USA TODAY is reporting that former top health official Dr. Anthony Fauci declined to answer questions during a three-hour Senate hearing, citing his Fifth Amendment rights and advice of counsel. It said Sen. Rand Paul plans to schedule a committee vote next week to recommend contempt charges against Fauci, despite a pardon issued by former President Biden covering Fauci's actions related to the coronavirus response from 2014 through 2025.
The newspaper also reported that a photo of Mitch McConnell is fueling conspiracy theories. It said two Republican senators have expressed concerns regarding President Donald Trump's attorney general pick. Separately, thousands of cyclosporiasis cases have been reported.
USA TODAY is reporting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests are occurring at airports, stemming from a newly disclosed agreement with the Transportation Security Administration. It said the Federal Reserve maintained its key interest rate unchanged, despite calls from President Trump for a cut. Conservationists in Arizona have begun a "tree sit" to protect a historic cottonwood tree from being removed for President Trump’s border wall.
In other news, NFL teams have gathered for training camps this week to prepare for the upcoming season. The newspaper also highlighted its "USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2026" list, featuring establishments across the country.
USA TODAY is reporting that a brewery owner who offered free beer upon President Trump's death is set to lose its alcohol permit but plans to contest the decision. It said a Trump administration immigration crackdown could negatively impact the economy, as employers in states like Florida and Ohio rely on Temporary Protected Status holders for construction and home health jobs. The newspaper also reported that a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran ended after what the Trump administration termed a "surprise attack" by Tehran on American forces, leading to U.S. retaliation.