U.S. Politics

Topic overview

U.S. elections, government, policy debates, political power, and the decisions shaping American public life.

Recently curated for this topic.

Jul 10, 2026NPR Politics

Trump dismisses election commissioners, his latest step to shape voting

Trump removed the last three commissioners of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, effectively emptying a bipartisan body created to improve election administration. The action is framed as part of a broader effort to influence how elections are run and what voting rules states adopt. Removing the EAC's leadership increases the risk of uneven election standards and politicized oversight ahead of major election cycles.

Link to Story

Jul 10, 2026Al Jazeera

Donald Trump removes final members of independent US election commission

President Trump dismissed the remaining members of the bipartisan U.S. Election Assistance Commission, leaving the federal election body without commissioners. The move comes as the administration pushes for wider changes to voting rules and election administration standards. A vacant election commission weakens federal guardrails and resources for election administration as the White House seeks tighter control over voting policy.

Link to Story

Jul 10, 2026NPR Politics

Trump leans on 'communist' messaging as economic angst drives Democrats

Trump has centered a new general election attack line on branding Kamala Harris and Democrats as "communist," using labels like "Comrade Kamala" to tie their agenda to government control. The argument is designed to map voters' economic unease onto cultural and ideological fear, and to put Democrats on defense over spending, regulation, and prices. If the "communist" frame sticks, it can redefine the economic debate into a values fight and move persuadable voters away from Democrats despite policy specifics.

Link to Story

Jul 10, 2026NPR Politics

As Sen. Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized, calls for transparency grow

Sen. Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized for nearly four weeks with limited public detail about his condition or timeline to return. The prolonged absence mirrors other recent cases where lawmakers disappeared from duties for weeks while constituents and colleagues received scant information. When senior lawmakers vanish without clear information, it weakens accountability and can shift power and legislative outcomes without voters ever getting a formal say.

Link to Story

Jul 10, 2026NPR Politics

Trump leans on 'communist' messaging as economic angst drives Democrats

Donald Trump is increasingly framing Democrats, including Kamala Harris, as “communist,” leaning on labels like “Comrade Kamala” to sharpen a cultural and economic attack line. The messaging aims to exploit economic anxiety and peel off or demobilize voters who are uneasy about prices, wages, and government spending. If the election becomes a referendum on economic governance and ideology labels, small shifts among financially stressed voters could decide the map.

Link to Story

Jul 10, 2026NPR Politics

President Trump cleans house at the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission

President Trump removed the remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission months before the midterms. Democrats and voting rights groups condemned the move as political interference in an agency designed to be bipartisan and independent. It concentrates power over election administration infrastructure at the federal level at the moment states are preparing systems and rules for the midterms.

Link to Story

Join the Beta Now

Build Your First Pass.

Pick your topics, set your cadence, and receive your personalized First Pass in your inbox. It’s that simple!