Seat of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill, neoclassical symbol of American democracy
Trump is increasing pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to scrap the filibuster and pass the SAVE America Act, as Republican divisions over voting legislation intensify ahead of the August recess. The White House and Trump allies are pushing for a party-line vote, while lawmakers warn of votes and timing concerns amid a tenuous midterm landscape.
The Senate has passed a bipartisan short-term funding bill 90-6 to keep the federal government funded through Dec. 11. The measure blocks the administration from transferring funds to the Border Patrol, delays a national ban on intoxicating hemp products by one month, and pauses a proposed White House grants rule while negotiations on full-year spending continue.
The last of the high-profile Jan. 6 prosecutions has been dismissed or vacated as pardons and commutations reshape the legal landscape surrounding the Capitol attack. Judges have closed remaining cases, arguing the prosecutions should not be revived, while officials emphasize this marks an epilogue to the prosecutions rather than the events themselves.
A federal judge has paused an order that would have forced the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust to hand over detailed financial records to the BBC in a $10bn defamation suit. The stay will last while the court considers Trump’s request to amend his complaint to focus on personal reputational harm rather than business damages.
The BBC has asked a Florida federal court to allow subpoenas to be served on Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner in President Trump’s $10bn defamation suit over a 2024 Panorama edit. The BBC says the trio have "personal knowledge" about the January 6, 2021 speech; Trump’s lawyers argue service is blocked by Secret Service protection and call the effort politically motivated.
Jessica Bowie has been arrested in Albany after an FBI counterterrorism operation foiled her plan to bomb the New York State Capitol using an inert explosive in a DoorDash bag. She has pledged allegiance to ISIS and is under heavy investigation for radicalization online.
Federal prosecutors have charged Jessica Bowie, 35, with attempting to provide material support to a designated terrorist organisation after she told an FBI informant she planned to bomb the New York State Capitol, kill senators and flee to Syria. Bowie has been accused of conducting reconnaissance, buying bomb materials and discussing disguises with undercover operatives before her arrest on Aug. 19.
Kyle Kirkwood has won the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in downtown Washington, D.C., finishing 3.09 seconds ahead of Christian Lundgaard after leading 128 of 147 laps. President Donald Trump has waved the green flag and taken a ceremonial lap; the race routed 25 drivers past the National Mall as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations.
The White House aide known for proximity to Donald Trump has published letters from 2023 expressing deep devotion, apologizing for past actions and seeking forgiveness. Reports detail her daily proximity, lack of security clearances, and intimate messages, raising questions about access and influence during Trump’s re-election bid.
IndyCar races through Washington, D.C., as part of the Freedom 250 celebration for America’s 250th birthday. Donald Trump waves the green flag to start the race, with a front-row audience including key allies and cabinet members. The event blends spectacle with political theatrics in the nation’s capital.
The government has sought to dismiss the Bannon contempt case, but District Judge Carl Nichols has ruled that the request is insufficiently explained. The DOJ is free to renew a properly argued motion. The broader Capitol riot investigations continue to shape the legal landscape as Trump-era clemencies leave lingering political reverberations.
Prediction-market platform Kalshi has permanently banned George Santos and fined him $71,356 after its compliance team concluded he traded on contracts tied to his attendance at President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address and manipulated prices with public statements. The CFTC has already secured a separate $35,000 settlement and a three‑year trading ban.
Lawmakers have approved a short-term bill to fund the government through December 11, avoiding a shutdown as elections approach. The measure now goes to President Trump for signature. The package preserves current funding levels and includes a delay on a new grant-cutting rule until December.
The CIA has released 71 presidential daily briefs from 1998–2001, detailing Osama bin Laden’s movements, financing and networks. The documents include warnings that bin Laden may strike the US and pursue weapons, but do not reveal new details on the attacks themselves.
Congress has passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 and President Trump has signed it into law. The law expands sanctions on Russian officials, banks and a "shadow fleet" of tankers, and grants the president authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
Representative Thomas Massie has filed privileged articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, forcing the House to consider the measure within two legislative days. Speaker Mike Johnson has moved to end the pre-election session early, delaying any vote past the midterms and complicating Massies parallel effort to force release of Epstein-related files.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 has cleared both houses, expanding sanctions on Russia and Iran and allowing tariffs of up to 100% on the top buyers of Russian energy. The bill carries broad support and highlights tensions with China and India, while drawing scrutiny over potential domestic costs.
President Donald Trump has announced he will convert the proposed 250-foot triumphal arch near the Memorial Bridge into a "top grade Military Complex" to house drones, position snipers and store ammunition, saying he acted at the "strong request" of the U.S. military. The project faces lawsuits, planning reviews and aviation and safety concerns.
The Senate has rejected a War Powers Resolution that would require President Trump to withdraw U.S. troops from Iran absent congressional approval. The vote follows prior House action and reflects ongoing debate over constitutional authority and war powers as the administration faces mounting public concern over the conflict.
The Protect College Sports Act has cleared the Senate with broad bipartisan support and is moving toward a House vote. It codifies NIL rights, tightens transfers and eligibility rules, and creates a retention pool to fund women’s and Olympic sports. The House faces challenges from CBC opposition and concerns over antitrust protections as lawmakers weigh the bill’s path to law.
Senators have reached a bipartisan deal to streamline federal energy permitting, accelerating infrastructure projects while preserving environmental safeguards. The measure would require large data centers to cover transmission costs and would overhaul major environmental reviews. Supporters say the pact unlocks faster, cheaper energy expansion; opponents warn of concessions to fossil interests. The White House backs quick passage as midterms loom.
Trump has publicly urged Sen. John Fetterman to switch parties, a move that could reshape Senate dynamics. Fetterman has rejected becoming a Republican, while observers note the potential impact on party control and midterm prospects.
The Justice Department has filed a federal lawsuit asking a judge to bar Alaska from certifying its U.S. Senate result if Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan loses by fewer votes than another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan. President Donald Trump has said he ordered the action. Democrats, voting-rights groups and some Republicans have moved to intervene and ask the court to dismiss or fast-track the case before Nov. 3, 2026.
A series of politically charged prosecutions around the 2026 midterms has seen grand juries in Washington reject indictments tied to Cassidy Hutchinson and to two former FBI officials tied to Hunter Biden’s laptop. The latest: Hutchinson’s bid for an indictment has been rejected; Floris and Benavides are facing charges filed by a criminal complaint, with court proceedings continuing.
Senator Murphy has experienced a stroke while at a family event. He is awake and undergoing treatment at Johns Hopkins and is responding to care. He is not up for reelection this cycle and has been campaigning for fellow Democrats ahead of the midterms.
With midterm results pending, Democrats gain fresh power in either chamber to investigate the Trump administration, its finances, and potential impeachments while balancing voters’ concerns about costs. The articles outline how control of committees and budgets could shape investigations and policy.