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 …

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 push to toss $5 million verdict in E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse case  —  The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a push by President Donald Trump to throw out a jury's finding that he sexually abused the writer E. Jean Carroll at a New York City department store in the mid-1990s and later defamed her.

Rick Scott says he's just trying to help … “There won't be a vote,” he said, adding that he's “fine” with Thune continuing in the position.  —  “Here's what I don't get,” Scott continued, expressing exasperation with the palace intrigue.  “Other people get to put out their position.

Trump Ends Carolina Wind Project as Cancellations Mount  —  The Trump administration is canceling a lease held by Duke Energy Corp. off the coast of North Carolina as it expands its campaign to block new offshore wind developments.  —  Under an agreement with the Interior Department …

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 …

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.

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.

Yoo to advise diGenova on probe into inquiries of Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia … “As far as I know, I'm just signing on as a consultant on any kind of constitutional law issues they may encounter,” Yoo said Sunday.  “I've known Joe and [his wife] Vicky [Toensing] for more than three decades …

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 …

Trump Reflecting Pool Arrests Take Unnerving Turn—and Officials Go Mum  —  Donald Trump has insisted six people have been arrested and many more have been given citations for vandalizing the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.  This allegedly includes carving a 350-foot gash …

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 …

Trump bought as much as $5 million in Axon stock before ICE sought $220 million Taser deal … President Donald Trump bought as much as $5 million in shares of Axon Enterprise — maker of Tasers, body cameras and policing software — two weeks before Immigration and Customs Enforcement sought a five-year …

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.

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.

Rising stars in Democratic Party back new proposal for ‘Project 2029’  —  Several leaders in the Democratic Party are backing a new technology initiative seeking to lay the policy groundwork for the 2028 presidential race that poses as a counterweight to Republicans' Project 2025.

UC Berkeley to Open Nancy Pelosi Institute Aimed at Advancing Democracy  —  Former House speaker says the center will be nonpartisan  —  The University of California, Berkeley plans to launch a new institute named for Nancy Pelosi and intended to strengthen democracy.

Putin's fuel shortage admission signals growing strain on Russia's energy infrastructure … Russian President Vladimir Putin has conceded that the country is facing fuel shortages following a barrage of long-range Ukrainian drone strikes on key energy infrastructure, although he insisted the Kremlin was dealing with them.

Supreme Court to hand down final decisions Tuesday: Here's what's left  —  The Supreme Court will hand down all of its remaining opinions from this term Tuesday, setting the stage for a blockbuster day with decisions expected on birthright citizenship, transgender athlete bans and campaign finance.

Pro-Trump groups to tell Brendan Carr to yank Disney's TV licenses … Carr this spring took the highly unusual step of calling in the licenses for all eight Disney-owned ABC TV stations for renewal years ahead of schedule, citing allegations that the entertainment and media giant had failed …