This Week in the World

Today, we’re focused entirely on our Native American legislative work. This Week in the World is a newsletter which covers breaking news, world events, and actions in Congress every Friday. If you want more updates on Native concerns, the Native American Legislative Update is a monthly newsletter which explores FCNL’s Native American policy advocacy and ways for you to engage your members of Congress.

We are deeply alarmed by President Donald Trump’s authoritarian moves this week to deploy troops into Washington, D.C. and seize control of the district’s police.

This is unprecedented, unnecessary, undemocratic, and unjustifiable.

As an organization based in D.C., we reject President Trump’s offensive and baseless lies about the vibrant communities here that many of our staff love and belong to.

This week marks 80 years since the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

To commemorate these solemn anniversaries, we compiled reflections from a wide range of voices on the enduring legacy of those terrible days, and the road ahead toward a brighter future free from the shadow of nuclear weapons.

Hibakusha (Survivors)

Japanese survivors — known as hibakusha — have spent their lives advocating for peace and bearing witness to the horrors of nuclear war.

In a historic vote on July 30, 27 senators voted to block more U.S. arms sales to the Israeli government.

We applaud these senators for taking a principled stand against our country’s shameful role in enabling the mass starvation and genocidal violence against Palestinians in Gaza.

This week, the catastrophic suffering of Palestinians in Gaza reached “new depths” as mass starvation takes a heart-wrenching toll.

Faith leaders, lawmakers, rights groups, and other advocates are challenging the Trump administration over inhumane conditions at the Everglades Immigrant Detention Center.

The detention center, referred to by the grotesquely offensive name “Alligator Alcatraz,” is holding thousands of people detained in ICE raids across the country, many of whom have no criminal records.

Next week, the Senate is expected to vote on a bill with life-or-death consequences for millions of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Right now, the Trump administration is pushing Congress to cancel, or “rescind,” funding it has already directed towards life-saving foreign aid for people in need.

This weekend, the Senate is expected to vote on President Trump’s “Big Beautiful” budget bill (H.R.1).

Nothing is “beautiful” about this morally bankrupt budget proposal. As one advocate put it, it is better described as a “blueprint for cruelty.” If passed, it will do enormous harm to so many of us – working families, vulnerable children, immigrant communities, and many others.

Israel and Iran are continuing to bomb each other and the situation is getting worse. As in all wars, civilians are suffering the most. Israel launched initial, illegal, strikes last week on Iran’s nuclear program and military leadership.

Developing: Israel attacks Iran military and nuclear program

Last night, Israel suddenly attacked Iran’s nuclear program and military, killing several leaders and scientists. The attacks are expected to continue for days, and Iran is responding.