The top 6 U.S. political stories for Friday, May 15, 2026.

1. 1
   Foreign Policy

   Trump Concludes State Visit to China

   President Donald Trump wrapped up his state visit to China, concluding three days of meetings with President Xi Jinping. Discussions centered on tensions in Taiwan and the ongoing war in Iran, though the summit ended without any major policy agreements.

2. 2
   Supreme Court

   Supreme Court Extends Access to Mifepristone

   The U.S. Supreme Court issued an order to continue blocking a 5th Circuit Court ruling that would invalidate Biden-era regulations on mifepristone. The decision maintains telehealth and mail-order access to the abortion medication while litigation continues.

3. 3
   Immigration

   DHS Reports a Year of 'Zero Releases' at the Border

   The Department of Homeland Security announced its twelfth consecutive month of zero migrant releases at the southern border. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin credited the administration's strict enforcement policies for driving daily apprehensions down by 95 percent.

4. 4
   Department of Justice

   DOJ and Texas AG Launch Beef Antitrust Probe

   The Department of Justice and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton have opened a sweeping antitrust investigation into the nation's largest meatpackers. The probe aims to uncover whether major firms manipulated the market to underpay ranchers and inflate grocery prices.

5. 5
   Congress

   Rep. Steve Cohen to Retire Amid Redrawn District

   Congressman Steve Cohen announced he will not seek re-election in Tennessee's newly gerrymandered 9th Congressional District. Cohen cited the state legislature's recent redistricting, which split his majority-Black Memphis district into three Republican-leaning areas.

6. 6
   White House

   Trump Plans Sculpture Garden Along Potomac River

   President Trump announced plans to build the 'National Garden of American Heroes' in West Potomac Park. The proposal has already sparked debate over the administration's potential bypass of typical approval processes for Washington's monumental core.