Republicans

“I think I know what’s in the president’s heart, but I don’t know what’s in his head. The people you’re talking about are right. The administration has not given one clear rationale for its tariffs. I think that’s intentional. I don’t know, but my guess is, it’s intentional. And that it’s part of the president’s negotiating strategy, but Jake, I …

Mediaite reports: Vice President JD Vance had a tough time holding the Ohio State’s national championship trophy when he fumbled it to the ground. Vance and President Donald Trump on Monday welcomed the Buckeyes to the White House. As photos of the moment were being taken, Vance motioned over to the trophy — seemingly requesting to include it in the …

NBC News reports: Former Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., launched another campaign for the Senate on Monday, becoming the first major Republican candidate to jump into one of the most competitive races of the 2026 midterm elections. The Michigan race is expected to be key to the battle for the Senate, with Republicans looking to grow their majority. With Sen. Gary …

NPR reports: As another New York City institution once said, it’s déjà vu all over again for The New York Times and former Alaska Republican Gov. Sarah Palin. Palin has the rare opportunity to retry her defamation case against the Times even though she lost it twice in a 24-hour period in early 2022. Jury selection is slated to begin …

The Hill reports: Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) said on Sunday said he’s questioning President Trump’s “endgame” in his approach to tariffs, saying the ongoing “volatility” isn’t good for businesses. “One thing I learned in the private sector is unpredictability can work pretty well in the negotiation, but the private sector — businesses want certainty. They want stability. They don’t like …

Florida Politics reports: The next stop for bills promoting the “Gulf of America” name is Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. DeSantis was the first state official to use the new name in an executive order declaring a state of emergency over a winter storm last month. That order said the inclement weather was headed to Florida across the “Gulf of America.” …

Politico reports: A House Republican is suing the federal government for $2.5 million, claiming he was retaliated against by the Capitol Police four years ago for his vocal criticism of the department’s leadership after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack. Rep. Troy Nehls’ unusual lawsuit, filed in federal court in his home state of Texas, accuses the Capitol Police of improperly …

CBS News reports: A lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton could end federal protections for special needs students. More than 400,000 students in Texas benefit from Section 504 plans in school, according to the Texas Education Agency. These are federal accommodations for students who have disabilities, but do not require special education services. Disabilities include ADHD, dyslexia, visual …

“Florida is a land of color, contrast and coastline, of diverse wildlife, unique ecosystems and unmatched spirit. Let me ask you, when the world thinks of Florida, do they think of a gray mockingbird or do they see a bold, bright flamingo standing tall in the sun? “We often say Florida is unlike anywhere else. Let’s prove it. The flamingo …

NBC News reports: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Friday she would not seek re-election, a decision that means the Republican’s time as governor will come to an end just shy of the 10-year mark after the 2026 election. “Serving as your governor has been the greatest honor of my life, an opportunity that not so long ago, I never could …

The Texas Tribune reports: Former U.S. Attorney and Elon Musk lawyer John Bash is the first to throw his hat in the ring to replace Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is making a bid for a U.S. Senate seat. Bash previously worked as a federal prosecutor for the Western District of Texas until 2020, and served as a special assistant …

“I’ve been very outspoken about this. It’s a sham – this whole climate change is a sham. First of all, God controls the climate because he controls the sun and the sun controls the weather, primarily.” – GOP Rep. Mary Miller, speaking to an apparent Christian nationalist podcaster. Last year Miller earned national headlines when she declared that climate activists …

Miami’s CBS affiliate reports: The man accused of plotting to kill President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf club during the presidential campaign will face new charges – this time in the state of Florida. Accused would-be assassin Ryan Routh already faces federal charges after he allegedly hid outside the perimeter of the Trump International Golf Club before …

“So, as a father of a one-year-old who is going through his vaccine regimen right now, that is something that I’m choosing for my son. We are getting him vaccinated just like I was vaccinated. In the case of the measles vaccine, that’s something that’s been long established. And I think we have a fairly good track record of evidence …

The Associated Press reports: Facing a deadline from an immigration judge to turn over evidence for its attempted deportation of Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil, the federal government has instead submitted a brief memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing the Trump administration’s authority to expel noncitizens whose presence in the country damages U.S. foreign policy interests. The …

“So whether you think we had to go through the operation or we didn’t have to go through the operation, bottom line is we ended up in a spot that is a much better spot than we were in three days ago. And, again, all of the reporting suggests precisely the theory that the president changed where he was on …

Democracy Docket reports: The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a major voter suppression measure that, if it became law, could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters and badly undermine U.S. democracy. The vote count was 220 to 208, with four Democrats voting for the bill and zero Republicans opposing it. Democrats …

The Alabama Reflector reports: An Alabama House committee approved legislation to expand the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law throughout K-12 public schools on Wednesday. HB 244, sponsored by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, would prohibit public school teachers at all grade levels from teaching or discussing gender identity or sexuality. The legislation also prohibits the display of pride flags and …

CBS News reports: The lower chamber was set to vote Wednesday evening on the budget resolution but punted after several House conservatives resisted increasing pressure from Mr. Trump to accept the blueprint that would open the door to implementing his border security, defense, energy priorities and extending expiring tax cuts. “I’m happy to tell you that this morning, I believe …

The Texas Tribune reports: Texas senators could vote this week on a bill that would drastically limit how the state’s public universities teach their students about history, race and inequality. Senate Bill 37 would also create a way to file complaints about universities that higher ed experts say could threaten their funding and create a profound chilling effect. If the …