Luke Vargas

Back in Washington, President Trump signed a raft of executive orders yesterday, including one that could overhaul how American elections are carried out, marking a major push in executive branch influence over voting processes typically administered by states.

Back in Washington, President Trump signed a raft of executive orders yesterday, including one that could overhaul how American elections are carried out, marking a major push in executive branch influence over voting processes typically administered by states.

The order creates new proof of citizenship requirements for those registering to vote through federal forms, enlists the DOJ and the Commissioner of Social Security to find ineligible voters, and directs federal election funding to be withheld from states that count mail-in or absentee ballots received after Election Day.

The order creates new proof of citizenship requirements for those registering to vote through federal forms, enlists the DOJ and the Commissioner of Social Security to find ineligible voters, and directs federal election funding to be withheld from states that count mail-in or absentee ballots received after Election Day.

The directive is likely to be challenged in court, and some left-leaning advocacy groups said the president lacked the authority to issue it in the first place. And in a separate order yesterday, Trump widened his retribution campaign against law firms that he perceives as enemies, stripping security clearances from lawyers at Jenner and Block and restricting them from access to federal buildings.

The directive is likely to be challenged in court, and some left-leaning advocacy groups said the president lacked the authority to issue it in the first place. And in a separate order yesterday, Trump widened his retribution campaign against law firms that he perceives as enemies, stripping security clearances from lawyers at Jenner and Block and restricting them from access to federal buildings.

The firm recently backed lawsuits challenging the administration's policies on behalf of transgender individuals and asylum seekers and has ties to Andrew Weissman. a top member of the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The firm recently backed lawsuits challenging the administration's policies on behalf of transgender individuals and asylum seekers and has ties to Andrew Weissman. a top member of the special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The order follows moves punishing other major law firms, including Covington & Burling, Perkins Coie, and Paul Weiss, though the order against Paul Weiss was rescinded after it cut a deal with the White House to provide pro bono services to support the administration's initiatives. Coming up, we'll go inside China's efforts to challenge SpaceX as Beijing gives a boost to private rocket companies.

The order follows moves punishing other major law firms, including Covington & Burling, Perkins Coie, and Paul Weiss, though the order against Paul Weiss was rescinded after it cut a deal with the White House to provide pro bono services to support the administration's initiatives. Coming up, we'll go inside China's efforts to challenge SpaceX as Beijing gives a boost to private rocket companies.

That story after the break. The competition in space is heating up once more, with China's commercial space industry racing to catch up with Elon Musk's SpaceX. This year alone, at least six Chinese rockets, designed with reusability in mind, are planned to have their maiden flights.

That story after the break. The competition in space is heating up once more, with China's commercial space industry racing to catch up with Elon Musk's SpaceX. This year alone, at least six Chinese rockets, designed with reusability in mind, are planned to have their maiden flights.

Journal reporter Clarence Lung told our Kate Bullivant how Beijing is injecting billions of dollars into private sector companies as it aims to create a domestic space industry that isn't dependent on Western technology.

Journal reporter Clarence Lung told our Kate Bullivant how Beijing is injecting billions of dollars into private sector companies as it aims to create a domestic space industry that isn't dependent on Western technology.

Thank you. And that's it for What's News for this Wednesday morning. Additional sound in this episode was from Reuters. Today's show was produced by Kate Boulivant and Daniel Bach with supervising producer Sandra Kilhoff. And I'm Luke Vargas for The Wall Street Journal. We will be back tonight with a new show. Until then, thanks for listening.

Thank you. And that's it for What's News for this Wednesday morning. Additional sound in this episode was from Reuters. Today's show was produced by Kate Boulivant and Daniel Bach with supervising producer Sandra Kilhoff. And I'm Luke Vargas for The Wall Street Journal. We will be back tonight with a new show. Until then, thanks for listening.

Group chat drama Royals Washington after top officials accidentally led a journalist in on sensitive war plans.

Group chat drama Royals Washington after top officials accidentally led a journalist in on sensitive war plans.

Plus, Boeing eyes a chance to withdraw from a Biden-era guilty plea deal, and Canadians get cold feet about traveling to the U.S. It's Tuesday, March 25th. I'm Luke Vargas for The Wall Street Journal, and here is the AM edition of What's News, the top headlines and business stories moving your world today.

Plus, Boeing eyes a chance to withdraw from a Biden-era guilty plea deal, and Canadians get cold feet about traveling to the U.S. It's Tuesday, March 25th. I'm Luke Vargas for The Wall Street Journal, and here is the AM edition of What's News, the top headlines and business stories moving your world today.