South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Thursday called a special session for state lawmakers to address redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. “I have issued an Executive Order calling the General Assembly back for an extra legislative session to address the state budget and congressional districts beginning Friday, May 15, at 11:00 AM,” McMaster said. I have issued an Executive Order calling the General Assembly back for an extra legislative session to address the state budget and congressional districts beginning Friday, May 15, at 11:00 AM. — Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) May 14, 2026 NBC News shared further: McMaster initially chose not to set a special session, but he changed course after the Republican-led state Senate rejected a measure this week to extend its current session to take up a redrawn map, despite pressure from President Donald Trump. South Carolina is one of a spate of Southern states rushing to redraw their maps to create more Republican-leaning seats after the U.S. Supreme Court gutted Voting Rights Act protections against racial gerrymandering in a major ruling last month. Since then, Tennessee has enacted a new map that carves up the state’s lone majority-Black district, represented by Rep. Steve Cohen. The Supreme Court cleared the way for Alabama to implement a map with one less majority-minority district than it has now. And Thursday, the Louisiana Senate passed a map that targets one of the state’s two Democratic-held seats. South Carolina’s congressional delegation consists of 6 Republicans and 1 Democrat in the House of Representatives. Rep. Jim Clyburn is the lone Democrat. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to announce a special session on redistricting, teeing up the state legislature to pass a Republican gerrymander. It would almost certainly cost Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn his seat in the midterms.https://t.co/fpfvoT1uhy — POLITICO (@politico) May 13, 2026 More from The New York Times: If Mr. McMaster calls the special session, lawmakers would face a time crunch. South Carolina’s primaries are on June 9, but early voting begins in two weeks, so Republicans would have to pass new maps before May 26. The South Carolina House has proposed moving the congressional primaries to August to accommodate new maps. There are also legal hurdles to consider. Hundreds of overseas voters have already cast ballots, which could prompt lawsuits if their votes are discarded to account for a change of date in congressional elections. It is still unclear if new maps would pass in a special session, although Republicans control the legislature and would need only a simple majority to approve them. Davey Hiott, the Republican leader of the South Carolina House, told reporters that his chamber was ready to get things rolling on Friday morning and vote on a map as quickly as possible, ideally next week. Shane Massey, the Republican leader of the State Senate, who drew national attention for his impassioned speech against redistricting, was much more apprehensive about moving fast. He said public input was important and continued to voice opposition to the redistricting effort.

President Donald Trump’s high-profile visit to Beijing produced a tense security confrontation that played out mostly behind the scenes but spilled into public view on Thursday when reporters confirmed a physical standoff between U.S. Secret Service agents and Chinese security officials at the Temple of Heaven. The dispute centered on a single, non-negotiable point: Chinese officials refused to allow an armed Secret Service agent accompanying the White House press pool to enter the historic compound with his weapon. What followed, according to multiple reporters traveling with the president, was an intense argument that delayed the pool’s entry by roughly 30 minutes. Fox News senior White House correspondent Peter Doocy described the clash on air, and video of his report quickly went viral.

Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL) has gone ‘missing’ in the House of Representatives for weeks without an explanation. Wilson, who reportedly told allies in her district that she intends to seek re-election, has not voted in the House since April 17. She has missed 43 consecutive votes as of Wednesday, Forbes noted. 83-year-old Rep. Frederica Wilson eyes reelection despite Hill absence https://t.co/3EdxiT4JE7 — Axios (@axios) May 14, 2026 Axios has more: There had been rumors that the 83-year-old from Miami was considering retirement as she convalesced following what sources described as major eye surgery. But Florida state Sen. Shevrin Jones, who is from Wilson’s district, told Axios she confirmed her plans to seek another term during a phone call the two had on Thursday afternoon. “What she just told me is that she’s running for reelection … she’s not retiring,” Jones said. Known for her bedazzled outfits and matching cowboy hats, Wilson is a legendary figure in Miami, which, since 1998, she has represented in the Florida House, Florida Senate and then Congress. She held a fundraiser in Miami on Monday, with one source telling Axios: “The woman I saw on Monday didn’t look like she was retiring.” Despite the Capitol Hill absence, Wilson has remained active on social media. “As students plan their futures, service through a U.S. Service Academy remains a powerful path to leadership, discipline, and opportunity. I was proud to host a Service Academy Day at FIU, bringing together representatives to share guidance with the next generation. For nomination information, visit my website or call my office,” Wilson posted to X on Tuesday. As students plan their futures, service through a U.S. Service Academy remains a powerful path to leadership, discipline, and opportunity. I was proud to host a Service Academy Day at FIU, bringing together representatives to share guidance with the next generation. For… pic.twitter.com/SLDvSWb5lw — Rep. Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) May 12, 2026 According to reporter Jamie Dupree, Wilson previously posted about the same event in October. “Rep. Frederica Wilson D-FL missed all 10 votes on Wednesday in the House. Wilson has now missed 43 straight votes – she last voted on April 17. Wilson’s X account this week sent out photos of a Service Academy day – but pictures from the same event were posted last October,” Dupree said. Rep. Frederica Wilson D-FL missed all 10 votes on Wednesday in the House. Wilson has now missed 43 straight votes – she last voted on April 17. Wilson's X account this week sent out photos of a Service Academy day – but pictures from the same event were posted last October pic.twitter.com/ncemZstJGP — Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) May 13, 2026 Forbes shared further: Wilson has not publicly explained her absence, and neither her office nor House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ office responded to Forbes’ questions about where she has been. Rep. Thomas Kean Jr., R-N.J., who had a near-perfect voting record until he cast his last vote on March 5, has missed 68 votes since. Kean’s chief of staff, Dan Scharfenberger, referred Forbes to a previous statement he provided to the New Jersey Globe: Kean is “attending to a personal health matter” and will be returning to a regular full schedule soon,” Scharfenberger said, adding, “the Congressman’s team continues to serve the people of New Jersey uninterrupted.” Both are running for re-election this year and could lose their seats—Kean, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, is uncontested in the June primary, but his district is widely considered a toss-up, and while Wilson’s leans solidly blue, she faces small business owner Christine Sanon-Jules Olivo in the August primary.

In a massive win for all Americans, the Supreme Court just unanimously decided that freight brokers who negligently hire unsafe trucking companies can be sued. This means that freight brokers can now be held liable for hiring trucking companies that employ dangerous and/or foreign drivers if they cause an accident. Here are the details of the ruling: The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that federal law does not shield freight brokers from state negligence lawsuits when they hire unsafe trucking companies. pic.twitter.com/bFIr3lFBNl — SCOTUS Wire (@scotus_wire) May 14, 2026 The original case centers around a man named Shawn Montgomery, who tragically lost part of his leg in a crash caused by a speeding semi-truck driver with a record of careless driving and previous crashes. The semi-truck was arranged by one of America’s largest freight brokers, C.H. Robinson. Montgomery argued that he should be allowed to sue C.H. Robinson for liability, and the Supreme Court ultimately sided with him. AP News broke down the case further: The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed a man to sue a major logistics company after he lost part of his leg in a semi tractor-trailer crash, a decision that could have big ripple effects across the trucking industry. The justices ruled unanimously in favor of Shawn Montgomery, whose parked vehicle was hit by a speeding truck driver on an Illinois highway in 2017. He wants to sue C.H. Robinson, the country’s largest freight broker by size, over its role in putting the driver on the road despite what he called “serious red flags.” The decision does not mean Montgomery will necessarily win the lawsuit, which the company is contesting. But the ruling opens the door to increased liability for freight brokers, a key part of the industry. The Trump administration and companies such as Amazon had argued that letting the suit go forward would expose logistics companies to liability under a “patchwork” of state laws. The Transportation Intermediaries Association, an industry group, said the decision was “deeply disappointing.” “This is like asking travel agents to evaluate the safety of a given airline despite the fact that the airline has been licensed to fly by the federal government,” said Chris Burroughs, the group’s president and CEO. “We are working with our members to assess potential next steps to mitigate the consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision.” Montgomery’s lawyers say the trucker had been cited for careless driving in another crash months earlier and that the carrier he worked for had been involved with at least three crashes in a span of about five months. Montgomery’s lawsuit said C.H. Robinson should share liability because it hired the carrier despite those problems. Montgomery’s appeal was backed by more than two dozen states. They said a win for him would help bolster safety in an industry that moves billions of tons of goods across billions of miles every year. The company argued the suit, filed under state law, must be tossed out because brokers rely on the federal government to regulate carriers and federal law trumps state law. But in an opinion by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, the Supreme Court disagreed. The justices found Montgomery’s claims can move forward because they fall under an exception for safety regulations. The high court overturned a lower-court ruling in the company’s favor. As you can imagine, this will have a dramatic impact on the trucking industry and make our roads safer for everyone. It’s a huge step in the right direction towards preventing future accidents caused by illegal truck drivers — like these two fatal crashes involving Indian nationals: BREAKING: The US Supreme Court has ruled 9-0 that freight brokers can be held LIABLE if they negligently hire unsafe trucking companies — including those with ILLEGAL ALIEN and FOREIGN drivers who violate CDL rules and cause accidents LFG! Start cracking down on the companies… pic.twitter.com/lWHo2XXYwz — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 14, 2026 BREAKING: The US Supreme Court has ruled 9-0 that freight brokers can be held LIABLE if they negligently hire unsafe trucking companies — including those with ILLEGAL ALIEN and FOREIGN drivers who violate CDL rules and cause accidents LFG! Start cracking down on the companies

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks has resigned from his position. “It’s just time,” Banks told Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin. “I feel like I got the ship back on course from the least secure, disastrous, chaotic border to the most secure border this country has ever seen,” Banks continued. “Time to pass the reigns, 37 years, it’s time to enjoy the family and life,” he added. BREAKING: US Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks tells me he is resigning, effective immediately. "It's just time," Banks tells me. "I feel like I got the ship back on course. From the least secure disastrous chaotic border to the most secure border this country has ever seen. Time… — Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 14, 2026 Fox News explained further: Banks has previously detailed his upbringing in the small town of Warner Robins, Georgia. He said he was raised primarily by his grandmother, who was on a fixed income, as his single mother struggled to raise his two older half-sisters. To help his grandmother pay the bills, Banks said he began working full-time in the summers and part-time during the school year picking peaches, working alongside migrant farmworkers. According to an interview published on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website, Banks said the experience had given him a deep sense of humility and compassion, teaching him what it takes to support a family. Banks enlisted in the military at 17 years old and served for a decade in both combat and peacetime, overseas and in the U.S., primarily in law enforcement roles. After hearing stories from CBP agents, Banks applied to the agency in 2000. According to Washington Examiner journalist Anna Giaritelli, Banks faced recent prostitution allegations. “A second bombshell report on Border Patrol national chief Mike Banks is said to be coming out today, which prompted DHS Sec. Mullin to meet with Border Patrol’s union chief yesterday, hours before Banks announced he’s leaving,” Giaritelli said. “We reported weeks ago that Banks had traveled abroad to have sex with prostitutes while an agent. One source said Banks has been on thin ice since then. Banks was part of the Noem/Lewandowski/Bovino/Perez cohort,” she continued. A second bombshell report on Border Patrol national chief Mike Banks is said to be coming out today, which prompted DHS Sec. Mullin to meet with Border Patrol's union chief yesterday, hours before Banks announced he's leaving. We reported weeks ago that Banks had traveled… — Anna Giaritelli (@Anna_Giaritelli) May 14, 2026 From the Washington Examiner in April: The national chief of the Border Patrol, Michael Banks, was known among colleagues for taking regular trips abroad to engage in sex with prostitutes, according to six current and former Border Patrol employees who spoke with the Washington Examiner. Banks “bragged” to colleagues while in his previous management role at Border Patrol about paying for sex with prostitutes while traveling in Colombia and Thailand over the course of a decade. Banks’ behavior was said to have been investigated by Customs and Border Protection officials twice, including last year, but the investigation ended abruptly while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was in office, leading to more questions. “I don’t know how he became the chief of the Border Patrol with his character,” a former Border Patrol agent told the Washington Examiner in a phone call, adding that now-53-year-old Banks had personally pushed him to come along on one of the trips. “He’s going to third-world countries to take advantage of poor f***ing women, which disgusts the h*** out of me.” Four others said Banks talked freely with his subordinates about his travels and that it was known why he went, making his promotion to the top of the agency last year that much more flabbergasting. “He would tell people that’s why he was going on these trips — he would go there to engage in activities with prostitutes,” a second person said. “So I think those stories are out everywhere, and you can’t put them away or not give it attention because he was the one telling people about these trips. “In our line of work, part of what we do is try to combat the trafficking of females, that is part of our job,” the same person said. “It’s counter to what we do or what we should be standing for. If you’re partaking in those activities, you’re supporting the trafficking and exploitation of women.”