Politics news summaries
Essential facts and source links for recent politics stories.
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Fox carried taxpayer-funded Trump ad during football before midterms
Fox aired a taxpayer-funded ad featuring President Donald Trump during college football Saturday and NFL games Sunday, weeks before the midterms. The third such ad in recent days drew criticism from both parties; AdImpact says it has cost taxpayers more than $362,000 so far. -
Ohio Pride Caucus accuses state party of deleting posts on Kaptur ads
Pride Caucus member Ari Childrey says the Ohio Democratic Party deleted the caucus’s social media reshare criticizing Rep. Marcy Kaptur’s anti-trans ads. On Sept. 23, the caucus reshared a county Democrats’ call for Kaptur to take the ads down; the post was deleted twice. -
Trayon White bribery trial ends in mistrial after jury deadlocks
A federal judge declared a mistrial in Washington, D.C., Council member Trayon White’s bribery trial after jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict. Prosecutors plan to retry him over allegations he took cash to help extend city contracts; White pleaded not guilty. -
Karl Rove says he’ll vote for a Democrat after 30 years backing GOP
Rove says he’ll vote for a Democrat in the midterms, ending 30 years of backing Republicans. The Texas Tribune reported he plans to vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal over Republican Bo French in the Texas Railroad Commissioner race; he criticized the GOP’s far-right ties. -
Trump says Iran war is still underway, expects victory soon
President Donald Trump said Monday, seven months into the Iran war, that it remains underway and he expects to win it “very soon,” repeating a remark from Sunday. That contrasts with months of his claims that the conflict was effectively over and already won. -
Trump announces plans for $15 billion Iowa steel plant he calls US's largest
President Donald Trump announced plans for Mesabi Metallics to build a $15 billion steel plant in Iowa, which he called the largest in US history. The White House said the facility would use ore from the company's new iron mine in Minnesota. -
Judge bars Trump administration from withholding counterterrorism funds over state election rules
Judge Amir Ali blocked the Trump administration from withholding counterterrorism grants over states’ election rules, ruling federal agencies lacked congressional authority to impose the conditions. Those included citizenship checks for voters and election workers. -
Trump dismisses Obama's thought experiment about women leading governments
President Donald Trump called Barack Obama’s suggestion that women lead every government for two years “ridiculous” in a press exchange Saturday, adding, “I love women.” Obama had said the world would be better under female leadership. -
Karl Rove calls Bo French a Nazi, says Paxton is struggling in Senate race
At the Texas Tribune Festival, Republican strategist Karl Rove said his party was being infiltrated by “people like Bo French,” whom he called a Nazi, and said Ken Paxton is struggling against Democrat James Talarico in the Texas Senate race, citing Paxton’s multiple scandals. -
Trump criticizes Canada as Ottawa seeks closer EU ties
Donald Trump called Canada “one of the worst countries” to deal with, accusing Ottawa of treating the U.S. unfairly and imposing tariffs of “400% and more” on some American farm goods. The remarks come as Ottawa seeks closer European ties amid an escalating trade dispute. -
Alito recuses from Boulder climate case after calls over oil holdings
Justice Samuel Alito recused himself Monday from the Supreme Court case involving Boulder, Colorado, officials’ climate lawsuit against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil. Calls for his recusal cited his holdings in other oil companies; the court letter gave no reason. -
Medicare Advantage's average monthly premium falls to $12 in 2027; Part D rises to $36
CMS says Medicare Advantage premiums will average $12 a month in 2027, down from $14.37, while stand-alone Part D premiums rise to $36 from $35.09. Enrollees can switch plans during open enrollment Oct. 15-Dec. 7 for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2027. -
Andrew Bailey to leave FBI deputy post and return to family in Missouri
FBI co-deputy director Andrew Bailey announced Monday that he is stepping down to return to his family in Missouri. He praised Director Kash Patel in his statement, while several US media outlets reported the two had a strained relationship. -
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to overturn blocks on trans inmate care ban
The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to reverse orders blocking its ban on gender-affirming care for transgender federal inmates, arguing it is needed for prison security. The case involves three inmates whose prescribed hormone treatments were suspended. -
Polls show strong youth interest ahead of 2026 midterms, but turnout remains uncertain
Polls suggest young voters may turn out in unusually high numbers in the 2026 midterms: over 95% of 18- to 29-year-olds in an Emerson poll said they were excited to vote, and 56% in a Tufts survey said they were extremely likely. Turnout is not assured. -
DOJ outlines election cases involving 12 people across seven districts
The Justice Department announced cases involving 12 people in seven federal districts over alleged noncitizen voting and false citizenship claims; two defendants have pleaded guilty. Utah prosecutors say a postal worker discarded about 300 mail-in ballots. -
Jan. 6 defendants seek restitution in suit alleging rights violations
A group prosecuted over the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack is suing the federal government for restitution, alleging constitutional violations. Plaintiff Lisa Eisenhart says her prosecution and detention caused physical, emotional, reputational and economic harm. -
Trump Appears to Nod Off During $15 Billion Iowa Steel Plant Announcement
Trump appeared to nod off Monday as Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Mesabi Metallics chairman Rewant Ruia discussed a $15 billion steel-plant plan for eastern Iowa. The report says his later replies to reporters were quiet and brief, and his speech was slurred. -
Trump administration ads air during midterms, with estimated taxpayer cost above $1.7 million
Trump administration ads aired during football broadcasts as November midterm voting began; NBC News reported AdImpact estimates put their taxpayer-funded cost above $1.7 million. The White House calls the spots public service announcements, not campaign ads. -
After about a year, Andrew Bailey is leaving FBI's co-deputy director role
Andrew Bailey will leave the FBI's co-deputy director post after about a year, saying he is stepping down to return to his family in Missouri. The FBI has not said whether it will name a replacement or Chris Raia will remain the sole co-deputy director. -
White male gamer in Sanders’ Arkansas welfare ad draws far-right backlash
Far-right commentators attacked Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ welfare-work ad for portraying a white male gamer as choosing not to work; some said it should have shown a Black person, while others claimed it singled out white men. -
Trump criticizes Maher and Scarborough’s ratings; Morning Joe says it leads in D.C.
Trump criticized Bill Maher’s and Joe Scarborough’s ratings Monday, saying “Morning Joe” would soon be “dead.” Scarborough replied that it is D.C.’s No. 1 cable morning show; Mediaite put its August average at 733,000 viewers, up 27% year over year. -
US announces visa revocations for 27 Latin American officials and relatives
The State Department said Monday it is revoking visas for 27 Latin American officials, former officials and family members, including Bolivia Attorney General Roger Mariaca, over corruption accusations. The targets are from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. -
Senate to start procedural votes on data-center bill without payment mandate
The Senate’s first procedural vote is Wednesday on the Ratepayer Protection Act, which directs state regulators to consider making data-center developers pay costs of serving data centers but requires no payment; passage before the election break is unlikely. -
Haymanot Kasau’s parents seek urgent hearing over protest camp refusal
Parents of missing Haymanot Kasau asked Jerusalem District Court Monday to expedite their challenge to the city’s refusal of a month-long protest camp near the Prime Minister’s Office. They want the Shin Bet to take over the open investigation; the case is pending. -
Mahmood says UK proposal to double most migrants’ settlement wait could change
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is open to revising plans to extend most migrants’ wait for indefinite leave to remain from five to 10 years, after pressure from Labour MPs including Angela Rayner and trade unions; no final decision has been made. -
How originalism shapes the Supreme Court’s reading of the Constitution
Most U.S. Supreme Court justices partly follow originalism, reading the Constitution as understood when written. Supporters say amendments, not judges, should change it; critics cite unclear history and the exclusion of women and Black people from its creation. -
FTC seeks input on platform liability for impersonation scam ads
The FTC voted 2-0 to seek public input on whether social media, search engines and online marketplaces may violate its impersonation rule when their ad systems help scammers pose as businesses or government agencies, and what screening should be required. -
Trump administration finalizes rule rolling back LGBTQ students' Title IX protections
The Trump administration finalized a rule Monday rolling back Biden-era Title IX protections for LGBTQ students. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said it reflects court orders; opponents say it will weaken safeguards and recourse for sexual-assault survivors.
