Supreme Court expands Trump's power over the federal bureaucracy  —  The justices allowed the president to fire a Democratic member of the Federal Trade Commission, striking down a nearly century-old precedent intended to insulate independent agencies from political influence by the executive.

Supreme Court rules states can count late-arriving mailed ballots, rejecting Trump-led challenge  —  The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that states can count ballots that arrive after Election Day, a persistent target of President Donald Trump.  The decision rejected a Republican-led attack …

Trump says housing bill he tanked last week is a ‘big yawn’ … The fate of the housing bill now rests in the president's hands.  Trump has given little indication which way he leans.  If Trump does not sign, the bill will become law with no action after 10 days — not counting Sundays or holidays.

Senate Ethics panel dismisses misconduct complaint against Ruben Gallego  —  In a letter obtained by NBC News, the Ethics Committee said it dismissed the complaint after it investigated it and “did not find evidence” that he violated rules or standards of conduct.

America's most (and least) popular politicians in 2026  —  From time to time, Strength In Numbers accepts paid sponsorships on free, public posts to help pay for the costs of running this business.  This money covers things like hired help with the podcast and polling, costs of data acquisition …

Supreme Court Rejects Trump's Request to Appeal $5 Million Verdict in E. Jean Carroll Case  —  President Trump had asked the justices to intervene after a jury found that he had sexually abused and defamed the writer E. Jean Carroll.  —  The Supreme Court on Monday declined a request …

Trump Administration Pays Duke Energy $129 Million to Halt Offshore Wind Farm  —  It was the fourth such deal struck by the administration to get companies to forfeit their offshore wind leases.  —  The Trump administration on Monday said it would pay Duke Energy $129 million to abandon …

The Court Sides With Dictatorship — and Chaos  —  For all my interviews and more, subscribe on YouTube.  —  Note: It's Lisa Cook, not Lisa Graves.  Talking to Lisa Graves shortly.  —  Earlier today, the Supreme Court declared war on U.S. democracy.  It also declared war, basically …

Supreme Court declines to hear Alan Dershowitz appeal in defamation case  —  The choice leaves intact the landmark 1964 ruling New York Times v. Sullivan, which recognized protections for news media covering public figures.  —  WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday refused …

Fine, Don't Prosecute President Trump.  But Release Jack Smith's Report.  —  Three years ago this month, the Justice Department indicted Donald Trump under the Espionage Act for concealing and refusing to return classified documents after his departure from the White House.

Colorado Supreme Court Rejects Democratic Redistricting Plans  —  The state's high court found that ballot initiatives designed to change state law to install a newly gerrymandered map violated Colorado law.  —  The Colorado Supreme Court dealt a significant blow to Democratic hopes to redraw …

American Pride Falls to 25-Year Record Low  —  43% in the U.S. say they display the American flag outside their home  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, 33% of U.S. adults say they are “extremely proud” to be an American, the lowest reading in Gallup's trend dating back to 2001.

Judge Permanently Blocks Trump From Withholding Hudson Tunnel Funding  —  Transportation Department unlawfully froze money slated for the $16 billion project, judge rules  —  A federal judge has permanently blocked the Trump administration from withholding funds from a $16 billion rail tunnel project …

Platner Has Slight Edge Over Collins in Tight Maine Senate Race, Poll Finds  —  The Maine race, which both parties see as key to winning control of the Senate, is extremely close as the sprint to fall begins, a Times/Portland Press Herald/Siena poll found.  —  Senator Susan Collins …

More than 100 Venezuelans who were deported from the US hours before the earthquakes are missing  —  More than 100 people just deported from the United States were being held in a hotel when earthquakes struck Venezuela, setting off a scramble to find survivors and bodies buried in the rubble, according to survivors.

What if the MAGA Vibe Shift Was Just a Mirage?  —  Remember the vibe shift?  In 2024, first as the election approached and then after Donald Trump's victory, pundits and political strategists lined up to declare its cultural meaning quite expansive — a shift not just in electoral politics …

Democratic states sue over Medicaid work rules  —  Half of the states are suing the Trump administration over its directives for implementing Medicaid work requirements, arguing that exemptions for sick people are too narrow and violate administrative law.

Justices say Constitution protects people's location history … “An individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy in records about his cell phone's location, and police intrude on that constitutionally protected interest when they demand the information — even though for only a limited time …

Hegseth announces new Defense Policy Board after clearing out previous panel  —  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday announced the 15 individuals who will make up the new Defense Policy Board, just a little more than a year after the previous panel was cleared out by the Pentagon chief.

The PDF of The Reconstruction Papers Is Now Free to the Public … If you've been waiting to read The Reconstruction Papers, wait no longer, for the PDF is now open to the public: … I urge you not to settle for this, however.  As you will see from the PDF, it is beautifully designed with print in mind.

Trump's Pick for Ethics Czar Is a Political Operative  —  The federal government's ethics czar has never not been a lawyer.  One in four employees in the Office of Government Ethics is a lawyer.  —  President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the agency, Michael Chamberlain, does not hold a law degree.

Iran Ratchets Up Talk of Controlling Hormuz Ahead of New Talks  —  A top Iranian official reiterated the country's determination to maintain control over maritime traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz, raising the stakes ahead of fresh negotiations with the US on ending their war for good.

White House Looks to Tap Veteran Trump Advisers as Midterms Loom  —  The White House is temporarily bringing on two longtime advisers to President Donald Trump in an effort to bolster its messaging and operations ahead of midterm elections in which Republicans are facing the prospect of losing control of Congress.

PBM lobby goes on the offensive  —  The nation's top pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) lobbying group is going on the offensive, stepping up its advocacy efforts against the pharmaceutical industry after Congress passed a PBM industry overhaul last winter.  —  The pharmaceutical industry spent …