US Reaches Security Agreement With Greenland
The United States has reached a defence deal with Denmark over Greenland, allowing complete control over the island’s security but stopping short of a takeover.
“The United States of America has entered into an Agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland that gives the United States permanent control over security, and all other needs, in Greenland, completely addressing ALL of our many U.S. concerns,” U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“No U.S. adversary can EVER have a base in Greenland, have a military presence in Greenland, or make sensitive investments in Greenland, without our express written approval.”
For a long time, Trump has highlighted Greenland as a national security interest, pointing in particular to Russia and China as threats.
Tensions heightened in recent months over Trump’s repeated claims, going back to his first term, that Greenland should belong to the United States.
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Supreme Court Blocks Trump’s Postal Service Rule for Mail-In Ballots
America’s highest court has blocked Trump’s bid to regulate mail-in voting via the United States Postal Service (USPS), an issue Trump has said jeopardises election integrity ahead of the midterms.
On Sept. 14, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to leave in place the temporary block set by a previous judge, reasoning that the mailing process had already begun in some states and that they wouldn’t have enough time to implement the requested changes.
Trump signed an executive order in March to restrict mail-in voting by tightening regulation through USPS. Federal Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued the block on Aug. 27, stating that Congress and the states have the constitutional role of deciding who receives a ballot and that the USPS has no authority in such a matter.
A mail ballot drop box at a polling station in Arlington, Va., on Nov. 4, 2025. Alex Wong/Getty Images
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Judge Rules 30-Day Notice to Be Given Before Kennedy Center Shutdown
A series of legal battles over Trump’s planned renovation of the Kennedy Center continued this week, as a federal judge on Sept. 17 ordered a 30-day notice before any steps are taken to demolish the performing arts venue.
U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia made the ruling following images that were taken by photojournalists on Sept. 16 of Trump aboard Air Force One checking a large printout of the Kennedy Center with the words “Demolished.”
Trump wrote on Truth Social, “The closing will take place immediately, however, the Renovation and Reconstruction, which is a very large and complex job, cannot begin until such time as the D.C. Circuit rules on the Board’s approved name.”
On the same day, Cooper blocked the board from placing Trump’s name on the front of the building, saying that only Congress has the authority.
Security personnel walk along barricades surrounding the main building of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington on Sept. 17, 2026. Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images
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House Passes Iran War Powers Resolution
The U.S. House passed a resolution to rein in Trump’s use of force in Iran beyond 60 days without congressional approval.
The concurrent resolution passed on Sept. 15 by a vote of 220–204, but is largely symbolic and, like the previous two war-powers resolutions that passed the House, is unlikely to pass the Senate.
It was introduced in April by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.).
The War Powers Resolution of 1973, also known as the War Powers Act, aims to limit the president’s authority to sustain military operations without congressional approval.
The United States is seven months into the conflict with Iran, which started on Feb. 28, with a stated goal of preventing Iran from attaining nuclear weapons.
The U.S. Capitol in Washington on Sept. 2, 2026. Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images
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Man Who Sprayed Rep. Omar Gets 14 Months
A man who was arrested for spraying vinegar on Rep. Ilhan Omar at the beginning of the year has been sentenced to 14 months in prison.
Minnesota resident Anthony James Kazmierczak, 55, assailed Omar during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Jan. 27, where she was speaking, and sprayed her with vinegar.
Omar had been criticising Trump’s immigration policies.
Kazmierczak, who had pleaded guilty, was sentenced on Sept. 17.
A man shouts at Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) after spraying her during a town hall meeting in Minneapolis on Jan. 27, 2026, in a still image from video. Maria Alejandra Cardona/Reuters
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White House Withdraws Nomination for New ICE Chief
The White House withdrew its nomination for former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer to lead its Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency on Sept. 17.
Trump nominated Schroyer in June after a series of controversial episodes involving immigration enforcement.
ICE has received major backlash over its zero-tolerance enforcement policies, particularly from Democrats over the past months.
ICE’s early-2026 enforcement surge in Minneapolis drew large protests after two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by officers during operations in January.
A federal agent wears an Immigration and Customs Enforcement badge in New York on June 10, 2025. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File
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US Imposes New Sanctions on Russia, Iran
The United States has imposed new sanctions on Russia and extended sanctions on Iran, with Trump signing the bill into law on Sept. 18.
The bill, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, named in honour of the late senator, imposes sanctions on Russia to prevent the country from using its oil and gas sales to fund its war against Ukraine, now in its fourth year, and may include tariffs.
It also extends sanctions on Iran amid the ongoing conflict in order to force Iran to the bargaining table.
A Russian T-72B3M tank parades through Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9, 2022. Russia celebrates the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. Alexander NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images
