Politics and Government News

Stay updated with the latest political and government news. MPR News covers local, state and national politics, providing in-depth analysis and updates on policies, elections and governmental actions.

Trump Pentagon pick had been flagged by fellow service member as possible ‘Insider Threat’
Several of Pete Hegseth’s tattoos are associated with an expression of religious faith, but they have also been adopted by some far right groups and violent extremists.
Politics Friday: Trump’s path to the White House began at the Iowa Caucuses
MPR News senior politics reporter Clay Masters looks back on the 2024 election campaign for the Iowa Caucus to election events leading up to this week when President-elect Trump stepped back into the White House.
RFK Jr. wants to 'Make America Healthy Again.' He could face a lot of pushback
RFK Jr. wants to tackle chronic disease. Despite controversial views on vaccines, his focus on healthy food and taking on special interests may find broad support — and face political headwinds.
What Trump's pledge to close Dept. of Education means for students, GOP-led states
President-elect Trump promised to close the Department of Education. We asked several education policy experts what the impacts of doing so would mean for students and the country.
What’s behind defense secretary pick Hegseth’s war on ’woke’
The selection of Fox News host Pete Hegseth to lead the Trump Defense Department has renewed scrutiny of his political and religious views and his aggressive criticism of the military he would be leading.
Outspent 4-to-1, Republicans still made gains in state legislative elections
Despite outspending Republicans, Democrats didn’t achieve some ambitious goals in state legislative races. The GOP continues to control more legislatures, though Democrats notched some victories.
At a Minneapolis brunch, hundreds of Black women ‘choose joy’ despite Trump win
Sheletta Brundidge organized a brunch for Black women in Minneapolis on Saturday morning after the election that drew over 200 attendees seeking to unpack and recharge. 
What to know North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, tapped by Trump to run the Interior Department
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum to lead the Interior Department. The two-term Republican governor of the sparsely populated state has taken a business-oriented approach to his tenure. 
Trump chooses anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary
A longtime vaccine skeptic, Kennedy is an attorney who has built a loyal following over several decades of people who admire his lawsuits against major pesticide and pharmaceutical companies. He has pushed for tighter regulations around the ingredients in foods.