White House accuses China of ‘industrial scale’ theft of AI technology, FT reports

2026-04-23 14:27:26 UTC / Reuters

节点运行失败

The flags of the United States and China wave in the wind in New York City, U.S., February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

April 23 (Reuters) – The White House has ​accused China of ‌undertaking industrial-scale theft of U.S. ​artificial intelligence ​labs’ intellectual property and ⁠warned it ​would crack ​down on a practice that exploits U.S. ​innovation, the ​Financial Times reported on ‌Thursday.

The ⁠report cited a memo written by Michael ​Kratsios, ​director ⁠of the White House ​Office of ​Science ⁠and Technology Policy.

The Reuters Iran Briefing newsletter keeps you informed with the latest developments and analysis of the Iran war. Sign up here.

Reuters could not ⁠immediately ​verify ​the report.

Reporting by Ruchika ​Khanna in Bengaluru

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

航道空域公共资源成大国竞逐工具 中小国恐被迫站队

2026年4月23日 21:16 / 联合早报

AI摘要

• 台湾总统赖清德原定出访斯威士兰受阻，因三国取消飞航许可。
• 美国和伊朗围绕霍尔木兹海峡的封锁与通航争议升级，影响全球能源运输。
• 这些事件反映大国正利用空域、航道等关键节点施加政治压力。
• 中小型国家可能被迫在大国竞争中站队，面临更多限制和挑战。

本摘要由AI辅助生成，仅供参考

美军4月20日公布画面显示，美方在阿拉伯海靠近遭扣押的伊朗籍货船“图斯卡号”巡逻，反映美伊冲突下海上通道与航运节点的战略风险升高。 （路透社）

台湾总统赖清德原定出访非洲国家斯威士兰途中受阻，以及美伊围绕霍尔木兹海峡的封锁与通航争议，成为过去几天全球关注的两大地缘政治热点话题。这两起事件反映大国正透过对空域、航道等关键节点的掌握与影响，把原本应服务于安全与流通的国际公共资源，转化为遂行政治目的的杠杆。

赖清德原定星期三（4月22日）出访斯威士兰（Eswatini，台称史瓦帝尼），台湾总统府前一天临时宣布，因专机航程途经的塞舌尔、毛里求斯和马达加斯加三国，在北京施压下无预警取消飞航许可；经安全评估后，决定暂缓出访，改由特使代表赴会。

在美国国会议员接连发声谴责北京施压后，美国国务院发言人星期三正式对此事表达关切，并将此事定性为对国际民用航空体系的滥用。

美国国务院发言人对路透社指出：“这些国家应中国要求，干扰到台湾官方例行访问的安全和尊严。”

这名发言人批评，相关非洲国家受委任管理的部分飞航情报区，涵盖超出其领空范围的国际空域，这项责任本应单纯服务飞行安全，而非成为政治工具。不过，他并未点名是哪些非洲国家。

英国在台办事处代表包琼郁（Ruth Bradley-Jones）与欧盟发言人也公开表态，强调领空管理决定不应被用来达成政治目的。

对于美国的指控，中国大陆外交部发言人郭嘉昆星期四（23日）在例行记者会上则批评：“美方对中方捍卫国家主权和领土完整的正当行动指手画脚，对有关国家维护一个中国原则的正义之举横加指责，完全是混淆是非，颠倒黑白。中方坚决反对，绝不接受。”

尽管北京否认施压，并指相关国家是依“一个中国原则”作出决定，但这起事件仍凸显空域与飞航许可已不再只是技术性行政安排，而可能被嵌入外交施压与政治表态。

美国大西洋理事会中国研究中心非常驻研究员宋文笛接受《联合早报》采访时形容，这是“对天空的武器化”，即把原本大致不具政治性的治理领域加以政治化。

他认为，北京过去无法阻止外国政要访台，如今则进一步试图限制台湾领导人进入其他国家，可视为一种对台湾的“空中围堵”，目的在于降低台湾议题的国际能见度与重要性。

不过，围绕霍尔木兹海峡的局势，美国同样运用对航运关键节点的掌握，展现更高强度的战略操作。

霍尔木兹海峡是全球最重要的能源运输咽喉之一，承载全球约五分之一石油与液化天然气海运量。自美国、以色列对伊朗的冲突在2月28日前后升级后，海峡通行即受冲击；尽管美伊4月初停火，伊朗仍要求船只贴近领海航行，当时通行量不到正常水平一成。

之后，美国总统特朗普在和谈破局后宣布，对进出伊朗港口船只实施海上封锁，并于4月13日起生效；到4月22日，伊朗革命卫队又在海峡扣押两艘商船，并表明在美方封锁未解除前，重启通行“不可能”。

整体而言，自冲突升级以来，霍尔木兹海峡的通行秩序，已由单一“开放航道”转变为美伊双方透过封锁、拦截与扣船交互塑造的高风险区域。

中国现代国际关系研究院中东研究所副所长秦天接受央视新闻访问时指出，这种海上封锁可被视为美国对伊政策中的“折中选项”，既能维持压力，又可避免冲突进一步升级，是一种中间手段。

秦天指出，封锁也被视为美方将施压重心由军事打击转向经济压迫的重要表现，借由冲击伊朗高度依赖霍尔木兹海峡的油气出口，测试伊朗经济韧性，并增加谈判筹码。

这也反映出，关键海上节点如今已成为兼具威慑、制裁与谈判功能的复合性工具。

若进一步把赖清德出访受阻，以及霍尔木兹海峡的封锁争议放在同一框架下观察，无论是国际空域、飞航情报区，还是海上咽喉与港口航道，这些构成全球化日常运作基础的流通节点，如今正成为大国对外施压、限制行动空间与塑造谈判条件的工具。

台湾成功大学政治学系教授王宏仁接受本报采访时指出，原本具有公共性、制度性或基础建设性质的事物，如果被拿来施压、作为谈判或惩罚工具，就是“政治化”；若进一步提高或改变安全风险，则带有更强烈的“武器化”性质。因此，这两起事件也只是不同层次的表现。

这样的趋势，对中小型国家的影响尤其深远，因为这些国家多数缺乏改写国际规则的能力，却高度依赖航线、航道、能源运输与跨国制度安排的稳定性。

王宏仁也提到，中美竞争已不仅限军事层面，更延伸至科技、话语权及国际秩序主导权；在不愿直接开战的前提下，两强将更倾向透过控制航道、港口、通讯网络甚至海底电缆等关键节点，限制对手的行动空间与资源。“这些流通节点正在成为可以在不开战情况下，削弱对手能力的重要工具”。

他认为，当前情势构成复合型挑战，“这种压力最后可能让中小型国家在大国竞争之下，被迫面临站队的选择”。

以军空袭加沙北部广场 五人死亡多人重伤

2026年4月23日 23:37 / 联合早报

以军空袭加沙北部广场 五人死亡多人重伤

4月23日，在加沙地带中部布雷吉（Bureij）巴勒斯坦难民营以南的萨拉赫丁街，人们正在查看一辆以色列空袭摧毁的民用车辆。空袭造成三人死亡。 （法新社）

巴勒斯坦安全部门消息人士说，以军袭击加沙地带北部拜特拉希亚地区，造成包括三名儿童在内的五人死亡。

消息人士说，一架以军无人机星期三（4月22日）晚间向加沙北部地区一处公共广场上的人群发射了一枚导弹，造成五人死亡，另有多人重伤。

新华社引述以色列国防军23日发表的声明说，22日晚在加沙北部靠近黄线附近区域发现数名巴勒斯坦伊斯兰抵抗运动（哈马斯）武装分子，以军发动空袭致他们身亡。

哈马斯发言人哈齐姆·卡西姆23日发表声明说，以军直接针对平民和儿童的军事行为证明了以色列种族灭绝政策，严重违反国际法和人道主义原则；同时表明所谓的“和平委员会”在阻止以方侵犯人权行为和履行加沙地带第一阶段停火协议方面无法履行义务和职责。

卡西姆呼吁停火协议调解国和担保国以及“和平委员会”参与国履行职责，阻止以方对加沙的种族灭绝。

巴勒斯坦加沙地带卫生部门23日发布的数据显示，自2023年10月7日新一轮巴以冲突爆发以来，以军在加沙地带的军事行动已造成7万2000多人死亡，另有17万2000多人受伤。自2025年10月10日停火协议生效以来，已有972名巴勒斯坦人在以方军事行动中死亡、2235人受伤。

Justice Department eases restrictions on some marijuana products

April 23, 2026 / 11:20 AM EDT / CBS News

Washington — The Justice Department announced Thursday that it has issued an order rescheduling certain marijuana products to a lower drug classification, while moving to expedite the process to reclassify marijuana more broadly.

The order was signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and places FDA-approved products containing marijuana and products regulated by a state medical marijuana license in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.

“The Department of Justice is delivering on President Trump’s promise to expand Americans’ access to medical treatment options,” Blanche said in a statement.

The move by the Justice Department follows an executive order signed by Mr. Trump in December that directed the attorney general to begin the rulemaking process to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III. The president also signed an executive order on Saturday that aims to boost research and relax restrictions on psychedelics, including the drug ibogaine, which is used in some countries to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.

Beyond rescheduling those specific marijuana products, the Justice Department and Drug Enforcement Administration are also starting an expedited administrative hearing process to consider the broader rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. That hearing will take place in late June and provides a pathway to evaluating the potential changes to marijuana’s status under federal law, according to the Justice Department.

What the Justice Department order does

Schedule 1 is the strictest classification and, according to the DEA, includes drugs that have a “high potential for abuse and the potential to create severe psychological and/or physical dependence.” Other Schedule I drugs include heroin, LSD and ecstasy. Schedule III drugs are those “with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.” Among the drugs classified as Schedule III are ketamine, anabolic steroids and Tylenol with codeine.

Thursday’s order said the reclassification applies to marijuana, marijuana extracts and marijuana-derived compounds, like delta-9 THC, that are “included in an FDA-approved drug product or are subject to a state-issued license to manufacture, distribute, and/or dispense marijuana or products containing marijuana for medical purposes.”

The Justice Department said the move to reschedule the products “recognizes the longstanding regulation of medical marijuana by state governments and the need for a common-sense approach to this reality.”

Blanche said the shift “allows for research on the safety and efficacy of this substance, ultimately providing patients with better care and doctors with more reliable information.”

The order noted that “any form of marijuana other than in an FDA-approved drug product or marijuana subject to a state medical marijuana license remains a schedule I controlled substance, and those who handle such material remain subject to the regulatory controls, and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions.”

Those that handle FDA-approved marijuana products will now be subject to certain regulatory requirements that apply to Schedule III drugs, including registering with the DEA and following rules for disposal, security and labeling.

For state-licensed medical marijuana entities, the Justice Department’s order creates a fast-track process for federal registration with the DEA. Incorporating state-licensing systems into the federal framework “represents the most effective and efficient means of achieving the” goals of the Controlled Substances Act with regard to medical marijuana while also promoting its benefits, the order states.

Adam J. Smith, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, welcomed the move from the Trump administration, but said cannabis should be de-scheduled entirely.

“Rescheduling cannabis is a historic move towards sanity in cannabis policy. We hope that this will open the door to more medical research, inspires states to guarantee access to safe, regulated cannabinoids for patients who desperately need them, and that the regulated industry might finally be treated more fairly under the federal tax code,” he said in a statement. “But a move to Schedule III stops short of the systemic change we need. It does nothing to end hundreds of thousands of possession arrests each year, nor does it do anything to fix the untenable, ongoing disconnect between federal prohibition and the regulated state markets under which more than half of American adults live.”

Trump’s order

Mr. Trump’s directive in December said that the federal government’s drug control policy has for decades neglected the uses of medical marijuana, limiting the ability of scientists and manufacturers to complete research on its safety and efficacy.

“It is the policy of my Administration to increase medical marijuana and CBD research to better inform patients and doctors,” the president’s executive order states. “It is critical to close the gap between current medical marijuana and CBD use and medical knowledge of risks and benefits, including for specific populations and conditions.”

Mr. Trump had said during his 2024 presidential campaign that he supported rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III drug to unlock potential medical uses. He said he would be backing a Florida ballot amendment that sought to legalize marijuana for recreational use. The proposal, however, was rejected by Florida voters in November 2024.

The move by the Justice Department follows years of state action to legalize recreational and medical marijuana use. Twenty-four states and the District of Columbia allow for adult recreational use and 38 states have medical marijuana programs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The Biden administration also moved to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, though the rule was not finalized and the drug remained at the most severe categorization.

Broader rescheduling would not legalize or decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. But it clears the way for more research into marijuana and expanded medical uses. The shift could also lead to a lower tax burden for state-licensed marijuana dispensaries in the places that have legalized the drug.

Joe Walsh and Aaron Navarro contributed to this report.

READ: Dr. Oz puts all 50 governors on notice over billions lost to Medicaid fraud

April 23, 2026 10:24am EDT / Fox News

Governors given 10 days to verify provider enrollment data after officials identified roughly $1B in unaccounted-for funds

By Ashley J. DiMella Fox News

FIRST ON FOX:Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz is putting state leaders on notice to root out rampant fraud, directing them in letters Thursday to take immediate action within days to identify and remove noncompliant Medicaid providers.

“Corrupt individuals and organizations masquerading as health care providers are defrauding Medicaid, and American taxpayers, of billions of dollars each year, placing valuable resources out of reach for those the program was intended to serve: low-income senior citizens, children, and disabled individuals. Classes of providers with less rigorous enrollment standards…” Oz wrote in a letter, obtained by Fox News Digital, sent to each of the nation’s 50 governors on Thursday morning.

Oz has given governors and state Medicaid leaders 10 business days to tell CMS whether they will commit to conducting a swift “revalidation” of high-risk Medicaid providers and provide a proposed timetable, alongside a separate 30-day deadline for a broader provider-revalidation strategy, escalating federal pressure on states to tighten anti-fraud enforcement.

WALZ’S MINNESOTA MESS COULD SPARK THE TOUGHEST FRAUD REFORMS IN DECADES

“Corrupt individuals and organizations masquerading as health care providers are defrauding Medicaid, and American taxpayers, of billions of dollars each year,” wrote Oz.(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Oz said it is “urgent that action be taken immediately.”

“Failure to commit to the revalidation plan will be considered as we evaluate the likelihood of fraud in each state moving forward,” Oz stated.

States must also submit, within 30 days, a broader two-year strategy outlining how they will review healthcare providers for legitimacy and compliance.

The letters sent to the 50 governors all contained the same information directions, with Fox News Digital obtaining a copy sent to the state of Alabama.

KAROLINE LEAVITT WARNS ‘PEOPLE WILL BE IN HANDCUFFS’ AS FEDS ZERO IN ON MINNESOTA FRAUD SCANDAL

“While the factors contributing to fraud are multifaceted and require a comprehensive approach to address, a revalidation process for high-risk providers will immediately deter criminal actors from continuing their fraud schemes, as the federal and state governments closely review and scrutinize the qualifications of providers to suspend or terminate clearly abusive actors from the program,” Oz wrote.

Medicaid fraud has been of particular interest to the Trump administration.(Pool/Fox News)

The letters target providers at “high risk of waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption,” particularly those with “less rigorous enrollment and billing requirements,” with CMS directing states to include any provider operating without a National Provider Identifier.

A second letter was also sent to each state Medicaid director reiterating the call for a revalidation strategy tailored to each state.

JD VANCE SPEARHEADS ‘WAR ON FRAUD,’ PROMISES TO ROOT OUT TAXPAYER MONEY ‘STOLEN’ BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

“Our analysis of national trends strongly suggests a persistent and growing Medicaid threat posed by sophisticated actors knowingly exploiting these complex systems for financial gain,” Oz wrote.

Proposals must include a methodology and timeline for off-cycle provider revalidation (with emphasis on high-risk providers and those without NPIs); metrics to measure effectiveness and progress (including public reporting); processes for ongoing verification of provider information; strategies to ensure consistency and accuracy of provider data across fee-for-service and managed care systems (including oversight of managed care directories); and coordination with relevant law enforcement partners.

In 2022, Minnesota’s $250 million “Feeding Our Future” scheme has led to a wave of convictions in recent years.(Alex Wong/Getty Images; Rick Kern/Getty Images for Vox Media)

Medicaid fraud has been of particular interest to the Trump administration given the massive fraud scandal that has unfolded in Minnesota.

The push comes amid heightened focus on large-scale fraud cases, including Minnesota’s $250 million “Feeding Our Future” scheme, which became a national flashpoint after surfacing in 2022 and has led to a wave of convictions in recent years.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

A separate state-commissioned review of Minnesota’s Medicaid program this year identified vulnerabilities across 14 high-risk services and estimated that up to $1.7 billion in payments over four years may have been improper — findings that have intensified federal scrutiny and calls for reform.

CMS is also weighing Medicaid deferrals in states, including California, New York and Maine, signaling potential legal battles as federal and state officials clash over enforcement.

Ashley J. DiMella reports on politics for Fox News Digital.

以军空袭加沙北部广场 五人死亡多人重伤

2026年4月23日 23:37 / 联合早报

4月23日，在加沙地带中部布雷吉（Bureij）巴勒斯坦难民营以南的萨拉赫丁街，人们正在查看一辆以色列空袭摧毁的民用车辆。空袭造成三人死亡。 （法新社）

巴勒斯坦安全部门消息人士说，以军袭击加沙地带北部拜特拉希亚地区，造成包括三名儿童在内的五人死亡。

消息人士说，一架以军无人机星期三（4月22日）晚间向加沙北部地区一处公共广场上的人群发射了一枚导弹，造成五人死亡，另有多人重伤。

新华社引述以色列国防军23日发表的声明说，22日晚在加沙北部靠近黄线附近区域发现数名巴勒斯坦伊斯兰抵抗运动（哈马斯）武装分子，以军发动空袭致他们身亡。

哈马斯发言人哈齐姆·卡西姆23日发表声明说，以军直接针对平民和儿童的军事行为证明了以色列种族灭绝政策，严重违反国际法和人道主义原则；同时表明所谓的“和平委员会”在阻止以方侵犯人权行为和履行加沙地带第一阶段停火协议方面无法履行义务和职责。

卡西姆呼吁停火协议调解国和担保国以及“和平委员会”参与国履行职责，阻止以方对加沙的种族灭绝。

巴勒斯坦加沙地带卫生部门23日发布的数据显示，自2023年10月7日新一轮巴以冲突爆发以来，以军在加沙地带的军事行动已造成7万2000多人死亡，另有17万2000多人受伤。自2025年10月10日停火协议生效以来，已有972名巴勒斯坦人在以方军事行动中死亡、2235人受伤。

霍尔木兹海峡封锁战加剧 伊朗首次扣押商船 美称完全控制海峡

2026年4月23日 23:47 / 联合早报

伊朗媒体星期三播放一段视频，显示伊朗士兵当天乘坐小型舰艇，在霍尔木兹海峡拦截并登上两艘集装箱船。 （伊朗伊斯兰共和国广播电视台提供）

（德黑兰/华盛顿综合电）美国和伊朗在霍尔木兹海峡的封锁战中互不相让，伊朗军方周三在海峡向商船开火，首次扣押两艘船。美国则坚称完全控制霍尔木兹海峡，并警告将立即击沉任何在海峡布雷的船只。

伊朗伊斯兰革命卫队海军周三（4月22日）对外宣布，已扣押两艘未经授权通过霍尔木兹海峡的船只。革命卫队也声称这两艘船篡改导航系统，危及海上安全，并将之押回伊朗海岸接受检查。

据伊朗媒体报道，被扣押的分别是悬挂巴拿马国旗的集装箱船MSC弗朗西斯卡号（MSC Francesca），以及悬挂利比里亚国旗、由希腊运营的埃帕米农达斯号（Epaminondas）。

巴拿马外交部谴责伊朗扣押货船，称这是“对海上安全的严重攻击”，也不必要地让局势升级。

白宫新闻秘书莱维特形容伊朗此举是海盗行径，但并不违反停火协议，因为被扣的不是美国或以色列船只。

伊朗媒体周四也引述伊朗副议长哈吉-巴巴埃的话说，伊朗已收到首笔霍尔木兹海峡通行费。伊朗议会上个月批准在海峡征收通行费，美国当时狠批为违法且不可接受。

2月底美伊战争爆发后，伊朗封锁了霍尔木兹海峡。美军随后也从4月13日起，对伊朗港口实施海上封锁。

上星期天（19日），美军在阿拉伯海扣押了一艘试图突破美方封锁的伊朗货船。半岛电视台分析认为，革命卫队如今扣押商船，除了是对美国早前扣船行为作出报复，也对外宣示它正在收紧对霍尔木兹海峡的掌控，并已做好应对局势升级的准备。

美国对伊朗船只的封锁行动 扩大至全球海域

伊朗扣押商船隔天，美国总统特朗普却坚称美军已完全控制霍尔木兹海峡。他在社交媒体上写道：“未经美国海军批准，任何船只都不得进出。海峡已被严密封锁，直到伊朗达成协议为止！”

特朗普在另一则帖文中说，他已下令美国海军，立即击沉任何在海峡布设水雷的船只。他也指示美国扫雷舰，继续并加强在海峡清除水雷。

美国媒体此前引述消息报道，五角大楼评估认为，完成海峡扫雷需要至少六个月，且在战事结束前，相关行动恐难以展开。

美国对伊朗相关船只的执法行动已扩大至全球海域。五角大楼周四较早发声明重申：“我们将继续开展全球海上执法行动，打击非法网络，拦截向伊朗提供物资支持的船只。”声明也指美军夜里在印度洋对受制裁的无国籍船只Majestic X号进行了海上拦截和登船检查。这是美军三天内第二次采取类似行动。

特朗普周三无限期延长对伊朗的停火期限，双方迄今在霍尔木兹海峡等核心问题上仍僵持不下。

伊朗谈判代表、议长卡利巴夫周三称，美国实施海上封锁是公然违反停火协议，在这种情况下重新开放霍尔木兹海峡，根本不可能。

美国封锁行动 成效迄今不明

只是，美国封锁霍尔木兹海峡究竟对伊朗有多大威吓作用，目前仍不明朗。美国中央司令部周三说，自实施海上封锁以来，美军已指示31艘船只掉头或返航，其中多为油轮。

不过，能源与货运市场分析公司Vortexa的记录却显示，美国实施海上封锁一周内，有34艘受制裁且与伊朗有关的油轮进出波斯湾。

海事分析公司Kpler说，美国的海上封锁似乎只是扰乱了伊朗的石油生产却无损伊朗装卸基础设施，伊朗油轮仍继续向中国运送原油。

分析员预测，封锁行动一旦持续超过两三个月，对伊朗的冲击将更显著。

By

Hannah Rabinowitz
,

Steve Contorno
,

Alicia Wallace

Updated 1 hr 43 min ago

Updated Apr 23, 2026, 10:18 AM ET

PUBLISHED Apr 23, 2026, 8:52 AM ET

Drugs in society Federal agencies Taxes

A marijuana plant in San Anselmo, California, on August 11, 2025.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/File

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed an order Thursday reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug, changing a policy that has for decades made the drug’s potential medicinal benefits more difficult to research.

The order from Blanche does not make recreational use legal under federal law. Instead, it moves licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I — which are the most restricted drugs such as heroin and ecstasy — to Schedule III, the same category as some prescription medicines like ketamine and Tylenol with codeine.

It also gives a tax break to licensed medical marijuana dealers and eases some restrictions on researching its effects.

“These actions will enable more targeted, rigorous research into marijuana’s safety and efficacy, expanding patients’ access to treatments and empowering doctors to make better-informed healthcare decisions,” Blanche wrote in a social media post on X.

The Drug Enforcement Administration will also hold administrative hearings before a judge on reclassifying marijuana more broadly, Blanche said.

The effort to downgrade marijuana’s classification has been discussed and attempted by several administrations, but none were successful in finalizing a rule. Former President Joe Biden initiated a new attempt in the last year of his presidency, but it wasn’t completed before he left office.

Critics blamed reluctancy from then-DEA Administrator Anne Milgram for slow-walking the process. The rule had been similarly scheduled for administrative hearings before the end of Biden’s term but was put on pause indefinitely by the DEA’s top judge.

In an executive order last December, President Donald Trump ordered the Justice Department to expedite the process and push through Biden’s proposed rule change.

But there was little public movement in the proceeding months, and advocates of eased regulations grew frustrated.

Trump himself appeared to express frustration about the delay over the weekend, telling podcaster Joe Rogan, a supporter of rescheduling marijuana, at an Oval Office event that “they’re slow-walking me.”

Sources told CNN that in the White House and Justice Department have also faced increasing pressure from the cannabis industry to get the scheduling change over the line.

As a plan to move forward was being finalized, some in the department hoped to publicize its efforts on April 20 — a day of celebration for marijuana enthusiasts — but were told that it would be unseemly, two sources familiar with the discussions said.

Now, the reinvigorated effort is likely to face swift legal challenges from critics who say that the downgrade could encourage recreational use of a harmful drug.

Smart Approaches to Marijuana, an advocacy organization that opposes marijuana legalization, said in a statement that it will be “taking legal action immediately” against the order.

“The only thing today’s decision advances are the interests of an addiction-for-profit industry—and if the president isn’t going to use the Food and Drug Administration as the law requires, why doesn’t he simply abolish it,” the statement said.

Still, loosening restrictions around marijuana is broadly popular. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found nearly six in 10 Americans support the legalization of recreational cannabis.

Twenty-four states, two territories and Washington, DC, have legalized cannabis for adult recreational use, and 40 states, three territories and DC allow medical use of cannabis products, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Since the first adult-use cannabis sale took place in 2014 in Colorado, cannabis has blossomed into a multibillion-dollar industry that has attracted the attention of multinational companies across sectors such as alcohol, agriculture, pharmaceutical and tobacco.

It remains unclear how Wednesday’s rescheduling directive could affect state-legal cannabis businesses that have both recreational and medical licenses.

Kim Rivers, the CEO of the marijuana company Trulieve, thanked both Trump and Blanche for “delivering” on their promise to reclassify marijuana.

“The dual approach of utilizing the treaty pathway and the rulemaking process ensures rescheduling medical marijuana happens quickly and completely and is an unequivocal statement of the President’s commitment to make good on his campaign promise,” she said.

Economic impacts

The federal government acknowledging marijuana’s medical value is not only symbolically powerful but also could serve as a permissive signal to state-level lawmakers currently weighing cannabis legislation, said Brian Vicente, a founding partner of Vicente LLP, a Denver-based cannabis law firm.

A rescheduling would carry practical implications as well, he said, noting one of the most significant being that cannabis businesses might no longer be subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 280E, an early 1980s tax provision that prohibits businesses engaged in the “trafficking” of Schedule I or II substances from deducting ordinary business expenses or claiming tax credits.

“We’re talking about billions of dollars in new economic activity, tens of thousands of new jobs or just really a wind in the sail for this industry that’s really paid a very heavy tax burden for years,” Vicente said. “That would be life-changing for many, many state-legal cannabis businesses.”

Since 2018, cannabis businesses have paid an estimated $15 billion in excess 280E-related taxes, according to an analysis released earlier this month by Whitney Economics. Subject to 280E, some cannabis businesses have an effective tax rate of 70% or more, according to the Portland, Oregon-based cannabis and hemp consulting and economic research firm.

“By removing this tax burden, you’re going to have a substantial positive impact on these businesses, their ability to hire, their ability to pay higher wages, their profitability,” Vicente said. “In somewhat of a challenging economy, this could be a real win for those states that have these businesses.”

The Internal Revenue Service would likely have to issue guidance on moving marijuana to Schedule III, Vicente said.

Another real-world implication of rescheduling would be the acceleration of medical research on cannabis, he said.

“For years in Colorado and across the country, I’ve talked to universities and hospitals that want to allow research, but they’re afraid of federal illegality and losing federal funds,” he said. “While this would not change the legality of cannabis, it would move it to Schedule III, which would help fast-track research and certainly reduce some of the stigma attached to this medicine.”

What is not expected to change, he said, will be the state-level laws and regulations involving recreational and medical cannabis.

Rescheduling marijuana will not solve the longstanding federal-state conflict: The cultivation, manufacture, sale and possession of marijuana for recreational use would remain illegal under federal law and potentially subject to enforcement and prosecution.

States’ legal medical marijuana businesses do currently have some federal protections in place via appropriations legislation that restricts the Justice Department from interfering in these programs.

This story has been updated with additional information.

Sen. Tom Cotton pushes bill to allow drones to be stopped by critical infrastructure operators

April 23, 2026 10:01 AM EDT / CBS News

By Nicole Sganga

Nicole Sganga Homeland Security and Justice Correspondent

Nicole Sganga is CBS News’ homeland security and justice correspondent. She is based in Washington, D.C., and reports for all shows and platforms.

Read Full Bio

Nicole Sganga

Washington — Sen. Tom Cotton is pushing new legislation to grant operators of the nation’s most sensitive infrastructure the authority to defend against and stop potentially hostile drones in real time, arguing that current law leaves our power grid and wastewater plants, along with other high-risk sites exposed to emerging aerial threats.

The bill, dubbed the “Critical Infrastructure Airspace Defense Act,” would allow certain private-sector operators — after federal training and certification — to detect, track and mitigate unauthorized drones posing a “credible threat” to designated facilities. The bill aims to close what lawmakers and security officials describe as a persistent gap in U.S. counter-drone policy: private owners are responsible for securing critical sites but often lack the legal authority to strike back against airborne threats.

“Our hospitals, power plants, water treatment facilities, and other critical infrastructure sites can’t remain sitting ducks,” Cotton said in a statement shared with CBS News.

The legislation builds on bipartisan counter-drone provisions included in the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act and reflects growing concern in Washington over how inexpensive, commercially available drones could be weaponized against key domestic targets.

What the bill would do

At its core, the bill extends limited counter-unmanned aircraft system — or counter-UAS — authority beyond only federal agencies and some state and local law enforcement to include a subset of private infrastructure operators, under federal oversight.

Key provisions

Owners and operators of designated “covered critical infrastructure facilities” — or their trained security personnel — could take action against drones that pose a credible threat, including disruption, seizure or destruction, consistent with existing federal counter-UAS guidance. The legislation defines covered facilities as those designated by DHS as “high risk,” including at minimum nuclear plants, key substations and bulk-power system control centers — signaling a particular focus on the electric grid.

The Department of Homeland Security would establish a certification program within 180 days, in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration, Energy Department and other agencies. Only federally trained individuals using approved technology would be able to exercise this new authority.

The bill would authorize $250 million over five years for infrastructure operators to purchase and deploy federally approved counter-drone systems.

Operators and personnel acting under the authority would receive legal liability protections, except in circumstances of gross negligence or willful misconduct.

DHS would be required to submit regular reports to Congress, including classified assessments of how the authority is being used.

The authority would expire in 2031 unless it’s renewed by Congress.

A narrow expansion

While critical infrastructure ranges across sectors, from hospitals to dams, the bill itself is more tightly scoped. It gives DHS discretion to designate facilities but establishes a baseline focused on the energy sector, long considered by experts to rank among the most vulnerable and consequential targets for drone attacks.

Under current law, most counter-drone authorities are limited to federal agencies such as DHS and the Justice Department, with some roles for state and local law enforcement. Private entities, even those responsible for critical infrastructure, generally can’t interfere with drones due to federal aviation and communications laws.

Real-world incidents drive concern

The push for expanded authority follows a series of incidents and warnings underscoring the potential for drones to target critical infrastructure.

In one of the most cited cases, federal investigators examined a 2020 incident in Pennsylvania in which a drone crashed near an electric substation. According to a joint intelligence bulletin, the device appeared to have been modified in a way that could have caused a short circuit and disrupted electrical equipment — the first known instance of a drone specifically configured to target U.S. energy infrastructure.

In late 2024, a series of drone sightings in New Jersey drew public concern and federal scrutiny. The White House later said there was no evidence of a national security threat but acknowledged the episode exposed limitations in authorities to track and respond to unidentified drones near sensitive locations.

Since then, officials have also warned that even unsophisticated drones can pose serious risks. Small unmanned aircraft can be used for surveillance, to deliver explosives, or to interfere with operations at sensitive sites. Their low cost, wide availability and ease of modification have transformed them into one of the most prevalent concerns for homeland security planners.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has previously issued guidance warning that drones can present both physical and cyber risks to critical infrastructure and has urged operators to improve detection and response capabilities.

Industry groups representing utilities and other infrastructure operators generally support expanded authority, arguing they’re on the front lines of potential threats. Civil liberties organizations and some aviation stakeholders, however, have pushed back, warning that poorly regulated counter-drone measures may create new privacy risks.

The new bill underscores a persistent and growing question facing Congress: namely, how quickly — and how broadly — to empower those responsible for keeping the lights on to defend themselves from attacks.

Pat Fallon launches bid for House Oversight Committee chairman as James Comer’s term limit nears

April 23, 2026 11:01am EDT / Fox News

The Texas congressman is the only declared GOP candidate to replace term-limited Chairman James Comer

By Preston Mizell Fox News

Rep Pat Fallon announces run for chairman of the House Oversight Committee

Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, enters the race for House Oversight Chairman, pledging to expose systemic Medicaid fraud, investigate “draconian” COVID-19 policies and uncover foreign influence in domestic protests to protect American taxpayers.

NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!

Listen to this article

4 min

FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, is throwing his hat in the ring for the role of House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chairman.

House Republicans impose a six-year term limit for committee chairs, meaning current Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., can’t serve in the role for an additional term.

Fallon is now the only declared Republican candidate for the role.

“I think one of the missions should be to expose the hypocrisy and lack of direction of the left. They’re focusing on divisiveness and opposing President Trump,” Fallon told Fox News Digital during an exclusive interview. “How about focusing on the country and the growth and prosperity of the greatest country history has ever known?”

FLORIDA REPUBLICAN REP NEAL DUNN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM CONGRESS AFTER FIVE TERMS

With current Chairman James Comer term-limited, Fallon is the only declared Republican candidate and is positioning himself as a watchdog against government waste and political opponents.(Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)

The Texas congressman specifically pointed out he intends to tackle and expose the rampant fraud that has rocked the country, COVID-19 misuse of taxpayer dollars, and the foreign funding behind agitator groups that have plagued college campuses and cities across the country.

“If a foreign national that is beyond our jurisdiction is funding a protest, anti-American protest, we need to expose the Americans that are taking the funds,” Fallon told Fox News Digital. “The left would have you believe that every political protest is organic. It’s just people that are fed up and they get on social media and they talk to other like-minded folks.

“And they say, the powers that be, we will hold you [accountable]. That’s not what’s going on here,” Fallon added. “If you were in Beijing, if you were a Chinese communist, what better way to chip away at an open society than fund their malcontents?”

Rep. Pat Fallon questions a witness during a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on the U.S. southern border in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 7, 2023.(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

MUTINY THREAT SPARKS HOUSE GOP INFIGHTING AHEAD OF TRUMP VISIT: ‘JUST MORE STUPID’

Fallon was sworn into the U.S. Congress in January 2021. A former Air Force captain and graduate of Notre Dame, he represents parts of northeastern Texas.

In regard to widescale Medicare and Medicaid fraud being exposed in various states across the U.S., Fallon said no states are off limits for investigation, but that mismanagement of state policy can make a difference in fraud prevention.

“Medicare, Medicaid fraud, particularly Medicaid fraud is systemic across the country, red and blue states,” Fallon explained. “The difference is in the red states, where this fraud is occurring, the leadership is far more apt to expose it once they get a hint that something’s going on, [whereas] the blue states largely look the other way. That’s the biggest difference.”

Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, questions U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing on the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on July 22, 2024.(Rod Lamkey Jr./AP)

COMER VOWS MINNESOTA FRAUD PROBE WILL EXPAND TO OTHER STATES AMID MOUNTING SCRUTINY

“If you get caught most of the time, and this is what most Americans have no idea, it’s not even, you’re not even criminally prosecuted,” Fallon continued. “It’s a civil action that’s taken. You’re compelled to pay some of that money back and then you just go along your way. And you can’t work with the federal government anymore.”

“That’s a pretty light sentence for stealing a significant amount of funds,” Fallon added.

The GOP faces an uphill battle in the 2026 midterm elections, which will determine whether the Republican Party maintains the majority in both the House and Senate.

A NARROW MARGIN: TRUMP TAPS HOUSE REPUBLICANS FOR HIS SECOND ADMINISTRATION

President Donald Trump traveled to Nevada and Arizona last week to tout his Working Families Tax Cuts, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes policies surrounding no tax on tips and overtime.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., as well as other Republican senators have been hitting the road for several weeks as the GOP looks to promote economic opportunity ahead of the midterms.

President Donald Trump signed the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act into law during an Independence Day military family picnic on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2025.(Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

“Republicans made big changes to the tax code that benefit millions of Americans, and we need to make sure they know about it. It’s important that Republicans use every opportunity to educate the public on how the Working Families Tax Cuts deliver safe streets, more money in your pocket, and new opportunities to get ahead,” Thune said in a statement.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Should the Republicans lose the majority in the House, Fallon would be the ranking member of the Oversight Committee.

“God forbid we would go into the minority and I would become a ranking member,” Fallon said. “We have to defend President Trump because these folks are infected with wokeness and all they’re going to do is talk about impeachment, 25th Amendment and take their eye off the ball again for American prosperity.”

Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news.