Trump admin updates: White House officials hold prayer vigil for Charlie Kirk

Republican lawmakers gathered at the Kennedy Center.

Last Updated: September 14, 2025, 9:58 PM EDT

White House officials and Republican lawmakers gathered at the Kennedy Center at 6 p.m. to hold a prayer vigil in remembrance of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

On Saturday, after long promising to impose consequences on Russia in an effort to get President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table to end the war in Ukraine, President Donald Trump pressed NATO nations to join him before he imposes potential sanctions.

Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that there is an appetite in Congress to impose sanctions on Russia, which he said are "overdue."

Sep 08, 2025, 12:34 PM EDT

Dispute over Trump firing of Dem FTC commissioner lands at SCOTUS

President Donald Trump's removal of Rebecca Slaughter, a Democratic member of the Republican-majority Federal Trade Commission, is now under review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Chief Justice John Roberts on Monday issued a temporary administrative stay of lower court orders that Slaughter should be allowed to remain on the job pending litigation over the lawfulness of her termination. The justices are considering whether to take up the case.

Slaughter contends her firing is illegal.

Congress created the five-member FTC in 1914 with members appointed to seven-year terms and removable only for cause. Trump fired Slaughter purely at his discretion, arguing the law is an unconstitutional infringement on executive authority.

PHOTO: U.S. President Trump delivers remarks to the White House Religious Liberty Commission, in Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump speaks at the religious liberty commission at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, September 8, 2025.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

A landmark high court decision from 1935 — Humphry's Executor — upheld the constitutionality of the FTC removal provision; however, many of the current justices have indicated the ruling should be overturned.

--ABC News' Devin Dwyer

Sep 08, 2025, 11:23 AM EDT

Trump on Chicago: 'We'd love to go in'

President Donald Trump on Monday repeated his desire to take federal action in Chicago.

"We'd love to go into Chicago and straighten it out," Trump said as he delivered remarks at the Museum of the Bible in Washington.

President Donald Trump speaks at a hearing of the Religious Liberty Commission at the Museum of the Bible, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Washington.
Alex Brandon/AP

Chicago is waiting to see what action the Trump administration will take after weeks of threats from the president. The city braced over the weekend for expanded immigration enforcement, with protests throughout

Trump on Monday continued to tout the federal takeover of Washington, calling the nation's capital a "safe zone."

"We could do the same thing in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles," Trump said on Monday.

Trump reiterated his view that Chicago leaders should be requesting his administration's assistance. Local officials have said any deployment of federal agents or troops would be unnecessary and illegal, and point to statistics that show overall crime is down in the city so far this year compared to last year.

Sep 08, 2025, 11:01 AM EDT

Trump says he gave his family Bible to the Museum of the Bible

President Donald Trump announced on Monday he gave his family bible to be put on display at the Museum of the Bible.

"For thousands of years, the Bible has shaped civilization, ethics, art and literature, and it's brought hope, healing, and transformation to untold millions and millions of lives. The Bible is also an important part of the American story," Trump said.

That's why I'm delighted to announce that just moments ago, I have personally delivered the Trump family Bible given to me by my mother, I remember the time she gave it to me, but it was used in both my inaugurations ... and I guess it will now be displayed right in the heart of our nation's capital, right here. And that's an honor."

President Donald Trump speaks at a hearing of the Religious Liberty Commission at the Museum of the Bible, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Washington.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

The announcement came as Trump addressed the White House Religious Liberty Commission at the museum.

Sep 08, 2025, 10:46 AM EDT

Trump says, 'We have to bring back religion in America'

President Trump spoke to the White House Religious Liberty Commission at the Museum of the Bible in Washington on Monday morning.

"America was founded on faith, as we know, and I've been saying it for a long time, when faith gets weaker, our country seems to get weaker," the president said. He added, "And under the Trump administration, we're defending our rights and restoring our identity as a nation under God. We are one nation under God, and we always will."

"We have to bring back religion in America, bring it back stronger than ever before," Trump said.

Members of the commission include Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Ben Carson and Paula White.

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