Supreme Court blocks Trump mail-in ballot plan  —  The Supreme Court has rejected the Trump administration's attempt to force states to take part in a new system to control the delivery of mail-in ballots in the looming midterm elections.  —  In a ruling Monday, the justices left in place …

Thune sees role for Congress on AI — Trump does not  —  Majority Leader John Thune is asserting Congress' prerogative to act on AI — but he's urging a “light touch” even in the face of “consequential risks.” … - “Congress has a job to do,” Thune said.  — “I think there are some …

Karl Rove said he'll break 30 years of only supporting Republicans to vote against “bigot” Bo French  —  Rove, a former adviser to President George W. Bush and longtime Texas GOP political consultant, made the comments at a private lunch in Austin, according to attendees.  —  TAKE OUR CONTENT — PLEASE!

McConnell returns to Capitol after 3-month absence  —  Sen. Mitch McConnell voted at the U.S. Capitol on Monday for the first time in three months after being hospitalized in June. … - McConnell arrived in a wheelchair and spoke briefly to reporters, joking that after years of avoiding their questions …

Gavin Newsom tells CNN's Jake Tapper he won't run for president if Kamala Harris runs in 2028  —  While fly fishing in Montana, CNN's Jake Tapper asks Governor Gavin Newsom what it would take for him to run for president in 2028.  This is part of on an ongoing series where Jake Tapper joins politicians …

Russia sanctions bill clears procedural House hurdle  —  Sweeping Russia sanctions legislation championed by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham cleared a procedural hurdle in the House on Monday, likely teeing up a full House vote later in the week.  The House Rules Committee voted to advance the measure …

Exclusive: FBI Builds Out National NSPM-7 Center to Track Dissent, Docs Show  —  IRS sent 10 agents and three analysts to national effort to police “anti-capitalism” and “extremism on migration, race, and gender”  —  The FBI has tapped employees from across federal law enforcement to crack down on dissent …

Iranian strikes have damaged hundreds of structures at U.S. bases, watchdog says  —  The report by the Pentagon's inspector general also detailed the extent of munitions shortfalls in the first comprehensive public accounting of the cost and military impact of the war with Iran.  —  Summary

House Democrats add three seats to ‘Red to Blue’ target list  —  Party leaders had previously declined to promote Michigan activist William Lawrence, who has drawn attention for past social media posts.  —  House Democrats' campaign arm added three battleground candidates to its “Red to Blue” …

Trump's postings may still move the needle  —  President Trump's claim that Ukraine agreed to halt strikes on Russian energy targets coincided with a pullback in oil prices and Treasury yields Monday. … - Russia has long been one of the world's largest exporters of diesel …

Donald Trump Jr. acknowledges Russian oligarch with ties to Putin hosted his lavish island wedding celebration  —  The president's eldest son and his wife, Bettina Trump, said on Instagram that Umar Kremlev “very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations.”

Baal out: Top diplomat's worry about pagan god elicits eye rolls  —  The second-most powerful man at the State Department put the brakes on a U.S. international exhibit featuring a bull statue because he worried it might look like Baal, a pagan god some associate with Satanic child sacrifice.

Carney heads to Europe for high-stakes speech and deeper EU ties as Canada clashes with Trump  —  Canada will seek an arrangement that would allow Canadians to live and work in Europe without visas.  —  Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to Europe in the middle of a trade war …

US confirms for first time it has deployed weapons in space  —  Analysts warn of an acceleration in high-risk arms race with Russia and China in Earth's orbit  —  The US has deployed weapons in space, the US military has confirmed, in an extraordinary public announcement that analysts warn …

Democrats Gain Edge as Trump Drags Down G.O.P., New Poll Finds  —  Even some Republicans are losing faith in Trump's economy, a New York Times/Siena poll found, and Democrats were favored on the top issues as the sprint to the midterms gets underway.  —  With fewer than 50 days until the midterms …

Papa Johns, Propaganda and Putin: How a MAGA Influencer With Ties to Russia Became Trump's Arctic Adviser  —  Reporting Highlights  — Foreign Affairs: Thomas Dans has backed taking over Greenland and advocated reestablishing ties with Russia, where he's long done business — even sharing pro-Kremlin posts.

JD Vance will never escape the albatross of the Iran War  —  PN is supported by paid subscribers.  Become one ⬇️  —  💡 Subscribe to PN 💡  —  Vice President JD Vance would very much like you to know that he has been opposed to the war in Iran from the beginning.

Scott Bessent's wobbly house  —  Politics seems to be messing with the US Treasury secretary's head  —  “Credibility” is a Washington measure devalued by overuse.  The credibility of what the US Treasury secretary says, however, can be gauged minute by minute.

Rick Scott launches ‘Rescuing America’ economic messaging plan  —  Sen. Rick Scott is launching a plan for how the country should tackle its growing economic headaches as Republicans face rising voter affordability concerns heading into the midterms.  The Florida Republican …

NATO ‘committed and ready’ after shooting down drone over Lithuania  —  From the Baltics to Poland, Europe's eastern edge is monitoring Russia's war to prevent it spilling over its own borders.  —  NATO stands “vigilant, committed, and ready,” Lithuania's foreign minister said Tuesday …