Today's Essential Political News: 4‑Minute Read
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Friday, April 3, 2026 · 8:00 a.m. ET
Federal Level
Trump Fires Attorney General Pam Bondi, Names Todd Blanche as Interim
President Trump dismissed Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday, ending her turbulent tenure atop the Justice Department. Sources told multiple outlets that Trump grew frustrated with Bondi’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and her inability to advance prosecutions against several of his political rivals. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former personal defense attorney, will serve as acting Attorney General. It remains unclear whether Blanche will be nominated permanently. Bondi had been scheduled for a deposition before the House Oversight Committee on April 14 regarding the Epstein investigation.1,2,3
DOJ Declares Presidential Records Act Unconstitutional
The Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel released an opinion Thursday declaring that the Presidential Records Act, which requires presidents to hand over official documents to the National Archives upon leaving office, is unconstitutional. The opinion could allow President Trump to retain official records when his second term ends. A future administration could reverse the finding, but if it stands, Trump could cite it as legal cover to keep his records.4
DHS Shutdown: House Shelves Vote as Trump Orders Employee Pay
The record-long partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security took a new turn Thursday when President Trump announced he would sign an executive order to pay all DHS employees working without compensation. The move prompted House Speaker Mike Johnson to tell Republican lawmakers that returning early from Easter recess is no longer necessary. The House had been expected to take up the Senate-passed funding bill, but that effort has now stalled. Congress remains on recess until April 13, and no vote is currently scheduled.5,6
Planning Commission Approves Trump’s White House Ballroom
The National Capital Planning Commission voted Thursday to approve President Trump’s proposed ballroom addition to the White House, despite thousands of public comments that were overwhelmingly negative. The approval came hours after a federal judge ruled that Trump must obtain Congressional consent before construction can proceed. Will Scharf, the commission chair and White House staff secretary, said the court ruling would not affect the commission’s plans to move forward with the project.7
Trump Previews 2027 Budget as Analysts Dispute Surplus Claims
The White House is preparing to release President Trump’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027, which begins October 1. While specifics have not been made public, Trump has signaled further cuts to domestic agencies and an expanded crackdown on what he describes as widespread fraud in federal programs. During a cabinet meeting last week, the president suggested his initiatives could eventually produce a budget surplus. Budget analysts from both parties have strongly disputed that claim.8
State Level
Maine Governor Reverses Position, Backs Millionaire Tax Amid Senate Primary
Maine Governor Janet Mills announced Thursday that she now supports a millionaire tax, reversing her longstanding opposition. Mills vetoed a similar increase in 2024 and as recently as a few weeks ago called such a proposal short-sighted. The reversal comes as Mills has lagged in recent polling for the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. The tax is included in a budget proposal that passed a committee in the Democrat-controlled Maine legislature.9
Washington Governor Signs Budget Shaped by Federal Policy Shifts
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed the state’s new budget on Thursday, with most of the new spending directed at rising demand for public services and the cost of complying with major federal changes to Medicaid and food stamps. The budget also addresses growing state lawsuit payouts for government misconduct. The signing comes as states across the country work to absorb the financial impact of federal policy shifts under the Trump administration.10
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Article Sources
1. ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics
2. The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/04/02/us/trump-news
3. The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/04/02/trump-fires-bondi-doj/
4. The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/02/us/politics/justice-department-trump-presidential-records.html
5. The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/04/02/us/trump-news
6. Bloomberg, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-02/trump-to-pay-dhs-workers-prompting-house-to-stay-on-recess
7. The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/02/us/politics/trump-ballroom-commission-vote.html
8. The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/02/business/economy/trump-budget-spending.html
9. Bloomberg, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-02/maine-governor-backs-millionaire-tax-flipping-from-prior-stance
10. Washington State House Democrats, https://housedemocrats.wa.gov/blog/2026/04/02/thursday-april-2-3