Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Roundup: Shutdown struggles; Nationalizing Elections & the 2020 Election investigations in Georgia; IRS suit & AI for Crypto; Kennedy Center Closed

Facing Immigration Backlash, Trump Called Schumer to Cut a Deal - The New York Times

The president and the top Senate Democrat, who are often at each other’s throats, agreed to try to keep the government open and to start talks on new limits on federal immigration agents.

Trump, in an Escalation, Calls for Republicans to ‘Nationalize’ Elections - The New York Times

The comments, made on a conservative podcast, follow a string of moves from his administration to try to exert more control over American elections.

Gabbard Arranges Trump Call With FBI Agents After Georgia Election Center Search - The New York Times

Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, brokered the call and President Trump directly questioned frontline agents on the inquiry, The Times has learned.

 Trump’s Lawsuit Against I.R.S. Creates ‘Enormous Conflict of Interest’ - The New York Times

The president is demanding that the federal government pay him at least $10 billion over the unauthorized disclosure of his tax returns during his first term.

U.A.E. Firm Quietly Took Stake in the Trump Family’s Crypto Company - The New York Times

The $500 million agreement raises new concerns about the propriety of the president negotiating foreign policy with his own business partners.

Trump Is Said to Have Dropped Demand for $200 Million Cash From Harvard...Now, He Wants $1 Billion - The New York Times

Hours after The Times reported that President Trump had lowered the bar for a deal, he denied backtracking and made new threats against Harvard.

Trump’s Kennedy Center Shutdown Plan Jolts Workers and Performers - The New York Times

The administration’s announcement to shut the center for a major overhaul led to a swirl of confusion and anxiety among performers and patrons about its future.