Government & Political News
Reporting on what happened, sourced and dated — with claims and disputes kept clearly separate from verified fact.
Today's top stories and government activity, in one concise read.
Read the brief →Trump says concern about USS Abraham Lincoln is 'a CNN fake report'
President Trump on Monday said concerns over the status of service members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln were "a CNN fake report." Trump lashed out at a CNN reporter amid questions from journalists in the Oval Office...
Judge blocks Trump administration from moving FBI headquarters to DC office building
A U.S. judge has blocked plans to move the FBI's headquarters to a federal office building in Washington
Judge blocks plan to move FBI headquarters to Reagan Building
U.S. District Judge Theodore Chuang ruled that the Trump administration's move to divert funding and cancel a plan to move the FBI to Maryland was "arbitrary and capricious and not in accordance with law."
Florida GOP race draws accusations of carpetbagging
"Carpetbagger" describes people who move somewhere to run for office. In Southwest Florida, six former congressional hopefuls from other states are taking their shot in this conservative stronghold.
Former federal prosecutor is suing DOJ for 'unlawful and retaliatory' firing
A federal prosecutor who was fired earlier this year is suing the DOJ, alleging she was unlawfully dismissed for political reasons tied to her work prosecuting a case against anti-abortion activists.
Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez being investigated over sexual misconduct allegations
The California Democrat has admitted to "personal mistakes" outside his marriage but also says his actions were consensual in nature and did not violate House ethics rules.
DHS defends investigating agency critics and giving them warning notices
Federal officials acknowledged that ICE special agents tracked a New York man to his house, the airport and a hotel to question him about a critical email he sent to the former head of ICE in January.
Sen. Mark Kelly says USS Lincoln sailors 'can't get basic needs met'
NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer talks with Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona about conditions aboard the USS Lincoln and his calls for an investigation into sailors' treatment.
Advocates worry new bans on student IDs will trip up younger voters
New bans on using student IDs for voting in Indiana and New Hampshire have sparked lawsuits after creating the latest hurdles to the ballot box for the U.S. voting-age group least likely to vote.
Navy awarded $22.9B contract to Raytheon to accelerate Tomahawk missile production
On Monday, acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced that the U.S. Navy awarded a $22.9 billion contract to Raytheon to accelerate production of Tomahawk missiles amid a munitions shortage in the months after the start...
Trump voted by mail in Florida primary election: Report
President Trump last week returned a mail-in ballot ahead of Florida's primary election on Tuesday, Politico reported Monday, the second time he has done so amid his unfounded claims that mail-in voting contributes to...
Trump’s South Korea move rattles foreign policy world
President Trump’s decision to reduce joint military exercises with South Korea is being met with derision from Democrats and fears from other allies who are already worried over the president’s past willingness to tos...
Trump explains reduced joint drills with South Korea
Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter {beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security The Big Story Trump explains reduced joint drills with South Korea President Trump said he was turned of...
Kindergarten vaccine exemptions hit all time high
Click in for more news from The Hill {beacon} Healthcare Healthcare The Big Story Kindergarten vaccine exemptions hit all time high The percentage of American kindergartners exempted from MMR vaccines rose sharply in ...
Trump rips allies Oman, South Korea amid escalating tensions with Iran
President Trump is lashing out at rivals and allies alike amid an escalating game of economic chicken between the U.S. and Iran. On Monday, he threatened to "bomb the s‑‑‑ out of" Oman, a day after he told Defense Sec...
CBP halts Big Bend National Park border construction
{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story CBP halts Big Bend National Park border construction Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott said he would halt construction activ...
Fewer adults in new poll say they gamble
Fewer American adults are gambling than a decade ago, according to a new poll. In the Gallup poll, 45 percent of respondents said they had taken part in one or more forms of gambling over the past year, down from 64 p...
Flock tries to quell surveillance fears
{beacon} Technology Technology The Big Story Flock tries to quell surveillance fears Flock Safety is facing a growing backlash across the country from communities and civil liberties advocates concerned over the surve...
Californians divided over billionaire tax
Welcome to The Hill's Business & Economy newsletter {beacon} Business & Economy Business & Economy The Big Story Californians divided over billionaire tax A recent poll shows Californians are split on the one-time tax...
Kindergarten MMR vaccine coverage still below ideal rate to prevent outbreaks: CDC
Vaccination coverage for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) among kindergarteners in the U.S. remains below the ideal rate needed to best prevent widespread outbreaks, according to the latest data from the Centers for D...
Trump's approval drops 2 points in 2 weeks: Reuters/Ipsos poll
One-third of Americans approve of President Trump’s job performance, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos survey. The poll, conducted from Friday through Monday, found that 33 percent of 1,166 respondents approved of the ...
Iraq oil pipeline plan would take years to build, cost billions: Report
An Iraqi plan to develop a pipeline that would export oil through Syria and avoid future disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz is expected to take four years to reconstruct, likely costing at least $15 billion, Reuters ...
Progressives to combat Trump’s ‘Donroe Doctrine’ at PanAmerican Congress
Progressive House lawmakers and far-left Democratic candidates are traveling to Uruguay this week to challenge President Trump’s "Donroe Doctrine" in Latin America. The lawmakers are participating in the PanAmerican C...
Illegal immigrant learns fate after using stolen identity to vote in US elections for decades
Carlos Felipe Jaramillo-Grajales used a stolen Social Security number and passport to register to vote and cast ballots over roughly 20 years, DHS says.
LA gun owners stuck waiting years for concealed carry permits score major DOJ victory
The Department of Justice ended its landmark lawsuit after the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department slashed lengthy concealed carry permit delays.
Harvard, NYU among 30 universities hit with Pentagon foreign-tie audit deadline
The Pentagon ordered 30 universities to audit foreign ties or risk losing federal funding, targeting entities linked to China, Russia and Iran.
Declassified FBI docs reveal Swalwell had sex with 'Fang Fang' multiple times
Former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell admitted to FBI agents in 2015 that he had intimate relations multiple times with suspected Chinese spy Christine 'Fang Fang' Fang.
El-Sayed aide likens GOP opponent's campaign to 'KKK cross burning' over video with Ford pickup
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers' Ford truck video at the Woodward Dream Cruise drew a KKK comparison from an Abdul El-Sayed staffer.
Trump meets teen lifeguard and boy saved in viral ocean rescue at Oval Office
President Donald Trump hosted 16-year-old California lifeguard Ryder Williams at the White House after viral video showed his dramatic ocean rescue.
House Democrat investigated over alleged 'inappropriate sexual contact' with staffer
The House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Rep. Jimmy Gomez over allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.
Mike Johnson taunts Hakeem Jeffries for losing Dems' civil war 'in his own backyard'
Speaker Mike Johnson says Democrats are in an "open civil war" after DSA-linked candidates backed by Zohran Mamdani toppled Jeffries' allies.
NYC drivers shell out $9 congestion toll. City admits it failed to improve air quality
New York City's own Health Department report found no statistically significant air quality improvement after a year of the $9 congestion toll.
ICE calls out ‘depraved freak’ illegal immigrant deported after heinous crime in Dem-run state
DHS called out a “depraved freak" sex offender and illegal immigrant who the agency said it recently deported after he abused his own daughter in Democrat-run Virginia.
DOJ opens new pathway to restore federal gun rights for certain barred individuals
Attorney General Todd Blanche launched a new process for Americans barred from possessing firearms to apply for restoration of their federal gun rights.
US military bases are ‘ill-equipped’ to stop drone swarms, top commander reveals after Rubio's UAP warning
Lt. Gen. Joseph Jarrard warns U.S. military bases lack the sensors and counter-drone systems needed to detect and defeat drone swarm attacks.
House Republican suggests Sen Darline Graham is an 'ally' for the 'swamp'
GOP Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio suggested in a post on X that Sen. Darline Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, is an "ally" for the "swamp."
Ilhan Omar staffer shredded for downplaying healthcare CEO’s killing after Luigi Mangione guilty plea
Omar's operations director defended Luigi Mangione on X after his guilty plea, saying the Epstein files subjects roaming free are the real villains.
Pro-life publisher facing demands to retract calling abortion ‘killing’ fires back: ‘The answer is No’
Live Action's Thomas More Society attorneys reject demands to retract abortion coverage, arguing calling abortion "killing" is protected speech.
GOP freshman firebrand targets global consulting giant over 'plainly illegal' DEI practices
House GOP Rep. Brandon Gill accuses McKinsey & Company of pushing DEI reports that promoted illegal race and gender hiring, costing the U.S. economy $94 billion in a year.
LA teachers patrol for ICE before class as DHS blasts enforcement ‘false narrative’
Los Angeles Unified School District teachers conduct early-morning ICE patrols near schools, photographing license plates and alerting families.
Reporter's Notebook: Daylight saving time fight puts Senate up against a ticking clock
Trump urged Republican senators to release holds on the Sunshine Protection Act, but lawmakers from northern states raise concerns about dark mornings.
US awards Raytheon $22.9B Tomahawk deal as Trump dismisses weapons stockpile concerns
The Department of War awarded Raytheon a $22.9 billion contract to accelerate Tomahawk missile production as Trump dismisses weapons stockpile concerns.
CEO says doing business in state ‘sucks’ as company heads to Texas amid California exodus
Hil Davis moved Digital Brands Group more than 1,300 miles to Round Rock, Texas, citing California's high cost of living and business expenses.
Lawsuit Challenges NH Student ID Voter Restriction
New voting rules in New Hampshire are changing how students and residents prove their identity
Supreme Court asked to review law requiring the Ten Commandments in public schools
Civil rights advocates have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a Texas law requiring the state’s public schools to display the Ten Commandments
In Florida, Wasserman Schultz sparks a debate over what representation means in diverse districts
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz is running for reelection in a new Florida district after Republicans redrew the congressional map
Trump takes aim at longtime ally Oman as Strait of Hormuz remains gridlocked
With no deal in sight to end the conflict in Iran or reopen the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices are up once again. Charlie D'Agata reports.
8/17: The Takeout with Major Garrett
Iran war continues 60 days after memorandum of understanding signed; Florida primaries on Tuesday.
Where the Trump administration's lawsuits seeking voter data stand
The Justice Department has filed lawsuits against 30 states and the District of Columbia in an effort to force them to hand over their unredacted voter rolls containing voters' sensitive information.
House Ethics investigating Rep. Gomez for alleged sexual misconduct
The allegations include "engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer," according to the committee.
Hegseth to go to Iowa to campaign for GOP candidates, sources say
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was scheduled to head to Iowa on Monday to give remarks, speak to veterans and campaign, sources told CBS News.
Trump welcomes 16-year-old lifeguard and boy he rescued to the Oval Office
President Trump praised lifeguard Ryder Williams for his bravery, saying his rescue of a 10-year-old boy in treacherous waters was "incredible."
Ex-prosecutor fired over FACE Act case sues DOJ for unlawful termination
Sunita Doddamani argues that she was terminated as an assistant U.S. attorney because she prosecuted activists accused of blocking an entrance to an abortion clinic.
Supreme Court won't rehear Trump's appeal of $5 million E. Jean Carroll case
The Supreme Court declined for the second time to consider President Trump's appeal in the E. Jean Carroll case.
Jared Kushner met with Hamas leaders in Egypt to discuss Gaza peace deal
Jared Kushner, who is President Trump's son-in-law, is set to meet next with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who rejected the latest peace proposal last week.
CBS News poll on whether Democrats split over socialism
Americans think more young people in office would make politics better.
BBC asks court to subpoena Trump family members for defamation defense
After failing to deliver subpoenas itself, the BBC has asked a Florida court to compel three of President Trump's family members to testify over the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
CENTCOM commander tries to ease concerns about USS Abraham Lincoln
President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have disputed concerns about conditions aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
U.K. prime minister messages with impersonator of top Trump staffer
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham exchanged messaged with someone pretending to be White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
Trump family's World Liberty Financial granted bank status
A Trump-appointed bank regulator has given conditional approval for World Liberty Financial, a crypto business established by President Trump's sons and the sons of special envoy Steve Witkoff, to become a bank. Nancy...
Trump orders Pentagon to "substantially reduce" exercises with South Korea
President Trump said Sunday that the joint military exercises with South Korea are costly and they "send a signal that is totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea.
CENTCOM chief visits USS Abraham Lincoln amid morale concerns
Meanwhile, Israel is being condemned by Lebanese leaders for strikes in the south that killed at least 11 people, including children.
RFK Jr.'s hunt for autism culprits stalls amid Trump's baseless vaccine order
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s closed-door research has yet to produce evidence linking vaccines and autism.
Majority of Americans not satisfied with U.S. economy, CBS News poll finds
A new CBS News poll found 69% of Americans are not satisfied with how the economy is working. With the Iran war in its sixth month, there's still pain at the pump. Aaron Navarro has more.
House ethics panel says it’s investigating Rep. Jimmy Gomez over allegation of ‘sexual misconduct’
The California Democrat said he’d “made personal mistakes outside my marriage” but said he hadn’t violated the law or House Ethics rules.
A Democratic warning sign in Michigan: From the Politics Desk
Happy Monday.
Melania Trump noticably keeping a much lower profile in her second term as first lady
An NBC News analysis found that first lady Melania Trump has done about half as many public events as she did at this point in President Donald Trump's first term, leaving many wondering why. NBC News' Monica Alba rep...
Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it interferes with Strait of Hormuz deal
President Donald Trump threatened to strike Oman if it interferes in a potential deal over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also told the military to cut back joint exercises with South Korea after it stayed out...
Florida Democratic Socialist Senate candidate downplays labels & touts ‘people-centered policies’
Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon (D) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss her campaign for Senate. Nixon, who recently joined the Democratic Socialists of America, discusses the divide within the Democratic party between...
Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it ‘gets in the way’ of Strait of Hormuz talks with Iran
Monday marks the end of a 60-day deadline that the U.S. and Iran agreed to in June to end the war and reach an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.
Send Steve Kornacki your questions about this week’s Florida primaries and more
ill start breaking down all the results at the big board.
Supreme Court turns away Trump’s latest bid to block E. Jean Carroll award
The Supreme Court turned away for a second time President Donald Trump’s bid to overturn a jury verdict that awarded $5 million to writer E. Jean Carroll and found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation.
'What are we going to do?' The mom of a trans teen grapples with Trump's Medicaid move
A longtime Republican living in California says the Trump administration's continuing actions to target transgender youth take a personal toll.
In Florida, Congressman Byron Donalds' seat is up for grabs for Republicans
In southwest Florida, ten Republicans are vying for the nomination to replace Rep. Byron Donalds. With the majority of candidates from outside the state - it's raising questions about representation.
Polls everywhere in primary season. Can they be trusted?
How reliable are political polls right now? NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben speaks to G. Elliott Morris from the data-driven news website, Strength In Numbers.
Politics chat: Democrats take lessons from the primaries, set 2028 calendar
We look at how the Democrats are gearing up for the 2028 presidential primaries, as well as their takeaways from the current batch of primary races.
Republicans won the redistricting competition. Don't tell that to this California congressman
The national redistricting competition between the parties means California's conservative voters are going through the same thing as Democratic voters in Republican strongholds
8/16/2026: A Psychedelic Journey; The Mardi Gras Indians; The Indomitable Margaret Atwood
First, U.S. veterans with PTSD take a psychedelic journey in Mexico. Then, a look at the Mardi Gras Indians keeping tradition alive. And, Margaret Atwood: The 60 Minutes Interview.
Trump orders military to ‘substantially reduce’ joint exercises with South Korea
The president said he has directed the Pentagon to scale down the exercises, citing South Korea’s refusal to join the war in Iran and his “very good” relationship with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
Rep. Ro Khanna calls for ‘Data Center Bill of Rights’ and says the industry needs regulation
The California congressman also laid out how he believes he differs from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as both progressives are floated as potential presidential candidates.
Attorney General Todd Blanche says DOJ may take states’ voter roll fight to Supreme Court
Todd Blanche said there’s a “possibility” that the Justice Department will ask the Supreme Court to rule on cases in which the federal government’s is trying to gain access to state voter rolls ahead of November’s mid...
Democrats disagree over abolishing or reforming ICE at DNC meeting
Democrats have approved dueling messages on immigration enforcement, disagreeing on whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement should be abolished or reformed
Democrats' 2028 presidential calendar gives Black and Latino voters and union members an early say
Democrats seeking the party’s presidential nomination in 2028 will need to prove themselves early on in states where Black and Latino voters and union members are key supporters
Democrats set their 2028 primary calendar, with South Carolina going first
The party’s new road map pushes Black and Latino voters and labor to the front of the line for choosing Democrats’ presidential candidate.
What’s next for Democrats — in November and 2027: From the Politics Desk
In today’s edition, “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker looks at Democrats’ recent primary results and digs into what they might mean for governing next year.
Homicides dropped 18.1% in 2025 to the lowest rate since 1956, FBI says
The homicide rate in the United States dropped to the lowest it’s been in 75 years
Appeals court sides with Trump in fight over subpoena of gender-affirming care provider
A federal appeals court says President Donald Trump’s goal of ending gender-affirming care is not improper and cannot be the basis for quashing a subpoena
US Rep. Russell Fry endorses Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina Republican Senate runoff
Congressman Russell Fry says he's supporting Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina's Republican Senate primary runoff
Trump set to highlight violent crime reduction during a visit to New York police academy
President Donald Trump plans to highlight his record on crime and safety during a visit to a New York police academy on Friday
Iowa Republican Zach Lahn confronts curiosity, and concerns, in outsider bid for governor
Zach Lahn, the Republican nominee for Iowa governor, says he's bringing a different message to Iowans
Jared Kushner to visit Israel and Egypt next week with Board of Peace officials to talk Gaza
President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and negotiator Jared Kushner will travel to the Middle East next week to try to advance plans for an end to the conflict in Gaza after a deal recently announced by the Trump a...
Trump orders the Navy to return to an older system of launching jets off aircraft carriers
President Donald Trump is ordering the U.S. Navy to remove the advanced system used to launch fighter jets from its newest type of aircraft carriers and return to using older steam catapults that he has long said he p...
Judge drops Nevada case against electors accused of forging certificate in 2020 election
A judge has dismissed Nevada’s fake electors case
FBI reports record decrease in violent crime in 2025
Both the violent crime and murder rates have decreased annually since spiking in 2022, the bureau has found. President Donald Trump touted the statistics Friday.
Trump dismisses military families’ concerns about grim conditions on USS Lincoln
President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed concerns from families of service members about the grim conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, whose deployment had been overextended in the Middle East due to the Iran ...
Trump asks Supreme Court to allow White House ballroom construction to continue
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday asked the Supreme Court to allow him to continue construction of a sprawling ballroom adjacent to the White House.
Woman arrested and facing felony charges in World War II Memorial vandalism case, DOJ says
A woman accused of vandalizing the World War II Memorial has been arrested in Washington, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced Friday.
Judge shows signs of frustration with DOJ attorneys over handling of Epstein files
The judge said he had “absolutely no desire” to go down the road of holding government attorneys in contempt but gave a history lesson on when he has done so.
Graham Platner to speak at labor rally, one of his first public events since ending Maine campaign
Former Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner is scheduled to be the featured speaker at a Labor Day rally in what may be one of his first public appearances since a sexual assault allegation ended his candidacy
Mission Improbable: Onetime Republican trying to prove Democrats can win in Florida
David Jolly, a former Republican now running for Florida governor as a Democrat, is trying to revive the state's political battleground status
Judge will hear whether Tates should stay in custody as they fight extradition
A federal judge in Miami will hear arguments for whether social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate should remain in custody
Democrats gathering to give final approval to 2028 presidential primary calendar
Democrats are gathering to finalize their 2028 presidential primary calendar this week, setting the stage for a wide open contest to succeed President Donald Trump and chart a path ahead as the party’s voters os...
Republicans see Minnesota fraud scandal as a chance to go on offense in a blue state
Republicans in Minnesota see a chance to regain influence after a fraud scandal rocked state government
Trump imposes 50% tariffs on dairy, alcohol, and cars from Canada
The Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on three categories of imports from Canada, dairy, alcohol, and cars, citing discriminatory actions. NBC News' Monica Alba reports on how Trump is also considering addition...
Map: How much you pay in federal and state gas taxes
As national gas price averages head toward $5 per gallon, one state has already suspended its gas tax, and now President Donald Trump and his Cabinet are talking about doing the same.
What Both Sides Are Saying
Direct quotations, pulled word for word from the reporting above and grouped by who said them, so you can weigh both sides yourself. The Record didn't write or summarize any of these.
Republican & Conservative Voices
No statements on file from this side yet.
Democratic & Progressive Voices
No statements on file from this side yet.
Other Voices — Organizations & Independents
Maryland and Prince George's County committed more than a decade of work to earn the FBI headquarters and pledged hundreds of millions of dollars. By blocking the Trump Administration's unlawful attempt to move the FBI to the Reagan Building and divert the funds Congress set aside for this project, the Court has cleared the path back to Greenbelt.
They didn't even come back and try to say, 'Well, if you look at it in the right light, this could be a threat of violence that is not protected by the First Amendment,'
Student IDs have been a source of attempts at controlling who votes on the part of legislators who want to manipulate the process, and that's not necessarily new,
Trump obviously he's got his mind fixed on Iran right now, and it's pretty clear that he still holds some frustration toward American partners and allies whom he asked for help and rebuffed him, and South Korea is on that list,
He had a good meeting with President Lee in Busan in October, and he also agreed to give technology to South Korea to allow them to build nuclear short submarines, so it's possible that something suddenly changed regarding Iran. But I also think there's a possibility something is going on behind the scenes that we haven't seen yet,