The Daily Signal is expanding its state-level reporting with the launch of a new California bureau, adding a team of journalists dedicated to original reporting, investigations, and commentary from the nation’s most populous state.  The California bureau will focus on coverage of state government, public policy, and cultural issues, with particular attention to how decisions made in Sacramento and major metropolitan areas shape national debates on immigration, public safety, energy, and governance. The expansion includes the hiring of Angelina Delfin as California correspondent, Hailey Gomez as California investigative reporter, and Drew Allen as California columnist. The team will be edited by Bruce Parker, who will oversee coverage and coordinate reporting from across the state.  “The policies coming out of California increasingly influence national debates, whether on immigration, homelessness, energy, or public safety,” said Bradley Devlin, The Daily Signal’s politics editor. “Establishing a California bureau allows us to report directly from the state, hold powerful institutions accountable, and give readers a clearer picture of how those decisions affect the rest of the country.” Building a State News Network  The launch of the California bureau builds on The Daily Signal’s existing state-based reporting, which includes bureaus in Virginia, where correspondent Joe Thomas covers state government and policy developments, and Ohio, where correspondent Rebecca Downs reports on politics, elections, and public policy. As California correspondent, Delfin will cover state political news and public policy developments affecting Californians, conducting on-the-ground reporting, digital storytelling, and direct engagement with voters, activists, and policymakers. Based in Southern California, she will report on emerging political and cultural trends. Gomez joins The Daily Signal as California investigative reporter, bringing experience from her prior role at the Daily Caller News Foundation. Her work will focus on government corruption, homelessness, public safety, and other investigations. Allen will serve as a California columnist, contributing regular commentary on state politics, public policy, and cultural issues. In addition to written commentary, he will produce video content, offering a unique perspective on current events and politics from California.  The California team will be edited by Parker, a veteran editor and former state government reporter with extensive experience overseeing state-focused newsrooms. Parker has led coverage of public policy and government accountability for regional and national outlets. Expansion Plans in Georgia Next Looking ahead, The Daily Signal plans to continue expanding its state coverage, with Georgia identified as its next location for a new bureau. “We’re committed to strengthening our coverage across key states and focusing on how their decisions influence national policy debates,” Devlin said. The launch of the California bureau was made possible thanks to the generous support of Daily Signal donors, who have invested in state-based journalism to provide subscribers with timely, rigorous reporting in addition to the team’s Washington coverage. The post Daily Signal Expands to California With New State Bureau appeared first on The Daily Signal.

President Donald Trump said the families of fallen soldiers told him to “finish the job” in Iran. “Every single one of the people their loved ones said, ‘Please sir, please finish the job,'” Trump said in a primetime address to the nation on Wednesday night. The address marked one month since the United States launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Trump drew special attention to the American soldiers who lost their lives in the campaign. “As we celebrate this progress, we think especially of the 13 American warriors who have laid down their lives to prevent our children from ever having to face nuclear Iran,” Trump said. Trump recalled why he has traveled to Dover Air Force Base twice in the past month to witness dignified transfers. “I wanted to be with those heroes as they returned to American soil,” he said. “We salute them and now we must honor them by completing the mission for which they gave their lives.” The president also claimed the American mission has been successful. .@POTUS addresses the nation: "Tonight, Iran's navy is gone, their air force is in ruins, their leaders, most of them… are now dead. Their command and control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is being decimated as we speak, their ability to launch missiles and drones is… pic.twitter.com/3VOa2gM9ct— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 2, 2026 “Tonight, Iran’s navy is gone. Their air force is in ruins. Their leaders, most of them… are now dead,” he said. “Their command and control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is being decimated as we speak. Their ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed, and their weapons, factories, and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces.” “Our enemies are losing, and America, as it has been for five years under my presidency, is winning, and now, winning bigger than ever before,” Trump continued. The post Trump Claims Gold Star Families Told Him to ‘Finish the Job’ in Iran appeared first on The Daily Signal.

A federal judge ruled to halt the construction of the White House ballroom on Tuesday, citing that Congress must approve of the project. U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon paused construction on the ballroom after the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States sued the administration for tearing down the White House’s East Wing. The $300 million ballroom, which President Donald Trump claims is necessary to host state dinners, has been funded by private donations and not taxpayer funds. “The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families,” Leon, a former President George W. Bush appointee, wrote. “He is not, however, the owner!” “Unfortunately for Defendants, unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop,” the judge added. Trump responded to the judge’s decision in a Truth Social post, claiming the lawsuit “doesn’t make much sense.” “So, the White House Ballroom, and The Trump Kennedy Center, which are under budget, ahead of schedule, and will be among the most magnificent Buildings of their kind anywhere in the World, get sued by a group that was cut off by the government years ago, but all of the many DISASTERS in our Country are left alone to die,” Trump posted. “Doesn’t make much sense, does it?” In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump took aim at the ruling. “In the Ballroom case, the Judge said we have to get Congressional approval. He is WRONG! Congressional approval has never been given on anything, in these circumstances, big or small, having to do with construction at the White House,” the president claimed. “In this case, even less so, because the Ballroom is being built with Private Donations, no Federal Taxpayer Money!” Congress is now expected to comply with the judge’s orders and green-light the rest of the construction, someone familiar with the matter told The Daily Signal. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, chaired by Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, is now expected to help the ballroom construction continue after Congress returns from recess. Lee did not respond to The Daily Signal’s request for comment, but some Republicans on the committee have previously signaled their support for the project. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told Fox News Digital in August 2025 that the new ballroom will be a great addition to the White House and commemorated the president for doing so with “no cost to the taxpayer.” Hoeven did not respond to The Daily Signal’s request for comment. Other Republican senators have also signaled support for the ballroom. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said in August 2025 that he’s “glad” the construction is being carried out through “private dollars.” “I think it’ll be a great thing to add and put that Trump stamp on the White House,” he added. In response to Democrat criticism of the construction, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, previously said that his colleagues from across the aisle oppose the construction because they “wake up animated by hatred for Trump and hatred for the American people that voted for him.” Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., broke ranks with his Democrat colleagues when he shrugged off the project in August 2025 and called it “pretty normal.” “The plans are going to be done in a tasteful and historical kind of way,” Fetterman said. “They’re not putting in a Dave & Buster’s kind of situation here, so I think upgrading some of these facilities seems pretty normal.” In the lower chamber, Reps. Andy Biggs, Marlin Stutzman, Andy Ogles, and Josh Brecheen wrote an opinion piece for Newsweek in October applauding the construction and refuting any criticism. “The new ballroom is a practical investment in America’s most important home,” the members wrote. “For years, the White House has struggled to accommodate large-scale events, whether for state visits, national ceremonies or even bipartisan gatherings that bring leaders together.” The ballroom, if completed, would include an underground “military complex” that would serve as a bunker for the president, White House residents, and staff in the event of an emergency. “The ballroom essentially becomes a shed for what’s being built under,” Trump told reporters on Monday. The post With Federal Judge Halting White House Ballroom Construction, Will Congress Act? appeared first on The Daily Signal.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration successfully launched four astronauts into deep space for the first time in more than 50 years. Artemis II launched the crewed Orion spacecraft at 6:35pm EST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.  The crew will travel for 10 days, loop around the moon, and go farther from Earth than humans have ever gone before.  The mission aboard the Orion spacecraft is the second mission of the Artemis program, but the first with a manned crew. NASA says the program is critical to advancing a sustained human presence on the moon, sending humans to Mars, and beyond.  “Space is the final frontier. We have always been a nation of explorers, and this is what’s next!” Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind., who serves on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, told The Daily Signal. Celebrating America 250-America Is Going to The Moon ????NASA is sending four astronauts on a historic mission to the moon. This 10 day long mission will help America establish larger space exploration. Follow The Daily Signal to get updates on the mission!@virginiagmck pic.twitter.com/4Pfa1IGe9T— The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) April 1, 2026 This Mission Is America First  “In America’s 250th year, the Artemis II mission to the moon serves as a testament to American ingenuity and our ability to push the boundaries of what’s possible,” Baird said. “This mission cannot be underestimated: It is a critical step toward a greater U.S. presence in space, on the moon, and missions to Mars ahead of our adversaries. I commend the outstanding men and women of NASA and am praying for the astronauts’ successful mission and safe return,” Baird concluded. The Crew  The crew consists of three Americans—Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch—and one Canadian, mission specialist Jeremy Hansen. Hansen will be the first Canadian to fly on a mission to the moon. The Artemis II astronauts are wearing a commemorative @Freedom250 patch for America’s 250th birthday ??? @NASA @NASASpox @NASAAdmin @NASAArtemis pic.twitter.com/J7sg7z5ETp— Freedom 250 (@Freedom250) April 1, 2026 During prelaunch coverage, the astronauts shared that they plan to watch two movies during liftoff: Top Gun and Point Break, the latter requested by Koch, a former surfer.  The astronauts are bringing several personal items to keep close during their 10-day mission. Wiseman and Koch are bringing letters from their families, Glover is bringing his Bible and wedding rings, and Hansen is bringing his family’s birthstones.  The astronauts are wearing custom Artemis II patches alongside a commemorative Freedom 250 patch. The Economic Impact  During prelaunch coverage, NASA highlighted the massive economic impact of the Artemis program.  “Every dollar that comes out of the Treasury that goes to support this mission goes back into the Treasury three times,” a NASA spokesperson said.  Praying for the safety and success of the Artemis II crew and @NASA as they undertake a mission that will carry humanity farther into space than we have gone in over half a century.I had the privilege of hosting these courageous pioneers at the State of the Union earlier this… pic.twitter.com/Y2PvohPb6K— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) April 1, 2026 The Artemis program has created hundreds of thousands of jobs and was built by people and companies from all 50 states and around the world. The post LIFTOFF: Successful Artemis II Launch Sends Astronauts Into Deep Space appeared first on The Daily Signal.

With the partial government shutdown now the longest in U.S. history, House and Senate Republicans are trying a new plan to resolve the standstill. Last Friday, Republican senators passed a bill in the middle of the night to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. Democrats refused to fund those two agencies without additional restrictions on immigration enforcement. The new plan would involve the House passing the Senate’s plan. Then both chambers would use the reconciliation process to fund immigration enforcement and border security for three years, without needing Democrat support. On Wednesday afternoon, President Donald Trump called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La, to pass a funding bill “NO LATER than June 1st.” Trump has threatened to recall members of Congress from their Easter recess to pass a bill funding the department. The president explained in a Truth Social post that funding from the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” will be used for now to pay ICE and Border Patrol agents “ON TIME, and IN FULL.” pic.twitter.com/9aaYTTHNGp— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 1, 2026 Thune and Johnson released a joint statement on Wednesday, laying out the new funding process. “In the coming days, Republicans in the Senate and House will be following through on the President’s directive by fully funding the entire Department of Homeland Security on two parallel tracks: through the appropriations process and through the reconciliation process,” the statement reads. “In following this two-track approach, the Republican Congress will fully reopen the Department, make sure all federal workers are paid, and specifically fund immigration enforcement and border security for the next three years so that those law-enforcement activities can continue uninhibited.” pic.twitter.com/t4QKgtyY9T— Leader John Thune (@LeaderJohnThune) April 1, 2026 Republican senators told The Daily Signal they are working with Trump. “I absolutely agree with President Trump that Congress should reconvene and ensure that the Department of Homeland Security is fully funded, the SAVE America Act is passed, and Democrat obstruction is finally defeated,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, shared before Trump posted his statement. “We can’t forget how we arrived at this problem: Senate Democrats blocked a bipartisan proposal passed by the House of Representatives and have continued to move the mark and changed the rules while Republicans negotiate in good faith,” a spokesperson for Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, told The Daily Signal. Members have discussed using the process of reconciliation to pass funding for the department, requiring only a simple majority support. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, involved in Senate Republicans’ partial funding plan, has been vocal on X about the need to fund the department. ?Weekly updateSenate Democrats put this country, and 260,000 families, through hell for 41 days. Why? Because they care much more about politics and illegals than American citizens and fulfilling their core duty: protecting the homeland.Shameful.Now that TSA, Coast Guard,…— Bernie Moreno (@berniemoreno) March 27, 2026 “Phenomenal leadership by President Trump,” Moreno said on X in response to Trump’s statement. He stressed the move to “fund ALL of DHS.” Trump has called for an end to the filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act, a point he reiterated in Wednesday’s Truth Social post. The post At Trump’s Prompting, GOP Leadership Hatches New Plan to Fund DHS appeared first on The Daily Signal.