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President Donald Trump bragged on Thursday that his "magnificent" ballroom project had taken another step toward becoming a reality, even as he threatens to discontinue social programs like Medicare and Medicaid in order to provide more funding for the military.

Trump wrote a post on Truth Social thanking the "hardworking" members of the National Capital Planning Commission, who voted 8-1 to approve his ballroom project. Trump was especially tickled by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) casting a vote in favor of the project.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced a new policy on Thursday to allow active servicemembers to put in a request to carry their own personal firearms with them on military installations — proclaiming it to be a "God-given right."

"Our military installations have been turned into gun-free zones — leaving our service members vulnerable and exposed. That ends today," Hegseth wrote in a post to X accompanying a video detailing the announcement.

Political analysts and observers were taken aback on Thursday after Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended President Donald Trump's rant during an Easter event at the White House.

Trump hosted a gathering of several religious organizations at the White House on Wednesday to commemorate the Easter holiday. During the event, Trump said the federal government can't afford to continue funding programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Instead, Trump suggested that state governments raise their taxes to cover the cost of the programs.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche startled some political analysts and observers on Thursday when he flubbed a softball question about the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Blanche was asked whether the public would learn the identities of the men who abused young women that are mentioned in the Epstein files during a press conference. Blanche's answer left some observers unsettled.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is facing an uprising from Republican lawmakers after his abrupt reversal on the Department of Homeland Security bill passed by the Senate, reported Punchbowl News' Jake Sherman on Thursday afternoon.

"The furor in the House GOP at their leadership right now is astounding. Hardline conservatives. Moderates. Leadership allies. Etc," wrote Sherman. After House leadership said in unison that the Senate bill was garbage, Sherman wrote, "now they are being asked to vote for it and told it is the only option."

President Donald Trump's Secretary of Defense was panned by political analysts and observers on Thursday after his latest shakeup within the Army's leadership.

Secretary Pete Hegseth asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to either resign or accept immediate retirement, according to a new report by CBS News. The move happened at a time when the Trump administration is facing significant criticism for its participation in the war in Iran.

A viral clip posted to X on Thursday showed Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback blowing up at a Black voter and telling him he should be "lynched" for asking about the allegations of inappropriate behavior with teenagers.

The clip was posted by the account @JustinUSA, who describes himself as a "normal Republican."

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Thursday defended his strange trip to Disney World amid the ongoing partial government shutdown.

Over the weekend, photos of Graham visiting Disney appeared on social media. Graham, who is unmarried and has no children, told TMZ on Tuesday that the trip was planned as part of his efforts to work with special envoy Steve Witkoff to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. But questions still swirled about why he chose to blow off steam at Disney World.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly pushed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to resign.

Jennifer Jacobs of CBS News first reported that Hegseth had asked George to take early retirement.