Axios

Federal aviation officials are investigating a potential safety incident involving President Trump's Marine One helicopter after it flew too close to a commercial airliner near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration noted a momentary loss of separation between the aircraft, while the National Transportation Safety Board confirmed its investigation into the event.

Federal judges have repeatedly rejected the Justice Department's attempts to obtain sensitive voter information, including cases in Colorado, California, and Rhode Island. The DOJ has sued 30 states and D.C. to access voter records under the Civil Rights Act of 1960, but judges have ruled the department lacks authority for such demands. Over 20 cases have dismissed the DOJ's claims, with some judges calling the requests 'unprecedented and illegal.'

House Democrats added 12 districts won by Trump in 2024 to their 2026 target list, aiming to project competitiveness in Republican-leaning areas. The DCCC expanded its 'Districts in Play' list to 59 districts, all won by Trump, while Republicans dismissed the move as unrealistic.

The upcoming election will feature AI as a central policy issue and a tool for political influence, with techniques like persuasion bots, synthetic voter testing, and AI-driven social media campaigns. Yale researchers note AI's effectiveness in amplifying existing views and shaping future AI responses, while competition intensifies over how major language models present candidates.

Rep. Chuck Edwards dropped his re-election bid after the House Ethics Committee recommended his censure over sexual harassment issues. He stated he would complete his current term following the decision.

Progressive Will Lawrence won a key Michigan House primary, defeating Bridget Brink, a former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, and Matt Maasdam, a former Navy SEAL. The victory is seen as a setback for Democratic leaders, who feared a split in the moderate vote. Similar progressive wins occurred in California and Maine, challenging establishment-backed candidates.

The U.S., Iran, and Oman are nearing an interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with a potential Wednesday announcement. The deal includes a 60-day temporary arrangement for ship traffic lanes and mine clearance, contingent on Iranian leadership approval. President Trump has delayed potential strikes to allow diplomacy, but risks remain if an agreement is not finalized.

Rep. Wesley Bell defeated Cori Bush in a Democratic primary, countering support from the Democratic Socialists of America. Bell's victory was aided by over $3 million in spending from AIPAC's United Democracy Project and endorsements from House Democratic leadership. Bell out-raised and outspent Bush, with nearly $3.6 million in fundraising compared to Bush's $1.3 million.

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is pressuring incoming Democrats, particularly those aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), to support House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for speaker as a condition for CBC membership. Several Black Democrats, including Afro-Latino nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier and others, have declined to commit to backing Jeffries, prompting CBC members to warn they may not be welcomed if they oppose him. While CBC leadership has not formalized this requirement, it appears to be a de facto standard to prioritize Black legislative priorities.

Max Miller, a Republican, refuses to withdraw from the Ohio House race despite facing domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife and two other women. He cites President Trump's 2016 resilience as a reason to stay in the race, which could endanger a Republican-held seat in the midterms.

OpenAI agreed to pay $3.2 million to settle Justice Department allegations that it discriminated against U.S. workers by favoring temporary visa holders for jobs. The settlement requires OpenAI to post jobs publicly, accept electronic applications, and train staff, with $1.2 million in penalties and $2 million allocated for eligible workers. OpenAI disputes the DOJ's findings but reached the agreement to resolve the matter and continue its PERM program.

Ohio, a traditionally Republican state, is causing GOP challenges in the midterms due to domestic abuse allegations against Rep. Max Miller, a closely contested Senate race, and growing voter discontent. The GOP faces difficulties in the 7th House District and the Senate race, with concerns over Miller's candidacy and public sentiment affecting their prospects.

College students are increasingly using AI as a critical job skill, with usage rising from 6.2% to 29% among business students over three years. They demand structured guidance on ethical and responsible AI use, reflecting concerns about academic integrity and dependence, while employers are integrating AI-related questions into job interviews.

Three polls show Democrat James Talarico narrowly leading Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas U.S. Senate race, with Talarico at 47% and Paxton at 45% in the latest survey. Paxton faces challenges among white and Latino voters, and his campaign has not yet received expected financial support from the GOP establishment.

Trump's company offers real-time access to Truth Social posts via a paid API, charging up to $1.2 million annually. The service provides financial institutions and trading firms a speed advantage to react to market-moving posts. Congressional Democrats and regulators are investigating potential conflicts of interest and market manipulation.

Ex-GOP Rep. Jim Renacci may seek a House comeback if Rep. Max Miller drops his reelection bid amid domestic abuse allegations. Miller denies wrongdoing and maintains he will continue his campaign, despite pressure from Republicans and criticism from Sen. Bernie Moreno, Emily Moreno's father. Renacci stated he would consider running only if Miller exits the race.

President Trump privately expressed doubts about Rep. Max Miller's candidacy amid allegations of assault against his ex-wife and child, though Miller denies the claims and says he remains in the race. Trump publicly called the situation 'a very sad thing' but refrained from explicitly criticizing Miller or urging him to drop out.

The House Democratic Women's Caucus demands Rep. Chuck Edwards resign following the House Ethics Committee's finding that he violated rules on sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. The Caucus argues censure, recommended by the Ethics Committee, is insufficient and plans to introduce legislation for harsher penalties for sexual misconduct.

House Democrats are considering whether to push for the expulsion of Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) over domestic abuse allegations he denies. The threat of expulsion has led to multiple resignations this year, and some Democrats demand accountability, with his ex-father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno, calling for his removal.

The White House finalized a voluntary AI framework by the deadline but has not disclosed its contents, details, or implementation timeline. The framework involves more industry partners than initially reported, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google, and outlines requirements for government access to advanced AI models before release.