practice court at the University of Maryland's new Barry P. Gossett Basketball Performance Center in College Park, Maryland. The 45,000-square-foot building cost $52 million and took just more than two years to build. (George Gerbo/The Washington Times) ** FILE **

Ethics violations taint UMD student election seeking to oust Epstein-connected regent

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

A group of undocumented migrants is deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents across the McAllen–Hidalgo–Reynosa International Bridge in McAllen, Texas, on Friday, March 13, 2026. Dozens of migrants from countries including Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, China, Guatemala and El Salvador were handed over to Mexican authorities. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez) **FILE**

ICE sets 1 million deportation target for 2026, 2027

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

National View all

Police tape runs across 79th Street in Shreveport, La., Sunday, April 19, 2026, as police work at the scene of a mass shooting. (Jill Pickett/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

Eight children, including a baby, killed in shooting in Louisiana

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times

A Philippine Airlines plane takes off from Los Angeles International Airport in El Segundo, Calif., on Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Iranian woman arrested at LAX on charges of weapons trafficking for Islamic regime

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times

A box of needles collected at a homeless encampment at Ballard Commons Park is shown on May 4, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Homeless encampment pops back up in Seattle park less than a day after being cleared

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Former President Barack Obama, left, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani read a book to children at Learning Through Play Pre-K in New York, on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Obama meets Mamdani in New York City before reading to preschoolers

By Scott Bauer - Associated Press

World View all

Tankers anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Asghar Besharati)

Trump says U.S. Navy intercepted Iranian-flagged tanker as Hormuz tensions escalate

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

A police officer stands guard at a checkpoint on a barricaded road to ensure security ahead of the second round of the U.S. Iran officials talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/M.A. Sheikh)

Iranian officials cast doubt on progress in further talks with U.S. in Pakistan

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

Japanese warship the JS Yahagi, a Mogami-class stealth frigate from Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, is docked in Darwin, Australia, on June 6, 2025. Japan on Saturday signed a deal to sell 11 Japanese-designed stealth frigates to emerging defense partner Australia in a $6.5 billion arms-export deal that is Tokyo's largest ever. (Kyodo News via AP)

Japan to supply Australia with stealth frigates as U.K.-U.S. supply of nuclear subs stutters

By Andrew Salmon - The Washington Times

White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz listens to a question from a reporter in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, Feb. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) **FILE**

U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz says Iran desperate for a deal after Strait of Hormuz reversal

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

Sports View all

Matt Fitzpatrick, of England, right, hugs his wife Katherine Gaal after winning the RBC Heritage golf tournament Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Hilton Head, S.C. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Matt Fitzpatrick delivers playoff winner to beat Scottie Scheffler at RBC Heritage

By Doug Ferguson - Associated Press

Colorado Avalanche right wing Logan O'Connor (25) scores against Los Angeles Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg (31) during the third period of Game 1 in the first round of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo Jack Dempsey)

Avalanche top Kings as Wedgewood is sharp in net, O’Connor scores 1st goal in more than a year

By Pat Graham - Associated Press

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum goes in for a dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball game, Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Jayson Tatum has strong return for Celtics, who rout 76ers in Game 1

By Kyle Hightower - Associated Press

Cleveland Guardians' José Ramírez celebrates as he runs the bases with a solo home run in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Cleveland, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Ramirez hits two homers, Rocchio drives in three as Guardians beat Orioles to win series

By Brian Dulik - Associated Press

Higher Ground View all

Pope Leo XIV arrives in procession to celebrate Mass at Yaounde Ville Airport, Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026 on the sixth day of his 11-day pastoral visit to Africa. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Leo XIV says ‘not in my interest at all’ to debate Trump but will keep preaching peace

By Nicole Winfield - Associated Press

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before departing on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, April 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Trump says he’s ‘all about the Gospel’ amid flap with pope

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Pope Leo XIV arrives in procession to celebrate Mass at the Japoma Stadium, in Douala, Cameroon, Friday, April 17, 2026 on the fifth day of his 11-day pastoral visit to Africa. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Commentary
The pope is wrong on Iran. Here’s why

By Billy Hallowell

A well-wisher places flowers at a makeshift memorial set up for Charlie Kirk at Turning Point USA headquarters, Sept. 11, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

States eulogize Charlie Kirk with new laws promoting religion and free speech

By David A. Lieb - Associated Press

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President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office of the White House, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump approval slides as Americans sour on economy and Iran war, poll finds

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Police tape runs across 79th Street in Shreveport, La., Sunday, April 19, 2026, as police work at the scene of a mass shooting. (Jill Pickett/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

Eight children, including a baby, killed in shooting in Louisiana

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A Philippine Airlines plane takes off from Los Angeles International Airport in El Segundo, Calif., on Friday, April 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Iranian woman arrested at LAX on charges of weapons trafficking for Islamic regime

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In this image from video, personnel on a lift work to secure a skydiver that crashed into the Lane Stadium scoreboard before Virginia Tech’s spring NCAA college football game, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Blacksburg, Va. (Ben Walls/WRIC8 via AP)

Skydiver gets stuck on Virginia Tech scoreboard, delays football team’s exhibition

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Energy Secretary Chris Wright walks to the White House following an interview with CNN, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

Energy Secretary Chris Wright bullish on Iran deal, as Strait of Hormuz shipping fears persist

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

FBI Director Kash Patel, listens during a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing to examine worldwide threats, Thursday, March 19, 2026, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner) ** FILE **

FBI chief Kash Patel threatens to sue liberal magazine, denies drinking, attendance accusations

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., the first Somali-American in Congress, stands with members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus as they announce they will work to limit funding for the Department of Homeland Security in the wake of the death of Renee Good, the woman shot and killed by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Rep. Ilhan Omar cites accounting error in $30 million financial disclosure

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh adjusts his glasses as he talks during an interview with Associated Press at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, in Antalya, southern Turkey, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Riza Ozel)

Iranian official says U.S. ‘maximalist’ demands stall face-to-face talks

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An Iranian cluster munition missile explodes in the sky over northern Israel, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit) ** FILE **

Military intelligence chief: Iran military still has thousands of missiles, attack drones

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

Federal immigration enforcement agents keep watch as they detain a man who took off running as they were walking on North Clark Street near West Superior Street in the River North neighborhood, Sept. 28, 2025, in Chicago. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP, File)

Judge orders DOJ, DHS to stop censoring anti-ICE social media groups

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

A box of needles collected at a homeless encampment at Ballard Commons Park is shown on May 4, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)

Homeless encampment pops back up in Seattle park less than a day after being cleared

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Washington Metro Police vehicle. File photo credit: Nicole S Glass / Shutterstock.com. ** FILE **

D.C. police declare four weekend juvenile curfew zones a day after mayor’s order reauthorizing them

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Pope Leo XIV arrives in procession to celebrate Mass at Yaounde Ville Airport, Cameroon, Saturday, April 18, 2026 on the sixth day of his 11-day pastoral visit to Africa. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Pope Leo XIV says ‘not in my interest at all’ to debate Trump but will keep preaching peace

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A container ship is seen in the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, Saturday, April 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Asghar Besharati)

Iran fully closes Strait of Hormuz over U.S. blockade and fires on ships

By Sam Metz and Samy Magdy - Associated Press

Police tape. (File photo credit: Gorodenkoff via Shutterstock.)

Skeletal remains found in Washington state matched to hiker missing since 2024

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This March 4, 2019, photo shows Fairfax County Public Schools in Merrifield, Va. (AP Photo/Matthew Barakat) **FILE**

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The Federal Trade Commission building is seen, Jan. 28, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Federal Trade Commission shuts down investigation of NewsGuard

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President Donald Trump dances at a Turning Point USA event at Dream City Church, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Trump seeks to rally youth vote for GOP at Turning Point USA event

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Deer crossing sign, in a rural transportation scene. File photo credit: VDB Photos.

Annapolis man arrested after probe in illegal deer hunting uncovers suspected explosives in home

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A well-wisher places flowers at a makeshift memorial set up for Charlie Kirk at Turning Point USA headquarters, Sept. 11, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

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