NPR News: 03-18-2026 2PM EDT

Heated Senate confirmation hearing for President Trump's nominee for Homeland Security Secretary, Mark Wayne Mullen, alongside Federal Reserve holding interest rates steady amid economic headwinds, updates on the US war with Iran, and scattered domestic developments marked this NPR news roundup.

DHS Confirmation Clash

Oklahoma Republican Senator Mark Wayne Mullen faced bipartisan criticism during his Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing. Chairman Rand Paul pressed him on past remarks calling Paul a "freaking snake" and seeming to celebrate a 2017 physical attack on Paul; Mullen distinguished understanding from approval and pledged to bring "peace of mind" to DHS. Democrats highlighted Mullen's prior blame of two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Predi, for their deaths by immigration agents; Mullen said he should have retracted those statements.

Fed Stays Put as Markets Dip

The Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, citing a softening job market, stubborn inflation, and energy price spikes from the US-Iran war. Wall Street reflected caution, with the Dow down 422 points (over 0.75%), S&P 500 down 0.5%, and Nasdaq down 114 points (0.5%).