US Political Pulse

• Heritage alum rises: Mike Needham, former Heritage Action leader and Rubio chief of staff, becomes Deputy National Security Adviser, placing a close...

The Trump administration is tightening immigration on two fronts simultaneously.

• Local enforcement expands: Nassau County's 287(g) agreement lets...

Two recent moves reveal the push-pull over presidential power.

• Supreme Court ruling: In Learning Resources v Trump, the Court held that IEEPA does...

Trump's directive for fintech payment access is intensifying debate over Federal Reserve independence from White House influence.

• Proposal targets...

The Supreme Court faces simultaneous pressure from Trump and Democratic attacks, highlighting its role as a check on executive power.

• Trump's...

Senate procedural rules are derailing key Trump spending and immunity efforts through strict 60-vote requirements.

• Ballroom funding struck:...

Voter discontent with Trump on prices and a Democratic edge in polling signal potential gains, yet analysts flag risks of a Republican wave if trends...

Lame-duck Republicans confront a clear divide between fealty to Trump and independent judgment.

• Cassidy ousted: Louisiana switched to closed...

Texas's mid-decade redraw for five extra GOP seats triggered a chain reaction of partisan map changes ahead of 2026.

• Supreme Court impact:...

The White House plans an executive order creating a voluntary framework for AI developers to share models with the government for pre-deployment...

A new bill would mandate cognitive health tests for older lawmakers.

• Supporters argue it ensures responsibility for decisions affecting millions.
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• Report cites Harris campaign's failure to make an affirmative case or distance from Biden, plus weak economic messaging and delayed voter...

Most violations start unintentionally through missed deadlines, excess contributions, or unnoticed coordination with super PACs.

Key federal rules:
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Trump's second-term health reforms target federal agencies from multiple angles.

• Workforce overhaul: Hundreds of senior HHS roles reclassified,...

The EEOC has proposed rescinding federal EEO-1 and related reporting mandates under Title VII and other laws, marking a potential major shift in...

• The White House plans to force its official app onto government employee phones via automatic downloads as soon as this week.
• The app shares IP...

House appropriators advanced a FY2027 legislative branch bill featuring a 25% reduction for the Government Accountability Office to stay within a...

The 2026 US counterterrorism strategy pivots sharply from post-9/11 jihadist priorities toward Western Hemisphere cartels and narcotrafficking,...

• Rep. Mike Lawler faces scrutiny for running four franked Facebook ads using taxpayer funds to promote the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
• House rules...

Key developments from Ballotpedia's May 18, 2026 roundup:

• Courts overturned just 2.3% of voter-approved state ballot measures since 1995, with 57 of...