Major US News Roundup: Key Events from February 16–22, 2026

Last week was packed with high-stakes developments across politics, economy, immigration, foreign policy, and weather in the United States. From President Trump’s economic agenda facing a major setback to escalating tensions with Iran and ongoing immigration enforcement actions, here are the top headlines that dominated American news cycles.

1. Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Emergency Tariffs in Landmark Ruling

In a significant blow to President Trump’s trade policy, the US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on February 20, 2026, that his use of emergency powers to impose broad global tariffs was unlawful. The decision invalidated key parts of the tariffs aimed at addressing trade deficits, which critics argued raised costs for consumers and businesses.

Trump responded quickly, announcing plans to replace them with new 10–15% tariffs under alternative legal authority. Public opinion polls showed strong support for the ruling, with 60% of Americans approving. This development continues to fuel debates over US trade policy and economic impact in 2026.

2. US Military Buildup and Potential Strikes on Iran

Tensions in the Middle East escalated as reports emerged of US military preparations for possible limited strikes on Iran. President Trump stated the world would know within days whether a nuclear deal would be reached or military action taken, amid ongoing talks in Geneva.

The US surged forces to the region, while Iran signaled willingness for compromises on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Analysts warn of risks for broader regional conflict, making this one of the most watched foreign policy stories of the week.

3. Immigration Enforcement: ICE Detentions, Protests, and Sanctuary City Pushback

The Department of Homeland Security issued guidance for indefinite detention and rescreening of certain migrants and refugees without green cards, affecting many admitted under previous administrations. This sparked backlash, with mayors in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles vowing to limit ICE operations and prosecute violations of local laws.

Anti-ICE protests continued nationwide, highlighting deep divisions over immigration policy in 2026.

4. Severe Weather Chaos: Massive Winter Storm and Deadly Pileups

A powerful winter storm slammed the Northeast, causing thousands of flight cancellations and warnings of up to 2 feet of snow in areas from New Jersey to Massachusetts. New York City officials described it as the worst in a decade.

Earlier in the week, a blinding dust storm in Colorado triggered a deadly multi-vehicle pileup involving over 30 vehicles, killing at least four and injuring dozens.

5. Other Notable US Stories

• Board of Peace held its inaugural meeting in Washington, pledging billions for global conflict resolution, including Gaza reconstruction.
• Tech executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, faced court over social media addiction lawsuits.
• Ongoing Winter Olympics coverage (Milan-Cortina 2026) saw Team USA achieving record gold medals, including in freestyle skiing and men’s hockey.
• Tragic local incidents included shootings and avalanches (e.g., Lake Tahoe recovery efforts).

These stories reflect a week of political turbulence, economic policy shifts, international brinkmanship, and natural challenges across the USA.

What do you think was the biggest story last week? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned to ClickUSANews.com for daily updates on US breaking news, politics, economy, and more.

Tags: US news February 2026, Trump tariffs ruling, US Iran news, immigration ICE updates, winter storm 2026, Supreme Court Trump decision, major American headlines

Publish Date: February 23, 2026 Author: ClickUSA News Team

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