Politics news summaries — Page 8
Essential facts and source links for recent politics stories.
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Spicer invokes Biden-era pass changes in clash with CNN’s Abby Phillip over Trump ban
Sean Spicer and CNN anchor Abby Phillip clashed over Trump’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters. Spicer compared it with Biden’s pass changes; she cited an AP fact-check on the renewal policy. A judge ordered access restored, but restrictions remain. -
Trump reportedly sought a 15-minute speech before Presidents Cup final
Donald Trump reportedly asked the PGA Tour to speak for 15 minutes at the first tee before Sunday's Presidents Cup final matches in Medinah. Neither the Tour nor the White House confirmed the request; the Tour said it is preparing for a possible visit. -
Maryland task force weighs wider local tax powers amid housing affordability concerns
Maryland's task force is weighing more local power to levy property-related taxes and fees. Housing advocates warn added charges could make buying a home harder. Recommendations are expected in November; lawmakers must approve any expansion. -
Whitmer cites Michigan wins while reaffirming support for trans rights
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she has never wavered on transgender rights despite calls for Democrats to back away from them. Ahead of Saturday’s Human Rights Campaign dinner, she cited wins in swing-state Michigan and urged allies to support LGBTQ+ people. -
Erdogan rejects claim Turkey threatens Israel, plays down war risk
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected claims that Turkey is becoming a threat to Israel, saying the rhetoric is partly tied to Israeli domestic politics. He acknowledged serious differences with Israel but played down the prospect of war. -
Karl Rove says threats followed pledge to vote for John Rosenthal
Republican strategist Karl Rove said threats followed his pledge to vote for Democrat John Rosenthal. He said the Texas Department of Public Safety parked outside his home for a week over what he called “credible threats,” but he was not told their details. -
Four Israeli opposition chiefs pledge cooperation ahead of October elections
Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett, Avigdor Liberman and Yair Golan signed a pledge to coordinate before Israel’s October elections, boost turnout and avoid attacking one another. Hosted by Yair Lapid, their meeting did not settle who would lead the bloc’s prime-ministerial bid. -
GOP doubts Iran war will end by midterms, Schnell says
MS NOW’s Mychael Schnell says Republicans doubt the Iran war will end before November’s midterms, and some candidates fear it will cost them races. An anonymous House Republican told MS NOW, “We’re gonna get crushed,” saying food and gas prices define the midterms. -
Trump says he approved new fuel-economy standards; details remain unclear
President Donald Trump said he approved new fuel-economy standards, claiming they would lower car prices and boost U.S. manufacturing. No final rule or details were released, and it was unclear whether Sean Duffy’s Monday announcement would cover the same changes. -
Trump asks Congress to cancel $810 million before Sept. 30
The Trump administration has asked Congress to cancel $810 million in approved funding, including $567 million for services for refugees and unaccompanied minors. Filed five days before the Sept. 30 fiscal-year end, the request leaves little time for a full review. -
Judge gives CNN, Politico and MS NOW 14 days of White House access
After the White House press pool boycotted Trump’s remarks, a judge granted CNN, Politico and MS NOW 14 days of White House access while their legal challenge to his attempted ban proceeded. The GOP fears his falling approval could hurt its midterm prospects. -
Dale Caldwell resigns as Sherrill defends inquiry into allegations
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned Friday after Gov. Mikie Sherrill demanded he quit amid an inquiry into alleged ethical lapses and sexual harassment. Sherrill defended the inquiry; Caldwell denied the allegations and said resigning was no admission. -
Trump says he approved new fuel-economy standards but gives no technical details
President Trump said Saturday he approved new fuel-economy standards but gave no technical details. A federal estimate put the U.S. fleet at about 34.5 mpg by model year 2031 under his administration’s December proposal, versus roughly 50.4 mpg under Biden-era standards. -
Trump cuts off MS NOW reporter, calls Obama’s view on women in government ‘ridiculous’
President Donald Trump told MS NOW reporter Akayla Gardner to “quiet” after she asked if he wanted tough questions, during a dispute over White House press access. He also called Barack Obama’s view that women-led governments would do better “ridiculous.” -
Lavrov says Europe is obstructing U.S.-backed Ukraine peace efforts
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Europe at the U.N. General Assembly of trying to thwart peace talks backed by the Trump administration. U.S.-led efforts have not produced a permanent ceasefire or peace deal as Russia and Ukraine continue attacks. -
Ken Skates says Welsh Labour has a long road back after defeat
Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates says rebuilding after the party’s May Senedd defeat will take time, with elections due across all 22 Welsh councils next May. Labour fell to third place, winning nine of 96 Senedd seats, down from 30 of 60 in the previous parliament. -
Peter Thiel says Trump loyalty tests favored loyalty over competence
Peter Thiel said Trump’s second administration overcorrected for infighting in his first term by using loyalty tests, resulting in officials he called “not very smart” but loyal. He said the approach could hurt Republicans’ chances in future elections. -
CDC staffing was 30% lower in May 2026 as Kennedy pursued MAHA goals
The CDC had 30% fewer employees in May 2026 than before layoffs began in early 2025, personnel data cited by The New York Times show. Current and former staff say cuts have impaired outbreak response and vaccine guidance as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pursues his MAHA agenda. -
Cuba denounces US oil blockade, cites over 7,000 stranded containers
At the UN, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the US oil blockade, saying US pressure had left over 7,000 containers of food, medicines and medical equipment unable to reach Cuba. Donald Trump said he expected a deal and did not think military force was needed. -
China respects Trump’s “super intelligence” label but won’t use it
China’s foreign ministry said Saturday it respects President Donald Trump’s push to rename artificial intelligence “super intelligence,” but China has no plans to use the term. Trump had said a day earlier that Xi Jinping seemed to favor the change. -
Some Fans Boo Trump at Tennessee-Texas Football Game
President Donald Trump was loudly booed by some fans when he appeared on the stadium's Jumbotron during Tennessee's football game against top-ranked Texas in Knoxville on Saturday, Sept. 26. He sat in a box beside Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn and left quietly at halftime. -
DNC vice chair says John Fetterman should quit if he won’t do his job
DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta on Saturday urged Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) to quit if he cannot or does not want to do his job, saying he could then “spend all day on Fox News.” Kenyatta cited Fetterman’s repeated criticism of Democrats on right-wing outlets. -
Senate defeats Iran war-powers resolution 50-49; Fetterman votes no
The Senate voted 50-49 Thursday to reject a resolution that would limit President Donald Trump’s military actions against Iran. Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against it; Republican Dave McCormick also voted no. -
Trump disputes report Byron Donalds is downplaying Trump's endorsement online
Donald Trump denied reports that Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds was distancing himself from Trump after a site redesign gave Trump's endorsement less prominence. Donalds said he was proud of the endorsement but did not address the changes. -
Report scrutinizes U.S. envoy Kimberly Guilfoyle’s promotion of Aktor
The Wall Street Journal says U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle repeatedly promoted Aktor, whose lobbyist Christos Marafatsos was a frequent presence at her meetings. The U.S. Embassy says she complied with State Department guidance on her Bulgaria trip. -
Trump administration seeks to rescind $810 million in funds Congress approved
The Trump administration seeks to rescind $810 million Congress approved for refugee, immigrant and other services; $567 million is for refugee assistance. Congress has 45 days to act while the funds are paused, but the September 30 fiscal-year end could mean they lapse. -
Karl Rove says ‘credible threats’ followed pledge to vote for John Rosenthal
Karl Rove said credible threats followed his announcement that he would vote for Democrat John Rosenthal, his first Democratic vote in 30 years. He said Texas DPS placed an officer outside his home for a week, but did not say whether the detail continues. -
FortNine traces U.S. motorcycle import ban to Canada’s Harley-Davidson tariff
FortNine’s RyanF9 says the U.S. ban on high-displacement Canadian motorcycle imports is part of a wider tariff dispute: it retaliates for Canada’s tariff on Harley-Davidson bikes, which followed earlier U.S. and Canadian trade measures.
