Leigh Ann Caldwell • May 31, 2026

Senate Republicans Plot Their Revenge on Trump

After the president helped end the careers of two of their own, many in the Senate G.O.P. feel he’s broken their political contract. Now, instead of constantly bowing to the executive branch, they’re agitating to fight, or at least stand up for themselves.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • May 28, 2026

A.I. Hallucinations on the Hill

Democrats have started releasing a slew of remarkably similar A.I. action plans after being slow out of the gate on the issue. Republicans, meanwhile, are facing their own A.I.-related identity crisis.

Julia Ioffe • May 28, 2026

Schrödinger’s War

Endlessly shifting goalposts and an increasingly violent ceasefire with Iran have created the perfect conditions for a new kind of forever war in the Middle East—a frozen conflict in which the only beneficiary may be Trump, himself.

Marianna Sotomayor • May 27, 2026

The Freedom Caucus Crossroads & The Lead Left Mystery

What happens to the most raucous caucus when many of its loudest members leave? Plus, the costly G.O.P. shadow operation that achieved... nothing much.

Abby Livingston • May 27, 2026

Texas Hold ’Em

John Cornyn’s humiliating 28-point wipeout has Republicans spiraling over donor flight, Senate math, and whether scandal magnet Ken Paxton just handed Democrats their dream matchup.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • May 26, 2026

More From Georgia & Redistricting Whiplash

Things get even uglier in the G.O.P. primary to unseat Sen. Jon Ossoff, plus more developments in the gerrymandering wars.

Peter Hamby • May 26, 2026

Is Xavier Becerra the Best California Can Do?

Among Democratic professionals in California, the prevailing sentiment about the governor’s race is a depressed shrug and a question: How did we end up with Becerra and Tom Steyer as Newsom’s most likely successors?

Julia Ioffe • May 25, 2026

Putin on the Fritz

Russia is in deep, deep trouble, spurring renewed speculation about possible collapse. But we’ve seen this movie before, and Putin always manages to hold on. Is this time different?

Leigh Ann Caldwell • May 24, 2026

The G.O.P. Mini-Resistance

Trump has spent his second term largely getting what he wants from Congress as he’s launched wars, imposed tariffs, and accumulated crypto wealth with little scrutiny. But last week, he encountered more resistance from his party on the Hill than at any point since his second swearing-in.

Marianna Sotomayor • May 21, 2026

The D.N.C.’s Post-Autopsy Autopsy

Insiders knew they'd get blowback from the half-baked report whether it came out or not. But they also say that despite this latest fumble, Ken Martin isn't going anywhere.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • May 21, 2026

A Georgia Senate Scoop & Ballroom Shenanigans

Mike Collins's critics angle for the White House's ear, while the G.O.P. punts on ICE and Trump's ballroom.

Peter Hamby • May 21, 2026

Trump’s Midterm Tax & Rubio’s ’28 Gains

In exclusive new polling for Puck, more than six in 10 Americans say the economy is getting worse—about the same number that want the gas tax suspended. Meanwhile, Vance’s support is slipping—even as he maintains a whopping 19-point edge over Rubio in a possible 2028 primary matchup.

Marianna Sotomayor • May 20, 2026

Housing in the House

An extremely rare bipartisan breakthrough—and what comes next.

Leigh Ann Caldwell & Marianna Sotomayor • May 20, 2026

Inside the Senate’s Paxton Panic

After a tense phone call with Majority Leader John Thune, Trump did what many felt he'd wanted to all along.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • May 20, 2026

The Georgia Runoff & G.O.P. Senators Unleashed

News and notes on the contest to challenge Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Plus what happens when six Republican senators are no longer beholden to Trump.