“Administration officials Thursday announced they would soon begin work to build President Donald Trump’s planned 250-foot-tall triumphal arch, his most significant change to Washington’s skyline,” the Washington Post reports.

“America has fought a lot of wars since I’ve been alive. Forty-two years. And we have won almost none of them until Donald J. Trump became the president.” — JD Vance, speaking to reporters.

“House Republicans’ national campaign arm is joining with embattled GOP Rep. Max Miller to buy TV airtime as allegations of domestic abuse against him put the previously safe north Ohio seat into play,” Politico reports.

Vice President JD Vance said advice from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “is what got him on his weight loss journey,” Fox News reports. “He said he called Kennedy and told him he was thinking of giving up sugar.” Said Vance: “Bobby Kennedy says, ‘No, no, no, no, I’ve got something that’s way better […]

“As legal battles over the U.S. Postal Service’s new regulations for mail ballots move forward, state and local election officials are raising concerns about the logistical hurdles they will have to surmount to implement the requirements just weeks before the November elections,” CBS News reports.

“The Trump administration on Thursday again asked the Supreme Court to let it move ahead with restrictions on mail ballots before this year’s the midterm elections in November,” the Associated Press reports. “The government filed an emergency appeal asking the court to intervene after a judge in Boston handed down a new decision blocking President […]

“Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday returned fire after Trump administration Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed Ottawa tanked trade talks with the U.S. for political purposes,” CNBC reports. Said Carney: “I don’t think, with all respect, appointed, unelected Cabinet members in the United States are experts on Canadian politics.”

“Thomas Ross, a Republican candidate for state representative in Missouri, is facing a federal charge over allegations he instructed his former campaign manager to plant cocaine and amphetamines on a political opponent,” CBS News reports.

“The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services grew to the biggest gap in 16 months in July, as America imported more electronics to feed the country’s artificial intelligence boom,” the New York Times reports.

“A fierce internal battle is developing among House Democrats for a job that might not even be open next Congress,” Politico reports. “Reps. Sara Jacobs of California and Lauren Underwood of Illinois are expected to seek the caucus vice chair post. The job is currently held by Rep. Ted Lieu of California, who is expected […]

“Vice President JD Vance downplayed the scope of the conflict in Iran, which is now in its seventh month, saying he would not describe it as ‘a war’ just days after military strikes intensified in the region,” Bloomberg reports. Said Vance: “I wouldn’t call it a war. Right now, there is no active shooting.” Fox […]

“Less than two years into his Senate term, Jim Justice is seriously considering launching a campaign to return to the governor’s mansion,” Politico reports. “The West Virginia Republican is exploring a 2028 gubernatorial primary challenge to Gov. Patrick Morrisey.”

“Vice President JD Vance defended his friendship with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, rejecting pressure from some Republicans to distance himself from the conservative iconoclast,” the Wall Street Journal reports. Said Vance: “Tucker is a friend, despite the fact that we disagree on a number of things. And I’m not going to play the […]

“Former President George W. Bush is not among the listed potential speakers for next week’s Republican Party convention in Dallas, even though the event is virtually in his backyard,” Axios reports. “The former president’s absence underscores the schism between the Trump-era GOP and the Bush-era GOP.”

“Maria Bartiromo, one of Fox News’s most recognizable anchors and a fierce backer of President Trump, is leaving the network, the company said Thursday,” the New York Times reports. “In a statement, the network said: ‘Effective today, Maria Bartiromo is no longer with Fox News Media.’ It did not specify a reason for the abrupt […]

“The surprise defections of two Democrats on a Republican procedural vote has sparked soul-searching in the party and raised new questions about whether Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries—the possible next House speaker—has the muscle to keep members in line,” the Wall Street Journal reports. “The votes showed that problems could potentially pop in the center of […]

Just for members: The latest Inside Elections. This issue includes a big picture update on the fight for Congress with two months to go before Election Day, as well as individual updates and polling in dozens of districts and states and rating changes in more than 10 races. Join now to continue reading. Members get exclusive […]

“Ahead of next week’s Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas, which is set to tout President Donald Trump’s record at a time when he still faces low approval ratings and a negative political environment, several battleground Republicans said that they either aren’t going to the convention or are still undecided,” ABC News reports.

“Former Vice President Kamala Harris said Democratic candidates know they must do ‘whatever’ it takes to win in November — even if that means asking the 2024 presidential nominee to stay away from their campaigns,” MS NOW reports. Said Harris: “Bottom line, we need to win. I have run locally, I’ve run for statewide office […]

Just for members: The latest issue of Ballot Access News. This edition is led by a major Eighth Circuit ruling striking down South Dakota’s early petition deadline and strengthening future challenges to restrictive ballot-access laws. Join now to continue reading. Members get exclusive analysis, bonus features and no advertising. Learn more. If you’re already a […]

Charlie Cook: “With 64 days before Election Day (although the first mail-in ballots will go out in a matter of days), Republicans should brace themselves: The three most plausible outcomes are that it will be bad, really bad, or truly horrible.”

“The Secret Service should update its procedures for protecting the president, as well as other officials traveling abroad, protocols that haven’t changed since 1991, the Government Accountability Office said Thursday,” the Washington Post reports. “The congressional watchdog’s findings come as the elite protection force faces scrutiny for its handling of multiple assassination attempts against President […]

“Elon Musk’s super PAC, which spent over $260 million to back President Donald Trump and other Republicans in 2024, has entered the midterms. The group, known as America PAC, just reported its first major spending of 2026. All of the money supported Republicans,” the Washington Post reports. “The group reported $800,000 in spending, almost all […]

A new Education Reform Now/Concord Public Opinion Partners poll in New York finds Kathy Hochul (D) leading Bruce Blakeman (R) in the governor’s race, 50% to 34%. New York Governor’s Race Kathy Hochul (D) 50%   Bruce Blakeman (R) 34%   Education Reform Now/Concord Public Opinion Partners poll · ±4.4%

The following features on Political Wire have updated: Polling Dashboard, Trending News, Political Calendar and On This Day in Political History. Please leave your thoughts comments and let me know if you see any bugs. Thanks for reading! 

“Congressional Republican leaders are putting President Trump front and center in their campaign to keep control of the House and Senate, even as some in the party say the strategy could increase the likelihood of a drubbing in the midterms,” the Wall Street Journal reports. “While many GOP lawmakers are embracing the president, others have […]

“The Trump administration has proposed stripping private schools of their tax-exempt status if they consider race, furthering the administration’s intense pressure on institutions that have sought diversity in their classrooms,” the Washington Post reports.

Tucker Carlson essentially endorsed Abdul El-Sayed (D) for the U.S. Senate in Michigan. Said Carlson: “I wouldn’t vote for Mike Rogers at gun point.”  He called Rogers a “tool of Israel” and praised El-Sayed for “taking on” AIPAC. 

President Trump has a new phone with gold accents on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.

“President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged Republican lawmakers facing tough reelection campaigns to run on his record in the White House despite his sagging popularity,” the Associated Press reports. Said Trump: “All you have to do is talk about it, and you’re going to win and you’re going to win big.”