Month: May 2026

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping opened their closely watched summit in Beijing with more than two hours of talks centered on global tensions, trade, Taiwan, and the escalating conflict involving Iran.

Trump discussed the Strait of Hormuz and the US-Israel war on Iran during his meeting with Xi, and according to the White House, the world leaders had a “good” meeting on Thursday and agreed that the Strait of Hormuz “must remain open to support the free flow of energy”.

US Treasury Sec’y Scott Bessent said separately that he believed Beijing would do what they can to open the waterway, which he said was “very much in their interest”. Separately, a coalition of 26 countries — including United Kingdom, France, Canada, Germany, Japan, Qatar, and South Korea — released a joint statement backing freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The countries voiced support for a defensive multinational mission that could eventually include mine-clearing operations once conditions allow.

During the discussions, Xi described the US-China relationship as one of the world’s most important partnerships and urged both countries to avoid damaging ties. He also warned that Taiwan remains the most sensitive issue between Washington and Beijing, cautioning that mishandling it could trigger serious confrontation and place the broader relationship at risk. While Chinese officials highlighted Taiwan concerns in their summary of the meeting, the American account focused more heavily on economic matters and the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

Trump later revealed that Xi pledged China would not provide military equipment to Iran. Speaking with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump said Xi made the commitment clearly and directly. At the same time, Trump acknowledged that China intends to continue purchasing significant amounts of Iranian oil because of its long-standing economic relationship with Tehran.

The war in the Middle East and the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz became major themes throughout the summit. Trump said Xi expressed support for reopening the critical shipping route and offered to help mediate with Iran if needed. “President Xi would like to see a deal made,” Trump said. “He said, ‘If I can be of any help at all, I would like to be of help.’” Trump added that Xi opposed restrictions and tolls in the strategically important waterway, which handles a large share of global oil shipments. According to Trump, Xi even joked during their conversation about both sides previously blocking access through the strait.

Trump also said Xi agreed to move forward with an order for 200 Boeing aircraft, a deal the president said would support American jobs. “One thing he agreed to today is he is going to order 200 jets,” Trump said, adding that Boeing had initially expected a smaller agreement.

President Trump’s visit to China continues Friday with additional meetings, a diplomatic lunch, and cultural events before he returns to Washington.

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U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael “Mike” Banks has stepped down effective immediately, becoming the latest senior immigration official to leave the Department of Homeland Security during a period of major leadership turnover under DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

Banks confirmed his departure Thursday, ending a public service career that spanned nearly 37 years, including time in the U.S. Navy and multiple leadership roles within Border Patrol. In farewell remarks to staff, he said it was time to return to Texas and focus on his family and ranch. Reflecting on his tenure, Banks praised agents for transforming what he described as a “chaotic and unsecured” southern border into “the most secure border this country has ever seen.” He also noted that more work remained before achieving full operational control of the border.

Rodney Scott, commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, thanked Banks for his decades of service and credited him with helping guide the agency through one of the most difficult periods in modern border enforcement.

Banks was appointed Border Patrol chief in January 2025 by President Donald Trump after previously serving as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s border czar during Operation Lone Star. The Texas-led initiative was launched in response to record migration levels during President Joe Biden’s administration.

Before taking the national role, Banks worked in several Border Patrol positions, including leadership at the Weslaco, Texas station. He previously left the agency in 2022 after disagreeing with Biden-era immigration policies, including changes to migrant processing procedures. His appointment in 2025 was unusual because the Border Patrol chief position had traditionally been filled by career agency officials rather than political appointees.

During Banks’s leadership, Border Patrol expanded operations beyond the southern border, deploying agents to cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis as part of broader immigration enforcement efforts. Some of those operations, particularly those overseen by former commander Gregory Bovino, drew criticism over aggressive tactics and widespread street-level enforcement.

Banks’s exit follows several other high-profile departures within DHS. Former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was removed earlier this year after controversies tied to government advertising campaigns and backlash surrounding fatal federal shootings in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons is also preparing to leave his post at the end of May. The department has said longtime immigration official David Venturella will replace Lyons on an interim basis.

Throughout Banks’s tenure, DHS repeatedly pointed to declining illegal border crossings as evidence that enforcement policies were working. However, some federal data and local reports indicated migrant encounters continued in certain areas, including thousands of attempted crossings recorded earlier this year.

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The South Carolina Supreme Court has overturned the double-murder convictions of disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh, ruling that he did not receive a fair trial in the killings of his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and son, Paul Murdaugh.

In a unanimous 5-0 decision issued Wednesday, the court vacated Murdaugh’s 2023 convictions and consecutive life sentences, citing misconduct by former Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca “Becky” Hill. The justices concluded Hill improperly influenced jurors during the high-profile trial, writing that she “placed her fingers on the scales of justice.” The ruling sends the case back for a new trial.

Murdaugh, once part of a powerful South Carolina legal family, was convicted of fatally shooting Maggie and 22-year-old Paul at the family’s hunting estate in June 2021. Prosecutors argued he committed the murders to gain sympathy and divert attention from mounting financial scandals threatening his career and reputation.

Although there were no eyewitnesses, prosecutors relied heavily on cellphone evidence, including a video recorded by Paul shortly before the killings that captured Murdaugh’s voice near the kennels where the bodies were later discovered. During the trial, Murdaugh admitted he lied to investigators about his whereabouts that night, blaming paranoia linked to longtime opioid addiction. “I’m not quite sure how I let myself get where I got. I battled that addiction for so many years. I was spending so much money on pills,” Murdaugh testified, while continuing to deny involvement in the murders.

Defense attorneys later appealed the verdict, accusing Hill of making inappropriate comments to jurors, encouraging them to distrust Murdaugh’s testimony, and pressuring them to reach a quick guilty verdict. One juror stated in an affidavit that Hill allegedly told the panel, “[T]his shouldn’t take us long,” before deliberations began. The juror also said lingering doubts about Murdaugh’s guilt were overshadowed by pressure from fellow jurors. Another juror testified Hill referred to Murdaugh’s testimony as “an epic day,” while a third claimed she advised jurors to “watch his body language.” Although some jurors said the comments did not affect their decisions, the Supreme Court ruled the conduct compromised the fairness of the proceedings. The court also criticized prosecutors for presenting extensive evidence about Murdaugh’s financial crimes during the murder trial, saying much of it created “considerable danger of unfair prejudice.”

Despite the overturned convictions, Murdaugh will remain behind bars. He is already serving lengthy federal and state prison sentences after pleading guilty to numerous financial crimes, including stealing millions of dollars from clients and associates. Among the victims was the family of longtime housekeeper Gloria Satterfield, whose settlement funds were misappropriated after her death.

As for Hill, she later pleaded guilty to separate misconduct charges tied to the case after admitting she shared sealed court exhibits with a photographer and lied about it. She received a year of probation and acknowledged wrongdoing, telling the court, “There is no excuse for the mistakes I made. I’m ashamed of them.”

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The Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Federal Reserve, handing President Donald Trump a key economic appointment as the central bank faces mounting pressure over inflation and interest rates.

Warsh secured confirmation in a 54-45 vote that largely followed party lines, with Democratic Sen. John Fetterman joining Republicans in support. His approval concludes a lengthy search for a successor to outgoing Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term officially ends Friday.

Earlier this week, Warsh also won confirmation to the Fed’s Board of Governors, a necessary step before assuming the chairmanship. He previously served on the board from 2006 to 2011, becoming its youngest governor at age 35.

The leadership transition comes at a tense moment for the U.S. economy. Inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target, while rising oil prices tied to the conflict involving Iran have added new concerns about consumer costs and economic stability. Recent reports showing persistent inflation have also weakened expectations that the Fed will cut interest rates anytime soon.

Although Trump has openly pushed for lower borrowing costs and frequently criticized Powell’s policies, Warsh said during confirmation proceedings that he would make monetary decisions independently. Powell, unlike most former Fed chairs, plans to remain on the central bank’s governing board after stepping down as chair, allowing him to continue voting on interest-rate decisions while keeping a lower public profile.

Warsh’s nomination faced delays after controversy surrounding a Justice Department investigation into the Fed. Sen. Thom Tillis initially blocked committee action on the nomination before later dropping his objection once federal prosecutors agreed to end the probe.

A former Morgan Stanley executive and longtime critic of recent Fed policies, Warsh has argued that the central bank became too aggressive during past economic rescue efforts, including large-scale asset purchases following the 2008 financial crisis. Since leaving the Fed, he has taught at Stanford and remained active in finance and corporate leadership roles.

Warsh is expected to chair his first Federal Open Market Committee meeting on June 16-17, where officials will weigh whether inflation pressures justify keeping rates elevated or shifting toward cuts later this year.

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