White House budget seeks $377M, $174M for renovations

April 4, 2026

Summary

Trump’s budget projected $377 million in White House renovations for fiscal 2026 and $174 million more the next year.

Why this matters

The request outlines a significant planned investment in the White House complex and how the administration said it would finance much of it. It also highlights legal and oversight questions tied to the proposed ballroom and related renovations.

President Donald Trump’s fiscal 2027 budget request projected more than $377 million for White House repairs and renovations in fiscal 2026 and another $174 million in fiscal 2027, according to the budget document.

The document also requested about $6 million in appropriated funds for fiscal 2027. It proposed broader cuts to domestic programs to help fund a $1.5 trillion increase in defense spending.

The White House budget showed $350 million of the $377 million projected for fiscal 2026 as mandatory spending, which is not subject to the annual congressional appropriations cycle. When asked for details, the spokesperson said that amount included private donations for Trump’s planned ballroom and that the funding was considered mandatory.

More top news

Europe

Russian strikes kill 4 in Ukraine; 1 dead in Rostov

Diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, remained stalled.

Full story +

Russian air attacks in northeastern Ukraine over the past 24 hours killed at least four people and injured 11 others, according to Kharkiv regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov.

Syniehubov said Saturday that the attacks hit the city of Kharkiv and 11 other towns and villages.

In the neighboring Sumy region, at least 11 people, including a child, were injured after a Russian drone struck a building overnight.

“Attack drones struck a 16-storey building and a private residential area [in the region of Sumy]. Residents of the burning high-rise were promptly evacuated … The fire has been extinguished,” the State Emergency Service of Ukraine’s press office said in a statement.

The Ukrainian Air Force said air defenses “shot down or neutralised” 260 of 286 Russian drones launched overnight toward the north, south, east and center of the country. It said 11 drones struck 10 locations, and debris from downed drones was found at six sites.

In Russia, at least one person was killed and four others were injured in a drone and missile attack on the southern Rostov region, according to regional Gov. Yury Slyusar.

Slyusar said the overnight attack hit the port city of Taganrog. He said the injured people, three Russian citizens and one foreign national, were in critical condition.

A missile struck a commercial facility, causing a fire, Slyusar said. He said authorities evacuated people and brought the fire under control.

Separately, falling drone debris hit a foreign-flagged cargo vessel in the Sea of Azov, causing a fire, while air defenses destroyed drones over Taganrog Bay and other districts, Slyusar said. He did not specify the origin of the attacks.

The United States, Russia and Ukraine held three rounds of high-level trilateral talks this year in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and Geneva, Switzerland, aimed at negotiating an end to the war.

A fourth round scheduled for last month was postponed because of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, with no progress reported on territory in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had proposed an Easter truce, which Russia’s Foreign Ministry rejected, calling it a “PR stunt.” Russia has continued to insist that Ukraine cede part of the Donbas region, a condition Zelenskyy has rejected.
Business

Tesla Texas factory workforce fell 22% in 2025

The decline came as Tesla recorded its second straight year of falling sales. At the same time, Tesla’s global workforce increased from 125,665 employees in 2024 to 134,785 in 2025, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Full story +

Tesla’s workforce at its factory outside Austin, Texas, fell 22% in 2025, according to a compliance report cited by the Austin American-Statesman.

The company reported 21,191 employees at the factory in 2024 and 16,506 in 2025.

It was not clear which teams were most affected by the staffing reductions at the plant.

Tesla has been one of the largest employers in the Austin area since the factory opened in 2022. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk moved Tesla’s headquarters to the factory site in 2021, before it opened.

The company has invested more than $6.3 billion in the facility to date, according to the report.
Middle East

Iran executes 2 convicted PMOI members

In an April 2 statement, PMOI condemned the executions, calling them an attempt to suppress opposition.

Full story +

Iran executed two men convicted of belonging to the banned People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, also known as PMOI or MEK, after the Supreme Court upheld their sentences, state media said Saturday.

The judiciary website Mizan Online identified the men as Abolhassan Montazer and Vahid Baniamerian. It said they were hanged after being convicted of PMOI membership and “armed rebellion through involvement in multiple terrorist acts.”

PMOI initially supported Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, but later broke with the country’s leadership and was designated a terrorist organization. The group has since operated in exile.

According to PMOI, four other members of the group were executed March 30 and 31: Mohammad Taghavi, Akbar Daneshvarkar, Babak Alipour, and Pouya Ghobadi. PMOI said all six men were arrested and convicted by a Revolutionary Court in late 2024.

Since the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran began Feb. 28, Iran has executed several people, including Kouroush Keyvani, a dual Iranian-Swedish national convicted of spying for Israel. State media also reported that a man convicted of acting on behalf of Israel and the United States during the protests was executed Thursday.

Earlier, on March 19, four people arrested in connection with the uprising, including Saleh Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi, and Saeed Davoudi, were killed. Amnesty said five other young protesters who were previously sentenced to death could also face execution after being moved from Ghezel Hesar prison to an unknown location this week.
World

Iran, Iraq, Lebanon report deaths, damage in strikes

Officials and media reported deaths, injuries, infrastructure damage, and shipping disruptions across Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and the Gulf.

Full story +

Iranian, Iraqi, Lebanese, Turkish, and U.S. media and officials reported a series of developments Saturday linked to the war involving the United States, Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon.

Iranian media said a strike hit the commercial terminal at the Shalamcheh border crossing in Khorramshahr, near the Iran-Iraq border. Mehr, citing Khuzestan Deputy Gov. Valiollah Hayati, said the site was targeted in an air attack. ISNA quoted Hayati as saying an Iraqi driver was killed and two Iranian workers were wounded.

State media also reported that a projectile struck near the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran, killing one guard. IRNA said there was no damage to the plant.

In Mahshahr, in southwestern Iran, strikes hit the Special Petrochemical Zone, according to Fars and Tasnim, which cited Hayati. The reports said three companies were hit and five people were wounded. Tasnim said the extent of the damage was not yet known.

Iranian media separately reported that oil exports from Kharg Island had increased despite the war. ISNA quoted Moussa Ahmadi, head of the Iranian parliament’s energy commission, as saying, “Following the visits carried out and meetings held on Kharg island, I must say that in recent days not only have oil exports not decreased, but they have increased.” Kharg Island is a main Iranian oil export terminal.

In Iraq, the Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as Hashed al-Shaabi, said an attack killed one fighter and wounded four others, along with a Defense Ministry member. The group blamed the United States and Israel.

In Lebanon, the Health Ministry said Israeli airstrikes on buildings near a hospital in Tyre wounded 11 people and damaged the Lebanese Italian Hospital. The hospital’s director told the state-run National News Agency that it would remain open.

Turkey’s transport minister, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, said a second Turkish-owned ship had passed through the Strait of Hormuz. He said 15 ships belonging to Turkish shipowners had been waiting to cross when the war began on Feb. 28.

Iranian and U.S. forces were also searching for a missing crew member from a crashed U.S. F-15 inside Iran, according to Iranian statements and U.S. media reports. Tehran said it shot down the aircraft, while U.S. media reported one of the two crew members had been rescued.
South Carolina

Parris Island protest targets immigration policy

The protest followed changing public statements from federal officials and base representatives about security measures at the installation.

Full story +

Protesters gathered Friday along the road to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island ahead of a graduation ceremony, citing concern about possible immigration-related screening at the base.

The group held signs and used megaphones as family members and friends of graduating recruits arrived. The protest was organized by the Lowcountry Immigration Coalition.

An earlier message on the Parris Island website said federal law enforcement personnel would “be present at installation access points to conduct enhanced screening and lawful immigration status inquiries.” A base spokesperson previously told The Island Packet that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would be present at events to help ensure security for Marines and visitors.

The website language later changed. It said federal officials would be present because of “increased force protection measures” and to “expedite enhanced base access procedures,” without specifically mentioning immigration enforcement.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said their agents would not be present at the base for recruit family and graduation events. Base representatives said the Marine Corps would “never discuss specific agency participation.”

A base press release said support from federal law enforcement partners was “essential” to maintain “thorough and efficient screening while minimizing delays.”
North Carolina

NC AG joins lawsuit over mail voting order

Jackson said the order could lead to absentee ballots being rejected, particularly for active-duty service members who may be deployed close to an election.

Full story +

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a legal challenge to a presidential executive order on mail-in voting, saying it could affect hundreds of thousands of voters, including military members.

The order directed the Department of Homeland Security to create a list of eligible voters and provide it to states at least 60 days before an election. It also directed the U.S. Postal Service to accept mail-in ballots only from voters on that list.

Jackson said the order violated the U.S. Constitution by interfering with states’ authority to administer elections, as well as federal and state laws.

He also said the policy could affect voters displaced by natural disasters. Jackson pointed to past storms in North Carolina that forced residents from their homes close to election periods and made mail-in voting critical.

Jackson joined attorneys general from more than 20 states and Pennsylvania’s governor in the lawsuit.
North Carolina

Swansboro launches traffic unit, targets violations

Swansboro police launched a traffic unit focused on violations and crash investigations, with school zones among its priorities.

Full story +

Swansboro police launched a traffic unit to focus on enforcement and crash investigations, adding to regular patrols as the town responds to multiple crashes each month.

Police and fire officials in Swansboro responded to multiple crashes each month, according to the article. Officers in the new unit will target stop sign, red light, and speeding violations, with a focus on high-traffic areas, including school zones.

Officials said a recent traffic study found nearly half a million vehicles passed through Swansboro in 28 days. As the area grows, state data showed Onslow County’s population increased by more than 4% between 2021 and 2024.
North Carolina

Jacksonville man charged in fatal Maynard Boulevard stabbing

Authorities said a 19-year-old Jacksonville man was charged after a fatal stabbing Friday on Maynard Boulevard.

Full story +

A Jacksonville man was charged with murder after a fatal stabbing Friday afternoon at a home on Maynard Boulevard, according to the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded about 12:18 p.m. Friday, April 4, to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at the residence. The sheriff’s office said the suspect was detained at the scene.

Barry Keith Cooper, 47, of Jacksonville, was identified as the victim. He was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died, the sheriff’s office said.

Shakin Zion Bullock, 19, of Jacksonville, was charged with an open count of murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, according to the sheriff’s office. He was being held without bond.

Bullock was scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday, April 6.

The sheriff’s office asked anyone with information to contact investigators. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers, which is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest.
South Carolina

Port Royal questions $1.3M apartment tax exemption

State law allows a limited liability company that provides low- to moderate-income housing to qualify for a property tax exemption.

Full story +

Port Royal officials said a 2025 property tax exemption for The Preserve at Port Royal cut expected town revenue by $349,867, about 6% of its budget, and raised questions about a state law tied to affordable housing.

County tax records showed the 400-unit apartment complex paid about $1.2 million annually from 2022 through 2024, but owed no property taxes in 2025. The town said the total tax break was about $1.3 million, including losses to Beaufort County Public Schools, Beaufort County, and green space conservation funding.

Officials said they were not notified before passing the town budget June 11. Town Manager Van Willis said he learned of the reduced tax bill after seeing a March 9 post on Nextdoor from local business owner Kevin O’Brien asking how the property had gone from paying $1.3 million in taxes to $6,000.

The town said Beaufort County Public Schools lost $726,126, Beaufort County lost $259,000, and green space conservation funding lost $13,000.

According to Port Royal, state law allows a limited liability company that provides low- to moderate-income housing to qualify for a property tax exemption. Sundance Bay LLC, a Salt Lake City-based real estate private equity firm that bought the property for $92 million in 2021, created HOM Preserve at Port Royal LLC, which the town described as a nonprofit affordable housing entity. It received the exemption in 2025.

Port Royal officials said a Freedom of Information Act request to the South Carolina Department of Revenue showed parts of the application were redacted, including the number of units designated for low- and moderate-income residents.

On its website, The Preserve said households earning between $38,000 and $88,000 might qualify for affordable housing. Willis said a town firefighter earning $48,000 called to ask about an affordable unit and was quoted $1,450 a month for a one-bedroom. The town said that rent would equal nearly 38% of his annual income.
\top\

Artemis II crew passes midpoint en route to Moon

NASA also released initial images taken from inside Orion, including a full view of Earth showing blue oceans and cloud cover.

Full story +

NASA said the Artemis II astronauts passed the halfway point between Earth and the Moon on Saturday as they traveled toward a planned lunar flyby.

The milestone came about two days, five hours, and 24 minutes after the Orion spacecraft launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, according to NASA. The agency’s online dashboard showed early Saturday that Orion was more than 229,000 kilometers, or 142,000 miles, from Earth.

NASA official Lakiesha Hawkins said during a Friday briefing that the photographs taken by commander Reid Wiseman were “amazing.”

“We continue to learn all about our spacecraft as we operate it in deep space with crew for the first time,” Hawkins said. “It’s important to remind ourselves of that as we learn a little bit more day by day.”

Astronaut Christina Koch said the crew had a collective “expression of joy” after being told they had reached the midpoint. “We can see the Moon out of the docking hatch right now, it is a beautiful sight,” Koch said around 11 p.m. Friday, according to NASA’s live broadcast.

The four-person crew includes Americans Koch, Victor Glover, and Wiseman, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen. Hansen, on his first trip to space, told reporters late Thursday: “There has been a tremendous amount of disbelief for me, it’s just so extraordinary.” He added, “I really like it up here. The views are extraordinary.”

NASA said the astronauts continued equipment checks and tests after launch and an engine firing set Orion on its path around the Moon. Friday’s schedule included a CPR demonstration, medical kit checks, and preparation for scientific observations planned for day six of the mission, when the spacecraft is closest to the Moon.

NASA officials said Friday that all systems were performing well and that the astronauts were in “great spirits” and had spoken with their families.

The next major milestone in the roughly 10-day mission is expected overnight Sunday into Monday, when Orion enters the Moon’s sphere of influence and lunar gravity exceeds Earth’s pull on the spacecraft. The mission is due to loop around the Moon early next week, a feat not accomplished in more than 50 years.

The Artemis II mission is part of NASA’s longer-term plan to return astronauts to the Moon repeatedly and establish a permanent lunar base for further exploration.