Author
Ariana covers the nation's capital for States Newsroom. Her areas of coverage include politics and policy, lobbying, elections and campaign finance.
Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
Trump says he’s willing to debate Harris more than once
By: Ariana Figueroa - July 23, 2024
WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a Tuesday call with reporters committed to a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic presidential candidate. “I would be willing to do more than one debate,” Trump said. Harris, who says she is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, won pledges from enough Democratic delegates by late […]
U.S. Secret Service director resigns amid fury over agency failures in protecting Trump
By: Ariana Figueroa - July 23, 2024
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned Tuesday, following widespread outrage that her agency failed to prevent the assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump during a July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Cheatle’s resignation follows an intense congressional hearing where Democrats and Republicans demanded she step down after they grew dissatisfied with […]
VP Harris cites Biden’s ‘legacy of accomplishment’ as endorsements pile up for her bid
By: Ariana Figueroa, Lia Chien and Jacob Fischler - July 22, 2024
WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris’ path to the Democratic nomination cleared Monday as she secured endorsements from potential rivals and other high-profile party members the day after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid. A swarm of Democratic legislative leaders, governors — including some thought to harbor presidential ambitions of their own — and influential […]
Democratic calls for a new nominee ramp up as Biden camp pledges to stay the course
By: Jacob Fischler and Ariana Figueroa - July 19, 2024
WASHINGTON — Ten more congressional Democrats called on President Joe Biden to drop his reelection bid Friday, the most in a single day since a poor debate performance shook confidence among his fellow Democrats in his ability to win November’s election. The 10 Democrats on Friday, the day after former President Donald Trump officially accepted his […]
Trump picks Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate
By: Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa - July 15, 2024
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Donald Trump announced Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate Monday during the first day of the Republican National Convention, capping off months of speculation about who would get the nod as his vice presidential pick. Vance has not been a member of Congress long, having less than two years […]
Biden asks the nation for unity, promises security review after Trump shooting
By: Ariana Figueroa - July 14, 2024
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden Sunday called for unity and pledged an independent review following the campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday where former President Donald J. Trump was shot and injured. “An assassination attempt is contrary to everything we stand for as a nation,” Biden said in remarks from the White House, adding […]
Democrats reel from ‘terrible’ Biden debate performance as he defends candidacy
By: Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa - June 28, 2024
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden touched on a flood of criticism of his debate performance during a rally on Friday, while Democrats interviewed on Capitol Hill said the party must figure out a way to reassure voters after what they described as a “terrible” showing and a “bad night.” Biden, speaking from Raleigh, North Carolina, […]
U.S. Supreme Court sides with Oregon city, allows ban on homeless people sleeping outdoors
By: Ariana Figueroa - June 28, 2024
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Friday sided with a local ordinance in Oregon that effectively bans homeless people from sleeping outdoors, and local governments will be allowed to enforce those laws. In a 6-3 decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the opinion that the enforcement of those local laws that regulate camping on public property does […]
U.S. Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns
By: Ariana Figueroa - June 21, 2024
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Friday upheld a federal law that bars people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from owning a firearm. In an 8-1 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion that “our Nation’s firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm to others from misusing firearms.” “When an […]
U.S. House ethics panel adds allegations to Matt Gaetz investigation
By: Ariana Figueroa - June 18, 2024
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Ethics Committee released a statement Tuesday saying it has “identified additional allegations that merit review” based on its investigation of prior allegations that Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz had inappropriate sexual relationships and violated rules by accepting gifts. The committee is investigating allegations that Gaetz may have “engaged in […]
Biden to unveil protections for some undocumented spouses, easier DACA work visas
By: Ariana Figueroa - June 18, 2024
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration Tuesday will announce deportation protections for long-term undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens, along with quicker approval of work permits for those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. President Joe Biden will formally make the announcement during an afternoon White House event to celebrate the 12th anniversary of […]
U.S. Supreme Court overturns ban on bump stocks used in Las Vegas mass shooting
By: Ariana Figueroa - June 14, 2024
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a rule enacted following a 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which is generally prohibited under federal law. The opinion, written by Justice Clarence Thomas, reduces the executive branch’s already-limited […]