INSIDER
Democratic activists fueled anti-Trump protests at GOP town halls but also rage at their own party
Read full article: Democratic activists fueled anti-Trump protests at GOP town halls but also rage at their own partyDemocrats filled Republican town halls during the congressional break to protest President Donald Trumpโs power grab in Washington.
Where are federal jobs affected by DOGE cuts? A look at congressional districts across the US
Read full article: Where are federal jobs affected by DOGE cuts? A look at congressional districts across the USCivilian federal jobs are being cut by the thousands, as Elon Muskโs Department of Government Efficiency continues to shrink the government workforce at the behest of President Donald Trump.
Hochul says she made a case to Trump for NYC's congestion pricing, yet predicts courts will decide
Read full article: Hochul says she made a case to Trump for NYC's congestion pricing, yet predicts courts will decideNew York Gov. Kathy Hochul says she told President Donald Trump in a private meeting at the White House that congestion pricing tolls in Manhattan are necessary and working.
Minimum wage, sick leave bills prove Republicans, Democrats in Lansing can find โcommon groundโ
Read full article: Minimum wage, sick leave bills prove Republicans, Democrats in Lansing can find โcommon groundโThe minimum wage and paid sick leave bills were the first significant test for the 103rd legislature, which began last month (Jan. 8, 2025), with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats holding the majority in the Senate.
Michigan state lawmaker beats out loyal Trump ally charged in fake elector case for GOP party chair
Read full article: Michigan state lawmaker beats out loyal Trump ally charged in fake elector case for GOP party chairMichigan Republicans have elected a state lawmaker to lead the GOP into the 2026 midterms, State Sen. Jim Runestad whipped enough delegates Saturday after two rounds of voting to beat out the other two candidates, including Meshawn Maddock, a loyal ally to President Donald Trump who is charged with being a fake elector for Trump in the 2020 election.
Scramble for McConnell's Senate seat underway with signs of a bruising GOP primary ahead
Read full article: Scramble for McConnell's Senate seat underway with signs of a bruising GOP primary aheadThe scramble to fill Mitch McConnellโs Senate seat in Kentucky began as soon as the Republican revealed he wonโt seek reelection in 2026.
DOGE notches courtroom wins as Elon Musk crusades to slash federal government
Read full article: DOGE notches courtroom wins as Elon Musk crusades to slash federal governmentAlthough some parts of President Donald Trumpโs agenda are getting bogged down by litigation, Elon Muskโs Department of Government Efficiency is having better luck in the courtroom.
Senate GOP budget bill back on track hours after Trump threw it into turmoil
Read full article: Senate GOP budget bill back on track hours after Trump threw it into turmoilSenate Republicans are pushing ahead with their $340 billion budget bill focused on funding the White Houseโs mass deportations and border security agenda.
Governor weighs removing NYC Mayor Adams after his top deputies quit amid criminal case turmoil
Read full article: Governor weighs removing NYC Mayor Adams after his top deputies quit amid criminal case turmoilNew York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday she is weighing removing New York City Mayor Eric Adams from office after four of top his deputies announced their resignations in the latest fallout from the Justice Departmentโs push to end his corruption case.
Justice Department's independence is threatened as Trump's team asserts power over cases and staff
Read full article: Justice Department's independence is threatened as Trump's team asserts power over cases and staffPam Bondi had insisted at her Senate confirmation hearing that as attorney general, her Justice Department would not โplay politics.โ.
Treasury watchdog begins audit of Musk DOGE team's access to the US government's payment system
Read full article: Treasury watchdog begins audit of Musk DOGE team's access to the US government's payment systemThe Treasury Departmentโs Office of Inspector General says it's launching an audit of the security controls for the federal governmentโs payment system.
Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith won't run in 2026. Fellow Democrat Gov. Tim Walz and others eye the seat
Read full article: Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith won't run in 2026. Fellow Democrat Gov. Tim Walz and others eye the seatMinnesota U.S. Sen. Tina Smith's decision not to seek reelection is setting off a scramble by potential candidates in both major political parties to fill the seat.
Spending bill talks bog down after Trump's efforts to slash government
Read full article: Spending bill talks bog down after Trump's efforts to slash governmentTalks on a spending bill for the current budget year have bogged down in the wake of President Donald Trumpโs efforts to slash federal spending and its workforce.
Trump official's directive tying transportation grants to birth rates could hinder blue states
Read full article: Trump official's directive tying transportation grants to birth rates could hinder blue statesPresident Donald Trump's transportation secretary is instructing his department to prioritize projects for states with higher marriage or birth rates.
Democrats ask for an investigation into DOGE's access to Treasury's payment systems
Read full article: Democrats ask for an investigation into DOGE's access to Treasury's payment systemsDemocratic lawmakers are seeking a Treasury Department investigation of the access that Elon Muskโs team was given to the governmentโs payment system.
13 states to sue over DOGE access to government payment systems containing personal data
Read full article: 13 states to sue over DOGE access to government payment systems containing personal dataDemocratic attorneys general in several states are vowing to file a lawsuit to stop Elon Muskโs Department of Government Efficiency from accessing federal payment systems containing Americansโ sensitive personal information.
Senate confirms Project 2025 architect Russell Vought to lead powerful White House budget office
Read full article: Senate confirms Project 2025 architect Russell Vought to lead powerful White House budget officeThe Senate has confirmed Russell Vought, President Donald Trumpโs nominee for White House budget director.
Democratic state Sen. Mallory McMorrow preparing to enter US Senate race in Michigan, AP sources say
Read full article: Democratic state Sen. Mallory McMorrow preparing to enter US Senate race in Michigan, AP sources sayMichigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow is preparing to announce a Democratic bid for an open U.S. Senate seat in the state.
Trump and Musk move to dismantle USAID, igniting battle with Democratic lawmakers
Read full article: Trump and Musk move to dismantle USAID, igniting battle with Democratic lawmakersThe Trump administration and billionaire ally Elon Musk have moved to shutter an agency that provides crucial aid to fund education and fight starvation overseas, sparking a showdown with congressional Democrats who blasted the effort as illegal and vowed a court fight.
Tennessee GOP passes school voucher expansion bill with backing from Trump
Read full article: Tennessee GOP passes school voucher expansion bill with backing from TrumpTennessee lawmakers have approved legislation drastically expanding the number of families who can use taxpayer money on private schools regardless of income.
Trump was challenged after blaming DEI for the DC plane crash. Here's what he said
Read full article: Trump was challenged after blaming DEI for the DC plane crash. Here's what he saidPresident Donald Trump began his White House briefing with a moment of silence and a prayer for the victims of Wednesdayโs crash at Reagan National Airport.
Trump's FBI chief pick, Kash Patel, insists he has no 'enemies list' and won't seek retribution
Read full article: Trump's FBI chief pick, Kash Patel, insists he has no 'enemies list' and won't seek retributionKash Patel, President Donald Trumpโs pick to lead the FBI, is insisting to deeply skeptical Democrats that he does not have an โenemies listโ and that the bureau under his leadership would not seek retribution against the presidentโs adversaries or launch politically motivated investigations.
Trump fires two Democratic commissioners of agency that enforces civil rights laws in the workplace
Read full article: Trump fires two Democratic commissioners of agency that enforces civil rights laws in the workplacePresident Donald Trump has fired two of the three Democratic commissioners of the federal agency that enforces civil rights laws in the workplace, an unprecedented move aimed at implementing his crackdown on certain diversity and gender rights policies.
A GOP lawsuit to limit people in the US illegally from the census count will be harmful, voters say
Read full article: A GOP lawsuit to limit people in the US illegally from the census count will be harmful, voters sayVoters in California and Texas affiliated with a Democratic group want to intervene in a lawsuit filed by four Republican state attorneys general.
Michigan Democratic Sen. Gary Peters will not run for reelection, opening a key Senate seat in 2026
Read full article: Michigan Democratic Sen. Gary Peters will not run for reelection, opening a key Senate seat in 2026Michigan Sen. Gary Peters says he thinks it's time to turn over the reins so he won't be seeking a third term in 2026.
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans
Read full article: Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loansA federal judge has temporarily blocked a push from President Donald Trump to pause federal funding while his administration conducts an across-the-board ideological review to uproot progressive initiatives.
Deb Haaland made history as Interior secretary. Now sheโs running for governor of New Mexico
Read full article: Deb Haaland made history as Interior secretary. Now sheโs running for governor of New MexicoFormer Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is running for the Democratic nomination for governor in New Mexico after championing conservation and clean energy during her tenure as Interior secretary under President Joe Biden.
Spanberger and Earle-Sears want to make history in Virginia. But voters have election exhaustion
Read full article: Spanberger and Earle-Sears want to make history in Virginia. But voters have election exhaustionDemocratic former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears are picking up steam in their bids to be Virginia's next governor.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Florida's special congressional primaries
Read full article: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Florida's special congressional primariesRepublicans are eager to find replacements for former GOP Reps. Matt Gaetz and Michael Waltz in Tuesdayโs special congressional primaries in Florida to add some breathing room to their slender majority in the U.S. House, but control of the chamber isnโt on the line.
Democrats' Minnesota House boycott echoes earlier walkouts in other states
Read full article: Democrats' Minnesota House boycott echoes earlier walkouts in other statesDemocrats in the Minnesota House who have boycotted daily sessions are using tactics that lawmakers elsewhere have tried dozens of times in seeking to thwart their opponents.
The Senate advances a migrant detention bill that could be Trump's first law to sign
Read full article: The Senate advances a migrant detention bill that could be Trump's first law to signThe Senate is set for an Inauguration Day vote on legislation that would require federal authorities to detain migrants accused of theft and violent crimes.
Few know Shalanda Young. But she saved the US from the kinds of economic crises Trump now faces
Read full article: Few know Shalanda Young. But she saved the US from the kinds of economic crises Trump now facesFew Democrats found ways to negotiate with Republicans quite like Shalanda Young โ whose work as White House budget director stopped several potential economic crises from erupting.
More than a dozen Democratic AGs say they'll defend gun regulations ahead of Trump's 2nd term
Read full article: More than a dozen Democratic AGs say they'll defend gun regulations ahead of Trump's 2nd termMore than a dozen Democratic state attorneys general said Thursday they plan to defend two gun regulations now being challenged in court, including one banning devices that enable semiautomatic guns to fire more quickly.
Hereโs a look at some of the 17 bills introduced during Michigan lawmakersโ first week back
Read full article: Hereโs a look at some of the 17 bills introduced during Michigan lawmakersโ first week backThe 103rd Legislature began last Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Lansing. There were no big surprises in terms of the bills introduced.
North Carolina's new Democratic governor pledges to rebuild after Helene, work with GOP
Read full article: North Carolina's new Democratic governor pledges to rebuild after Helene, work with GOPNorth Carolina Gov. Josh Stein kicked off his term in office by praising the resilience of residents following Hurricane Helene.
Senate Democrats join Republicans in voting to advance bill to detain migrants accused of crimes
Read full article: Senate Democrats join Republicans in voting to advance bill to detain migrants accused of crimesNewly in the minority, Democrats voted with Republicans on Thursday to advance legislation that would require federal authorities to detain unauthorized immigrants who have been accused of certain crimes โ signaling that they will try and find spots to work with President-elect Donald Trump while simultaneously trying to block much of his agenda.
Virginia elections signal no major shift in voter sentiment in a state watched closely for clues
Read full article: Virginia elections signal no major shift in voter sentiment in a state watched closely for cluesVirginiaโs three special elections this week garnered national attention as Democrats protected their slim statehouse majority by winning two left-leaning districts.
Biden will honor tribal requests by designating 2 new national monuments in California
Read full article: Biden will honor tribal requests by designating 2 new national monuments in CaliforniaPresident Joe Biden is signing a proclamation to establish two new national monuments in California in part to honor two tribes.
As he prepares to leave office, Biden urges incoming Democratic lawmakers to reach across the aisle
Read full article: As he prepares to leave office, Biden urges incoming Democratic lawmakers to reach across the aislePresident Joe Biden is calling on incoming Democratic lawmakers to always be mindful of other people's perspectives โ even when they may be wrong.
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Virginia's state legislative special elections
Read full article: AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Virginia's state legislative special electionsVirginia voters will begin the new year filling state Senate and House vacancies on Tuesday in a trio of special elections that could determine control of the narrowly divided chambers.
FBI releases new video of a suspect planting a pipe bomb near DNC offices on eve of the Capitol riot
Read full article: FBI releases new video of a suspect planting a pipe bomb near DNC offices on eve of the Capitol riotThe FBI is releasing new information about a suspect who planted pipe bombs four years ago outside the offices of the Democratic and Republican national committees near the Capitol.
Rhode Islanders' data was leaked from a cyberattack on state health benefits website
Read full article: Rhode Islanders' data was leaked from a cyberattack on state health benefits websiteOfficials in Rhode Island say cybercriminals who hacked the state's system for health and benefits programs have released at least some of the files to a site on the dark web.
Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says
Read full article: Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson saysFormer President Bill Clinton was admitted Monday to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington after developing a fever.
Shutdown saga exposes new fault lines for Speaker Johnson and tests his grip on the gavel
Read full article: Shutdown saga exposes new fault lines for Speaker Johnson and tests his grip on the gavelOne of the most turbulent sessions of Congress in the modern era is about to make way for the next one.
Democratic governors hammered Trump before the election. Now they're hoping to work with him
Read full article: Democratic governors hammered Trump before the election. Now they're hoping to work with himA handful of prominent Democratic governors are quickly adjusting their approach to President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January.
House rejects Trump-backed plan on government shutdown, leaving next steps uncertain
Read full article: House rejects Trump-backed plan on government shutdown, leaving next steps uncertainThe House has resoundingly rejected President-elect Donald Trumpโs new plan to fund federal operations and suspend the debt ceiling a day before a government shutdown.
2 bills aim to increase transparency in Lansing by subjecting top officials to FOIA requests
Read full article: 2 bills aim to increase transparency in Lansing by subjecting top officials to FOIA requestsDemocratic House Speaker Joe Tate of Detroit presided over an empty House chamber before adjourning Wednesday.
Senate passes defense bill that will raise troop pay and aims to counter China's power
Read full article: Senate passes defense bill that will raise troop pay and aims to counter China's powerThe Senate has passed a defense bill that authorizes significant pay raises for junior enlisted service members and boosts overall military spending to $895 billion.
Kamala Harris tells students to 'stay in the fight' after the election
Read full article: Kamala Harris tells students to 'stay in the fight' after the electionVice President Kamala Harris is urging anyone disappointed over her loss in last month's election to โstay in the fightโ as Donald Trump prepares to take office.
โWe are done hereโ: Tense standoff in Lansing as House Republicans walk out over wage debate
Read full article: โWe are done hereโ: Tense standoff in Lansing as House Republicans walk out over wage debateThere were tense moments in Lansing after House Representatives walked out without voting.
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
Read full article: House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threatThe House has passed what was once a bipartisan effort to expand the number of federal district trial court judgeships across the country.
Michigan senator sponsors family leave bill for paid time off to support caregiving, health needs
Read full article: Michigan senator sponsors family leave bill for paid time off to support caregiving, health needsMichigan Democratic Senator Erika Geiss of Taylor knows what itโs like to be a mom to a daughter battling a serious health issue, which is one reason why sheโs sponsoring legislation to create a state-run program known as Family Leave Optimal Coverage (FLOC).
San Diego sheriff defies new policy to limit cooperation with immigration officials
Read full article: San Diego sheriff defies new policy to limit cooperation with immigration officialsThe sheriff of the nationโs fifth-largest county on Tuesday defied a new policy to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, setting up a showdown over a new obstacle to President-elect Donald Trumpโs mass deportation plans.
Unlikely battleground California plays key role -- again -- in setting US House's political balance
Read full article: Unlikely battleground California plays key role -- again -- in setting US House's political balanceDemocrats and Republicans agreed on at least one thing before November's election: California would play a central role in determining which party controls the U.S. House.
Democrat Adam Gray captures California's 13th US House District, ousting Republican Rep. John Duarte
Read full article: Democrat Adam Gray captures California's 13th US House District, ousting Republican Rep. John DuarteDemocrat Adam Gray has won election to a U.S. House seat representing Californiaโs Central Valley, defeating Republican Rep. John Duarte in the final House contest to be determined this year.
Lawsuit seeks to undo 15-week abortion ban that conflicts with expanded access in Arizona
Read full article: Lawsuit seeks to undo 15-week abortion ban that conflicts with expanded access in ArizonaReproductive rights advocates are trying to dismantle a 15-week abortion ban in Arizona that conflicts with newly expanded access establishing a fundamental right to abortion in the state.
Minnesota Republicans sue to force election rerun in tight House race where 20 ballots are missing
Read full article: Minnesota Republicans sue to force election rerun in tight House race where 20 ballots are missingMinnesota Republicans are suing to try to force a rerun of a state House race where the incumbent Democrat won by 14 votes but investigators concluded that election workers probably destroyed 20 valid absentee ballots after failing to count them.
California bill would allow public university admission priority for slaves' descendants
Read full article: California bill would allow public university admission priority for slaves' descendantsCalifornia lawmakers are set to consider a bill that would require the state's public universities to give admission priority to the descendants of slaves.
California lawmakers begin special session to protect state laws from second Trump presidency
Read full article: California lawmakers begin special session to protect state laws from second Trump presidencyCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom has launched his campaign to safeguard liberal values ahead of another Donald Trump presidency.
Gov. Whitmer, Ohio Gov. DeWine place sweet wager on Michigan-Ohio State football game
Read full article: Gov. Whitmer, Ohio Gov. DeWine place sweet wager on Michigan-Ohio State football gameGovernor Gretchen Whitmer and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine placed a sweet wager ahead of the Michigan Wolverines vs. the Ohio State Buckeyes football game on Saturday.
College sports reform could advance in GOP-controlled Congress, with Sen. Ted Cruz as NCAA ally
Read full article: College sports reform could advance in GOP-controlled Congress, with Sen. Ted Cruz as NCAA allyThe NCAAโs yearslong efforts to get lawmakers to address myriad problems in college sports could pay off in the new, Republican-controlled Congress.
Trump-backed Derek Merrin concedes to Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur in Ohio
Read full article: Trump-backed Derek Merrin concedes to Democratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur in OhioDemocratic U.S. Rep. Marcy Kapturโs Trump-endorsed rival said he called the veteran Ohio congresswoman to concede defeat in the 2024 election.
A battle over mail ballots in Pennsylvania is latest example of messy disputes over election rules
Read full article: A battle over mail ballots in Pennsylvania is latest example of messy disputes over election rulesThe recount underway in Pennsylvaniaโs U.S. Senate race marks the end of a chaotic post-election period that has become the latest example of how disputed election rules can expose weak points in a core function of American democracy.
Pennsylvania's high court orders counties not to count disputed ballots in US Senate race
Read full article: Pennsylvania's high court orders counties not to count disputed ballots in US Senate racePennsylvaniaโs state Supreme Court is weighing in on a flashpoint amid ongoing vote counting in the U.S. Senate election between Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick.
Wisconsin Republican Eric Hovde concedes defeat to Democrat Tammy Baldwin in US Senate race
Read full article: Wisconsin Republican Eric Hovde concedes defeat to Democrat Tammy Baldwin in US Senate raceWisconsin Republican U.S. Senate candidate Eric Hovde has conceded defeat in the race narrowly won by Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, saying he will not pursue a recount.
House elections produced a stalemate. Can Republicans figure out how to work with a thin majority?
Read full article: House elections produced a stalemate. Can Republicans figure out how to work with a thin majority?After one of the most chaotic and least productive U.S. House sessions in modern history, voters made a surprising choice in elections โ they overwhelmingly stuck with the status quo.
Ruben Gallego did better than most Democrats. He says his party needs to stoke working class roots
Read full article: Ruben Gallego did better than most Democrats. He says his party needs to stoke working class rootsIncoming Democratic Senator-elect Ruben Gallego of Arizona says building authentic connections with working-class voters can help Democrats find their way back to power in Washington.
Trump hammered Democrats on transgender issues. Now the party is at odds on a response
Read full article: Trump hammered Democrats on transgender issues. Now the party is at odds on a responseDemocrats are grappling with how to handle transgender politics and policy following a campaign that featured withering and often misleading GOP attacks on the issue.
Liberals pressure Senate Democrats to confirm more Biden judges while they can
Read full article: Liberals pressure Senate Democrats to confirm more Biden judges while they canDemand Justice, a progressive organization focused on the judiciary, is set to bombard Capitol Hill with a message for the closing weeks of the 118th Congress: Do โwhatever it takesโ to confirm President Joe Bidenโs nominees as a second Donald Trump presidency looms.
Pennsylvania Senate contest headed toward a recount, and possibly litigation
Read full article: Pennsylvania Senate contest headed toward a recount, and possibly litigationThe U.S. Senate election in Pennsylvania between Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick is headed for a statewide recount, as counties continued Wednesday to sort through outstanding ballots and the campaigns jousted over which ones should count.
Democratic state leaders prepare for a tougher time countering Trump in his second term
Read full article: Democratic state leaders prepare for a tougher time countering Trump in his second termDemocratic governors and attorneys general are set to reprise their roles in battling President-elect Trump's policies.
Chris Wallace is leaving CNN. He says he wants to see what the new media environment has to offer
Read full article: Chris Wallace is leaving CNN. He says he wants to see what the new media environment has to offerVeteran broadcaster Chris Wallace is leaving CNN after three years but, at age 77, he's not interested in retiring.
Why AP called the Arizona Senate race for Ruben Gallego
Read full article: Why AP called the Arizona Senate race for Ruben GallegoThe Associated Press declared Democrat Ruben Gallego the winner of Arizonaโs U.S. Senate seat after vote updates on Monday and over the weekend increased his statewide lead and closed off any remaining paths to victory for Republican Kari Lake.
Republican Don Bacon wins fifth term to US House representing Nebraska's Omaha-based district
Read full article: Republican Don Bacon wins fifth term to US House representing Nebraska's Omaha-based districtRepublican Don Bacon has been elected to a fifth House term representing Nebraskaโs Omaha-based 2nd District, nearly three days after the polls closed.
Trump rebuilds Democrats' 'blue wall' states with red bricks. Especially Pennsylvania
Read full article: Trump rebuilds Democrats' 'blue wall' states with red bricks. Especially PennsylvaniaRepublicans landed historic victories in Pennsylvania, winning the battleground stateโs valuable presidential electoral votes, posting a two-seat gain in its U.S. House delegation and sweeping all four statewide offices on the ballot, including a U.S. Senate seat.
Republicans make gains in numerous state legislatures. But Democrats also notch a few wins
Read full article: Republicans make gains in numerous state legislatures. But Democrats also notch a few winsRepublicans running on the ballot underneath President-elect Donald Trump have made gains in numerous state legislatures.