GOVERNMENT

House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving and Donald Trump arrive for a meeting with the House Republican conference.

What Does the Sergeant at Arms Do?

Both the House and the Senate have their own Sergeant at Arms, and their visibility is highest during the State of the Union address. But what do they do the other 364 days of the year?

Plagued with Rodents, Members of the UK Parliament Demand a Cat

"It's YouTube gold in waiting!"

6 Times Multiple Leaders Reigned in a Single Year

Ancient Rome had four emperors in one year, while France had three kings in six months.

There’s an Invisible Tracking Code Embedded in the Documents You Print

The tiny yellow dots help law enforcement track counterfeiters.

What Was the Original Reason for the 25th Amendment?

The 25th Amendment has been in the news a lot lately. But what led to its establishment in the first place?

14 Secrets of Secret Service Agents

They have ways of keeping tabs on you, and one of them is probably in your desk drawer right now.

10 Everyday Innovations That Came From NASA Research

Helping you clean up small messes since 1981, among other things.

The CIA Uses Board Games as Training Tools

The games were revealed at this year's SXSW.

The Pentagon Is Paying Hackers to Infiltrate Its Systems

The first vulnerability was found within hours of the program's launch.

Indonesian City Considers Erecting a Giant Statue of a Vampiric Ghost

Officials think the spooky attraction would be good for tourism.

Barack Obama being sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on January 20, 2009.

35 Fascinating Facts About Presidential Inaugurations Past

From drunk vice presidents to poisoned pigeons, anything can happen on Inauguration Day—and often does.

Canada’s Parliament Debates the Use of the Word Fart

Should members of Parliament talk about flatulence? It’s controversial.

Can the Electoral College Reverse the Results of an Election?

Every four years, people talk about the oddness of the Electoral College, often leading to questions of whether it can change or reverse the results of an election.