Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons submitted his resignation letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin on Thursday. Lyons will leave his position on May 31. According to Fox News, Lyons wants to spend more time with his family. He said “it’s been a privilege to serve under President Donald Trump,” the outlet noted. “Director Lyons has been a great leader of ICE and key player in helping the Trump administration remove murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members from American communities. He jumpstarted an agency that had not been allowed to do its job for four years. Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer,” Mullin said in a statement to Fox News. “We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector. His last day is May 31, 2026,” he added. Statement to @FoxNews via DHS Secretary Mullin: “Director Lyons has been a great leader of ICE and key player in helping the Trump administration remove murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members from American communities. He jumpstarted an agency that had not… — Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) April 17, 2026 Fox News shared further: Lyons has overseen roughly 584,000 ICE deportations since President Donald Trump was inaugurated for a second term last year. He has served in ICE for 20 years and was previously in special forces in the U.S. Air Force. A replacement for Lyons remains uncertain. The agency has not had a Senate-confirmed leader since the Obama administration, CNN noted. Lyons previously urged political leaders to allow their local and state law enforcement to work with the agency. Watch below: JUST IN: Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has submitted his RESIGNATION to DHS Sec. Mullin, and will serve until May 31 — Fox's @BillMelugin_ Thank you for your service, patriot! Lyons oversaw the SURGE in deportations that we voted for, and it must continue! pic.twitter.com/i26DscCYu2 — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 17, 2026 CNN noted: Earlier Thursday, Lyons testified before a House Appropriations subcommittee where he fielded questions from lawmakers about the unprecedented number of deaths in ICE custody and future agency plans for detention space, among other issues.

President Trump’s plan to build a towering Triumphal Arch at the gateway to the nation’s capital just cleared its first major federal hurdle. On Thursday morning, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts voted to approve the concept design for the 250-foot gilded arch, which the Trump administration wants to erect in time for America’s 250th birthday. Every member of the commission voted in favor of moving forward — the panel is now made up entirely of Trump appointees after the president fired the previous members last October. The approval isn’t the final word. The commission asked the project’s architect, Nicolas Charbonneau, to come back with a revised version of the design before the final vote. But make no mistake — this was a significant step forward for a project many critics didn’t think would ever get out of the gate. The Rapid Response 47 account shared the official renderings of the arch last week when the plans were first unveiled: pic.twitter.com/zcH5TtaOu7— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 10, 2026 The design is exactly what you’d imagine a Trump monument to look like — and that is not meant as a criticism. The 250-foot structure will be crowned by a winged Lady Liberty figure holding a torch, flanked on either side by gilded eagles. At the base, four gilded lions will stand guard. The phrases “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All” are to be inscribed in gold lettering atop either side of the monument. At 250 feet, the arch will be roughly two and a half times the height of the Lincoln Memorial (99 feet) and nearly as tall as the U.S. Capitol. It will sit on Columbia Island — a human-made island in the Potomac River near the Arlington Memorial Bridge — serving as a grand gateway from Arlington National Cemetery into the District. NBC News laid out the path ahead: President Donald Trump’s planned triumphal arch for Washington cleared a key hurdle Thursday after its early designs secured approval from a federal arts panel whose members were handpicked by the president.The Commission of Fine Arts, which has a new slate after Trump fired the previous members last year, vets designs and major architectural projects in the nation’s capital.Members of the Commission of Fine Arts on Thursday asked the project’s architect, Nicolas Charbonneau, to make some revisions to details in his designs and draft “a second iteration” to present at an upcoming meeting of the panel. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who helped present the project plans at the hearing, told the commission the arch “embodies American freedom” and argued that the human-made island where it will sit is currently barren — not honoring the original vision for the capital city. That said, the project is anything but universally loved. According to ABC News, the commission fielded a wave of public opposition: Protesters gathered outside the National Building Museum, where the commission has its office, and held up signs that read: “Stop Arch Insanity,” “No Trump Arch,” and “No Vanity Arch.”Luebke said many of the comments characterized the project as “a waste of money and misuse of funds” and others said “that it would obstruct historic views and disrupt the landscape, it was inappropriate imperial or political symbolism, that the design was gaudy, oversized, incompatible, and that it was disrespectful to Arlington National Cemetery and military sacrifice.” Nearly a thousand public comments were filed against the project, according to the commission. None of that, of course, was enough to stop the vote from going through. There were some design-related pushbacks from within the commission itself. Vice Chair James McCrery II — an architect who had briefly worked on Trump’s proposed White House ballroom before leaving over concerns about its size — suggested removing three statues from the top of the arch that account for 84 feet of its height. McCrery also objected to a proposed 250-foot underground pathway for visitors, and argued that the lion statues at the base weren’t traditionally “American” symbols. Still, the project is moving forward. And President Trump has been clear from the beginning about what kind of monument he’s building. Announcing the project on Truth Social last week, the president wrote that the administration had “officially filed the presentation and plans to the highly respected Commission of Fine Arts for what will be the GREATEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL Triumphal Arch, anywhere in the World” — and a “wonderful addition to the Washington D.C. area for all Americans to enjoy for many decades to come!” The White House is framing the arch as a tribute to American servicemembers. Spokesman Davis Ingle told NBC News the monument “will enhance the visitor experience at Arlington National Cemetery for veterans, the families of the fallen, and all Americans alike, serving as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes throughout our 250 year history so we can enjoy our freedoms today.” The arch also faces legal challenges — a group of veterans and historians has sued the administration, arguing that congressional approval is required before construction can begin. But with the Commission of Fine Arts now on board, the revisions underway, and a clear mandate from the White House, the path is open for America to get its first Triumphal Arch — a 250-foot, gold-crowned monument standing at the entrance of the nation’s capital just in time for the country’s 250th birthday. Say what you want about the design — it is going to be a sight to behold.

President Trump made his first remarks on the sexual assault allegations against former Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell. Swalwell resigned from Congress and suspended his California gubernatorial campaign amid sexual assault and harassment allegations by five different women. “We’ll see what happens,” Trump told the Daily Mail. “He’s a sleazebag. Always has been. He’s a long timer, and he’s a bad guy. I don’t know anything about the charges, but he’s a bad guy,” he continued. Trump breaks silence on shocking rape allegations against 'sleazebag' Eric Swalwell to the Daily Mail https://t.co/aOxylugfRy — Daily Mail US (@Daily_MailUS) April 16, 2026 Daily Mail shared further: Swalwell has been one of Trump’s most vocal critics in Congress, accusing the President of colluding with Russia during the 2016 election. He also served as an impeachment manager during Trump’s second trial in 2021. ‘He’s always been a bad guy, he’s a corrupt politician, and everyone knows it, so it’s happening to him, and we’ll see what happens. Right? Let him go defend himself,’ Trump added. Two criminal investigations into the assault claims against Swalwell have been started by both the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Swalwell has denied any wrongdoing in connection with the rape and sexual assault allegations. While rejecting the claims, the former lawmaker acknowledged making ‘mistakes in judgment’ and apologized to his wife, Brittany Watts. The Justice Department also launched a probe against Swalwell. Eric Swalwell Faces Justice Department Probe Lonna Drewes, one of the alleged victims, accused Swalwell of drugging and raping her in a hotel room in 2018. Alleged Victim Of Eric Swalwell Accuses Him Of Drugging, R*ping Her More from the New York Post: Lonna Drewes, 50, said she thought she was friends with the lawmaker but claimed he spiked her drink before choking and sexually assaulting her in West Hollywood. The model sobbed as she claimed Swalwell was masquerading as helping her fashion software company take off, but said he ended up destroying her life and left her “crying all the time.” The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has opened an investigation into Drewes’ claim, after she handed over what she said are damning texts, photographs and journal entries accusing Swalwell of rape. Last week, four women leveled heinous claims against Swalwell, which has set fire to his political career. He’s since pulled out of the California governor’s race and resigned from Congress. A second criminal probe was opened by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office into claims of sexual assault by a former staffer.

Pentagon officials have approached automakers and other manufacturers to help increase weapons production, a practice similar to that during World War II, The Wall Street Journal reports. According to the outlet, top defense officials spoke with executives at Ford Motor and General Motors about producing weapons and other military supplies. Exclusive: The Pentagon has approached automakers and other American manufacturers about playing a larger role in weapons production https://t.co/FoyyuTUtAa — The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) April 15, 2026 More from The Wall Street Journal: The Pentagon is interested in enlisting the companies to use their personnel and factory capacity to increase production of munitions and other equipment as the wars in Ukraine and Iran deplete stocks. The talks were preliminary and wide-ranging, the people said. Defense officials said American manufacturers might be needed to backstop traditional defense companies and asked whether the companies could rapidly shift to defense work. GE Aerospace and the vehicle and machinery maker Oshkosh were among the companies involved in the talks with defense officials. “The Department of War is committed to rapidly expanding the defense industrial base by leveraging all available commercial solutions and technologies to ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage,” a Pentagon official told FOX Business. “The Department is aggressively pursuing and integrating the best of American innovation, wherever it resides, to deliver production at scale and drive resiliency across supply chains,” the official added. Trump administration taps automakers to boost weapons production in WWII-style push https://t.co/oBptSo3bXW — FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) April 16, 2026 FOX Business shared further: Defense officials said accelerating weapons production is being treated as a matter of national security, according to the report. Officials also asked companies to identify barriers to taking on additional defense work, including contracting requirements and challenges with the bidding process. The Pentagon’s recent budget request of $1.5 trillion includes funding for munitions and drone manufacturing. In a statement provided to FOX Business, Oshkosh said it “brings the full strength of a global enterprise, combining scale, financial stability, and advanced, flexible manufacturing, to efficiently ramp production while delivering consistent quality and reliability for both commercial and military customers.” “We are committed to regularly evaluating how our available capacity can meet the Department of War’s evolving needs, and we are proud to support national defense and the service members who rely on our capabilities and technologies,” a spokesperson said.

President Trump has nominated Dr. Erica Schwartz, a former Coast Guard officer who served as deputy surgeon general in his first administration, to serve as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “I am pleased to announce the new leadership of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is my Honor to nominate the incredibly talented Dr. Erica Schwartz, MD, JD, MPH, as my Director of the CDC. Erica graduated from Brown University for College and Medical School, and served a distinguished career as a Doctor of Medicine in the United States Military, the Greatest and Most Powerful Force in the World, and then served as my Deputy Surgeon General during my First Term. She is a STAR!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Slovenski as the CDC Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Jennifer Shuford, MD, MPH, as the CDC Deputy Director and Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Sara Brenner, MD, MPH, as Senior Counselor for Public Health to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,” Trump continued. “These Highly Respected Doctors of Medicine have the knowledge, experience, and TOP degrees to restore the GOLD STANDARD OF SCIENCE at the CDC, which was an absolute disaster focused on ‘mandates’ under Sleepy Joe. Together, they will do a TREMENDOUS job leading the CDC as we continue to MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AND GREAT AGAIN!” he added. Full post below: NPR has more: The CDC director role nominee requires Senate approval. The CDC is currently led by Dr. Jay Bhattacharya in an acting capacity; he is also director of the National Institutes of Health. He took over as CDC lead in February, and is expected to continue in the role during the Senate confirmation process, which could take several months. Schwartz, if confirmed, would work under Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, who oversees the CDC. Schwartz is a retired Rear Admiral and a board-certified preventive medicine physician. She previously served as chief medical officer of the U.S. Coast Guard, and as deputy surgeon general in the first Trump administration. She has a medical degree from Brown University, a law degree from the University of Maryland, and a master’s in public health degree from the Uniformed Services University, or USU. “Rear Admiral Schwartz is really an outstanding person in all regards. Her academic training and intellect is second to none,” says Admiral Brett Giroir who, as assistant health secretary in the first Trump administration, served as Schwartz’s supervisor and worked closely with her on the national COVID testing strategy. “She’s a person of the highest integrity and commitment to service to this country.” JUST IN: President Trump has named Dr. Erica Schwartz, a former deputy surgeon general, as the new director of the CDC. https://t.co/t1lzJOf8MX — ABC News (@ABC) April 16, 2026 “Thank you, President Trump, for nominating Dr. Erica Schwartz to serve as CDC Director. I congratulate Dr. Schwartz and the new CDC leadership team. I look forward to working together to restore trust, accountability, and scientific integrity at the @CDCgov so we can return it to its core mission and Make America Healthy Again,” Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. Thank you, President Trump, for nominating Dr. Erica Schwartz to serve as CDC Director. I congratulate Dr. Schwartz and the new CDC leadership team. I look forward to working together to restore trust, accountability, and scientific integrity at the @CDCgov so we can return it to… https://t.co/xTN1mUhVOT — Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) April 16, 2026 CNN noted: Schwartz certainly has a background in the CDC’s areas of expertise. During her time with the Coast Guard, she led disease surveillance and vaccination programs and wrote Coast Guard policy on pandemic influenza and other viral disease outbreaks. She also played a role in the government’s response to natural disasters, including hurricanes and earthquakes. Still, Schwartz will probably face skepticism from some senators over whether she’s willing to break with Kennedy on controversial issues such as vaccine policy. The White House was under a deadline to nominate a permanent director of the CDC after Kennedy abruptly fired the last Senate-confirmed director, Monarez, in August. The federal Vacancies Act says a Senate-confirmed position can be open for only 210 days, and past that deadline, the agency cannot have an acting director. That 210-day mark fell in late March. Currently, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is serving a dual role as director of the National Institutes of Health and as head of the CDC, after serving as its acting director.