SUMMARY: Pete Hegseth was confirmed as the Pentagon’s leader in a Senate vote, with Vice President J.D. Vance breaking the tie. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, after a meeting with Hegseth, supported his nomination, despite initial doubts, alongside Sens. Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, and Lisa Murkowski who broke ranks with party lines. Tillis praised Hegseth’s military experience and commitment to modernizing the armed forces. All Democrats and two independents voted against the nomination. Following the vote, President Trump expressed satisfaction with the confirmation, and Hegseth pledged to prioritize American interests and military strength in his new role.

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SUMMARY: Federal recognition for North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe has received support from President Donald Trump and some congressional members, but faces skepticism from others, particularly the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Chief Michell Hicks emphasized a need for rigorous historical evidence to substantiate the Lumbee’s claims, warning that tribal sovereignty must be preserved. The Lumbee Fairness Act, which seeks to grant full federal recognition, has bipartisan support but also faces opposition. The Lumbees, the largest tribe east of the Mississippi, have awaited full recognition since being acknowledged by the state in 1885 and Congress in 1956, though without associated benefits.

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SUMMARY: North Carolina affordable housing advocates are bracing for challenges as the Trump administration sets up, focusing on protecting existing housing programs. Stephanie Watkins-Cruz of the N.C. Housing Coalition expresses a mix of fear regarding potential negative impacts on housing policy amid proposed executive changes. Concerns are rising over Eric Scott Turner, Trump’s HUD nominee, whose support for budget cuts and private equity involvement raises alarm among housing advocates. His refusal to protect federal housing programs from spending cuts could significantly harm assistance for many. Advocates push for solutions to enhance affordable housing access while navigating an uncertain political landscape.

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