From the Politics Desk: A Deeper Dive

Trump Breaks with Tradition, Skips Post-Speech Tour

Forget the whirlwind tour! After delivering his prime-time address to Congress, President Trump bucked recent presidential tradition and opted to stay put in Washington. Typically, presidents embark on a cross-country trip to promote their freshly unveiled proposals to the vast audience reached by their speeches. Not this time.

Instead of hitting the campaign trail, Trump remained at the White House, engaging in meetings with the conservative House Freedom Caucus regarding government funding. This homebody approach aligns with Trump's established preference for the familiar comforts of his residences in Palm Beach, New Jersey, and his Manhattan tower. A former White House official revealed, “He likes sleeping in his own bed. He doesn’t like hotels.”

Furthermore, with no upcoming elections on his horizon, the political urgency to visit swing states is absent. A source close to Trump's political operations indicated his next travel will likely be during the midterms to support candidates.

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance has embraced the travel itinerary, recently visiting the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Ukraine's Uncertain Future: U.S. Assistance Dwindles

In a startling revelation, former CIA Director John Ratcliffe publicly announced the cessation of U.S. intelligence sharing and weapons shipments to Ukraine. This move delivers a clear message to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy: defiance of the American president carries consequences. While European allies scramble to fill the void, they lack the crucial air defenses and intelligence resources that only the U.S. can provide.

Amidst this turmoil, French President Macron has proposed a partial ceasefire, while Zelenskyy has issued apologies for challenging President Trump. Trump himself hinted at a potential resumption of negotiations with Ukraine, claiming to have received "strong signals the Russians are ready for peace."

"Wouldn’t that be beautiful?” he mused. While a peaceful resolution would indeed be welcome, there's currently no intelligence or evidence supporting Russia's genuine desire for peace.

Even staunch European supporters of Ukraine have expressed their wish for Zelenskyy to have adopted a more diplomatic approach with Trump. However, they acknowledge the immense pressure on a leader facing the devastating reality of thousands of Ukrainian children kidnapped and given new identities by Russia.

This administration’s abrupt reversal of decades of bipartisan support for NATO is jarring. The swift shift in stance from lifelong cold warriors since the Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy is particularly bewildering.

Some voices of dissent are emerging. Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., expressed concern over the halt in U.S. weapons shipments, stating, "If I am Putin, I’m loving a pause...I\u2019m loving a cessation of a resupply to Ukraine.” Tillis's message to the administration? “Putin’s a liar and a murderer. Let’s get it right with Ukraine.”

Trump's Record-Breaking Speech Length

Clocking in at roughly 100 minutes, Trump's address to Congress surpassed Bill Clinton's 1999 speech to claim the title of longest speech to a joint session of Congress or State of the Union address, according to the University of California-Santa Barbara's American Presidency Project.

Other Top Stories from the Politics Desk

From tariff reprieves for U.S. automakers to hostage negotiations with Hamas, the news cycle continues to spin. The Supreme Court rejected the administration’s bid to avoid paying USAID contractors, and the administration is reevaluating its Guantánamo Bay detention plans. Elon Musk advocated for government privatization and met with Senate Republicans. Meanwhile, House Republicans initiated a vote to censure Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, for disrupting Trump’s speech, and the political world mourns the passing of first-term Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Texas.