Section · page 5
Politics archive — page 5 of 22, newest and highest-significance first.
Two U.S. Democrats asked for records about the training of an ICE officer. The officer shot and killed a Colombian immigrant in Maine. The request was made in a letter that CBS News obtained.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer spoke at an anti‑corruption forum hosted by Public Citizen on Thursday. He was joined by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Alex Padilla. At the same time, Schumer avoided answering a Fox News question about whether the Democratic Socialists of America should be part of the Democratic Party. His comments come as Democrats prepare for the upcoming midterm elections.
President Trump said the US Supreme Court's rulings on tariffs and birthright citizenship are very expensive. He said the country is losing 'trillions and trillions' of dollars. Trump made this statement on a social media platform.
James Comey's lawyers say he is being unfairly prosecuted for a photo he posted on Instagram. The photo shows seashells that spell out a number. Comey's lawyers say the prosecution is trying to hurt him.
Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Republican, is seeking another term in Alaska's Senate race. A different candidate, also named Dan Sullivan, has qualified to run against him in the primary. An Alaska judge ruled in June that the challenger can stay on the ballot. Early voting begins on Monday.
Mayor Karen Bass faced a difficult summer with several problems. A fire at a Lineage cold‑storage warehouse caused damage and safety concerns. The number of people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles went up. Many city staff left their jobs, and she is now preparing for a runoff election against Nithya Raman on November 3.
Zimbabwe called for a nationwide shutdown, and Harare was quiet on that day. Security forces were visible on the streets, watching for any protests. Many shops and offices stayed closed or opened only briefly, as owners were cautious. The quiet reflected worries about proposed changes to the country's constitution.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is still in the hospital. He did not attend his usual Kentucky political picnic, the St. Jerome Picnic. Supporters of Representative James Comer were seen at the event. McConnell's absence was noted by attendees.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that decisions about expanding the war with Iran are up to U.S. President Donald Trump. He acknowledged that he and Trump may still have differences on some issues. Netanyahu also spoke about his working relationship with Trump and mentioned a recent conversation with Vice President Vance about criticism of Israel's government.
Patriotic art is becoming very popular this year. This means art about country pride and love for the nation. Money from the government (NEA) is moving to support this kind of art. Some groups, like the Reagan Library, are good at this type of work. They focus on American history and spirit.
Ahmet Davutoglu, who was Turkey's prime minister, has left active party politics. He played a big role in shaping President Erdogan's policies but never managed to challenge Erdogan's leadership. Now he is no longer a member of the ruling party.
A bomb exploded in Colombia, injuring 11 people. The attack happened just days before the country's presidential inauguration. President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella condemned the bombing and said terrorism will not intimidate Colombia.
Kansas is seeing a rapid growth in data centers. This issue has become a major topic in the governor's race. Candidates are using attack ads and accusations to gain advantage. Democratic Sen. Cindy Holscher and Republican Sen. Ty Masterson face criticism over their votes. Republican businessman Philip Sarnecki has spent over $300,000 on ads against Masterson.
Seattle's police chief, Shon Barnes, has resigned. His resignation has increased tension between the city's mayor and Black community leaders. Some people say that under Barnes, relations with the Black community were improving.
Washington state will hold its 2026 primary election soon. The election will show how much influence former President Donald Trump still has over Republican candidates. It will also reveal any splits inside the Democratic party. The results are seen as an early test for the battle over Congress in 2026.
In March, a drone strike hit US forces in Kuwait. Several American troops were wounded. For over a week, they did not get proper hospital care. Democratic lawmakers are asking the Pentagon for explanations.
Hunter Biden sued former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne for defamation after Byrne said Hunter sought a bribe from Iran's government. A federal judge awarded Hunter Biden $1.7 million in punitive damages. Byrne is a Trump ally who denied the 2020 election results and funded efforts to overturn them.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called on the world to act against a possible US invasion of Cuba. He warned that such an attack would threaten peace in the region. Petro asked other nations to speak out and support Cuba's sovereignty.
California Governor Gavin Newsom's office released his and his wife's tax returns for 2022 through 2024. The returns show they earned between $1.7 million and $2 million each year. They also paid about $500,000 a year in federal and state taxes. The office did not release 2025 returns because they are not yet filed.
New York State has sued Kalshi, an online prediction‑market platform, claiming it runs an illegal gambling business. Kalshi says it is a federally regulated exchange and therefore not bound by New York’s gambling laws. The lawsuit is part of a larger debate over who should regulate prediction markets. If the court sides with New York, other states may try to shut down similar platforms.
President Trump said he will revive a $1.8 billion “anti‑weaponization” fund if Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general is not approved. He made the comment after previously calling the fund dead, and after Senate Republicans John Cornyn and Thom Tillis said they will not vote for Blanche unless the Justice Department promises not to create the fund. The Senate Judiciary Committee has set a meeting for Tuesday to reconsider Blanche’s nomination. Some outlets note Trump could keep Blanche
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he does not see 50 Republican votes to advance a budget resolution. President Trump urged the Senate to pass the budget to fund the war in Iran and possibly raise the debt limit. Trump said the votes are there, but Thune replied that must be a different kind of math. The disagreement shows growing tension between Trump and Senate leaders.
Gov. Sherrill in the Hot Seat After U.S. Demand for Noncitizens’ Names
Trump Loved Graham, Not So Much His Beloved Senate
President Trump asked Republican lawmakers to stay in Washington and cancel their August break. He wants them to finish his stalled legislative agenda before the recess. Many Republicans, especially those in tight races, say leaving Washington is important to campaign for the midterms. They fear that staying could hurt their chances of keeping seats in Congress.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was renovated recently. Prosecutors said the renovation work was botched. As a result, the pool has been left empty and surrounded by fences.
Senate Democrats asked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about a vaccine settlement. The settlement is worth $50 million. It involves a vaccine. This happened because of a dispute over vaccine distribution plans.
Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Secretary of State, announced he is running for mayor of Chicago. He says he will build coalitions to solve the city's big problems. He criticizes Mayor Brandon Johnson, saying Johnson has not met the moment. Giannoulias has raised $22 million from business leaders and trade unions.
Recent polls show Donald Trump's approval rating is at its lowest point ever. Several new surveys taken in the last few days confirm this drop. Analysts say his numbers are the worst of his time in office. The trend suggests he is unlikely to change his political approach.
Comey says seashells post was political speech, not a threat, as he presses judge to dismiss charges
Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, is staying low as problems grow around the party's leader. He is said to be in survival mode. The situation shows tension inside the Democratic Party.
Special election for Scott's House seat in Georgia heads to runoff
Some critics say the Smithsonian Institution is showing anti‑American ideas in its exhibits. They point to a display at the American History Museum that links Mickey Mouse to blackface minstrelsy. The critics also note that the museum lacks a permanent exhibit on the Founding Fathers or the Declaration of Independence. They argue that Congress should act to change the museum’s direction.
David Brooks and Jonathan Capehart talked about the news this week. They discussed a big change in the Maine Senate race. Also, they talked about President Trump's words at the NATO meeting. Finally, Rahm Emanuel criticized Israel's leader, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Francesca Hong is leading the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor with 38 percent support. Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is second with 16 percent. At a Marquette University event, she was asked if she still wants to abolish police. She did not give a clear answer, saying the system is not working and money should go to crime prevention.
Bill Maher spoke on his HBO show 'Real Time' about the rise of democratic socialism. He said the movement looks like communism and is growing inside the Democratic Party. Maher warned that the party is being taken over by socialist ideas. He added that his vote could change and he will not support those who praise past enemies or extremist actions.
People in Washington D.C. saw many fireworks for America's 250th birthday. Some photos show a group called Patriot Front marching around the city. These people wear masks and are known as white supremacists. One rider on the Metro shared their story about seeing them. This story is now very popular online.
Five states could take nuclear waste under Trump administration initiative
Kansas Republicans are pushing a ballot measure that would let voters choose state Supreme Court justices instead of the governor appointing them. The measure will be on the ballot for voters to decide on Tuesday. Supporters say electing justices will make the court more conservative. Opponents warn it could weaken judicial independence.
Former President Donald Trump said he will bring back a $1.8 billion fund that aims to stop weapons from being made or spread. He wrote on social media that the fund will be “back on the table” and that he will get it done. The comment came while senators are stuck in a disagreement over other bills, making the Senate work slowly. The fund is called the “anti‑weaponisation” fund and was created to help countries keep weapons under control.
