Republicans already know who they want to blame if they suffer big midterm losses  —  Republicans are already starting to blame each other as the midterm election spirals further out of their control.  —  Everyone is bracing for President Donald Trump's ire if the party loses big in November.

This Cybersecurity Agency Is Supposed to Protect U.S. Elections.  Officials Fear It's Been Compromised by Trump.  —  Reporting Highlights  — An Unusual Request: Political appointees at the Department of Homeland Security wanted the agency that protects election systems to get and hack a voting machine, which shocked staffers.

America Is Now an Ally of Russia  —  Donald Trump has abandoned the Western order.  —  In the past week, the president of the United States has conclusively turned America into an ally of the Russian Federation.  —  Donald Trump has now abandoned pretense and is openly aiding the Kremlin …

Putin Floats a Summit With Trump and Xi to Decide Ukraine's Fate  —  The Russian leader is trying to capitalize on warming ties with the president to unlock a favorable resolution to the war with Kyiv  —  Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed that he, President Trump …

How CBS News' Middle East war spread to the Upper Midwest  —  The News  —  Control of the US Senate for the next two years could come down to how much the news media chooses to focus in the final weeks of the midterms on a tweet sent years ago by the younger half-sister of Michigan's Democratic Senate candidate.

258. DOJ and the East Potomac Golf Links  —  The litigation over President Trump's efforts to renovate a public D.C. golf course has become a microcosm of the Justice Department's indifference (if not insolence) toward district courts.  —  Welcome back to “One First,” a newsletter that aims …

France Toughens Response to Protests as Officials Admit Failure  —  French officials, acknowledging law-enforcement failures, rolled out tougher security measures and pledged aid for businesses after cost-of-living protests this weekend degenerated into violence, vandalism and looting.

Darline Graham: ‘I would choose to keep the pressure on Russia’  —  Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) said she would rather keep sanctions on Russia after President Trump signed an executive order to waive the penalties.  —  “The president and I share the same goal, which is to end the war …

The weird rise and spectacular fall of Katie Zacharia  —  Public Notice is proudly celebrating 5 years of independent journalism.  Our coverage is possible thanks for paid subscribers.  Become one ⬇️  —  ✅ Subscribe to PN ✅  —  On October 9, Newsmax commentator …

Vance Went Off-Script.  It Didn't Go Well  —  While stumping for the Republican ticket this year, Vice President JD Vance has gained a certain comfort with delivering speeches.  He also shows fluency in scripted moments where he can anticipate questions and interactions.

Ken Paxton's Anti-Abortion Influence Already Extended Beyond Texas.  He Could Take It Further in the Senate.  —  As Texas attorney general, Paxton has advanced anti-abortion policy in his home state and prevailed where others have failed.  Allies who've witnessed his victories see an opening …

Meta shuts down “No Kings” account during major anti-Trump protest  —  On Saturday, thousands of “No Kings” events were held around the country.  It was a critical day for the anti-Trump protest group, which has attracted millions of participants since 2025.

Australian lawmaker Helen Haines in critical condition after vehicle attack  —  Australian lawmaker Helen Haines was in a critical condition on Monday after being deliberately struck by a car outside her office in Wangaratta, northeast of Melbourne, police and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.

The Danger of Getting Too Close to a Source  —  Richard Darman was my source in the Reagan and Bush Administrations—and my best friend.  —  “Woodward, Darman,” he said.  It was how every phone call from him began over two decades.  Richard G. Darman was what I call a “hide in plain sight” …

Meet the researchers leaving the US because of Trump's funding cuts and politicization of science  —  Halley Froehlich was sure she'd spend her scientific career in the United States.  Her family has been in America since the 1700s.  —  But over the past two years, delayed federal grants …

The Race Is On for Trump Staffers to Hire Lawyers in Case Democrats Win Midterms  —  Cabinet officials, ordinary staffers preparing for possibility that Democrats could launch probes if party gains back Congress  —  Trump administration officials are lawyering up.

Trump Aides Are Getting Ready to Penalize Defaulting Student Loan Borrowers  —  Trump administration officials are preparing to impose financial penalties on millions of Americans in default on their federal student loans next year, according to five sources familiar with the matter.