Leigh Ann Caldwell • March 5, 2026

D.H.S. Regime Change & The Cruz–Hegseth War

News and notes on the defenestration of Kristi Noem, Ted Cruz’s beef with Pete Hegseth, and the self-deportation of Senator Steve Daines.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • March 4, 2026

J.D. Vance’s Private War

Everyone in town is talking about the latest oscillations of J.D. Vance, who once praised his boss’s decision to eschew unnecessary foreign conflicts before going all in on Yemen, Venezuela, and now Iran. Can he talk his way out of it before ’28?

Peter Hamby & Abby Livingston • March 3, 2026

Tuesday Night Lights

Everything you need to know about the Republican and Democratic Senate primaries in Texas, pitting incumbent John Cornyn against scandal-plagued attorney Ken Paxton, and spitfire Rep. Jasmine Crockett against the Bible-slinging progressive James Talarico.

Peter Hamby • March 2, 2026

Gavin on J.D.’s Dark Side, Clavicular & The Real Trump

The popular California governor and early presidential frontrunner opens up about the crisis of masculinity facing young boys, his personal relationship with Trump, California’s original sin, and why he’s scared of J.D. Vance.

Julia Ioffe • March 1, 2026

Is Trump Headed for an Iran Quagmire?

Trump is once again betting that overwhelming military force won’t trigger a prolonged war involving U.S. troops. But history offers cautionary tales after the euphoria of a dictator’s fall.

Julia Ioffe • February 26, 2026

Marco Rubio’s New Loyalty Oath

Ideological screenings are just the beginning of the State Department’s political tests for new foreign service officers, who must affirm their support for Trump’s executive orders, navigate training seminars monitored by Trump appointees, and demonstrate their “fidelity” at every turn.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • February 25, 2026

The Clinton–Epstein Legacy

The House Republican effort to depose Bill and Hillary Clinton over their Epstein ties continues their three-decade crusade to damage a Democratic royal couple. But the Clintons are well aware of the legal risks.

Peter Hamby • February 24, 2026

Trump’s Pre-SOTU Red Alert

As the White House gears up for tonight’s State of the Union, exclusive new polling demonstrates the uphill battle for Republicans: Most voters haven’t heard about what should be some of their most popular policies. And Trump’s nonstop blabbermouthing risks drowning them all out.

Abby Livingston • February 23, 2026

Fairshake 451

The crypto-backed super PAC Fairshake is on a bipartisan search-and-destroy mission to take out congressional critics this cycle, starting in the Democratic primaries. “They are becoming really, really organized,” one strategist said. And they’ve got nearly $200 million in cash on hand.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • February 22, 2026

Shapiro & Moore Take D.C.

Frustrations with ICE boiled over in a private meeting of the National Governors Association, where even Republican members were concerned with Trump’s push to nationalize elections. Meanwhile, on the sidelines, one question dominated all others: Who’s running for president?

Abby Livingston • February 19, 2026

Jasmine Crockett Counter Theories

For a moment, the Texas Senate primary seemed straightforward for Democrats. But while James Talarico has capitalized on his Colbert media moment and a commanding financial lead, Crockett’s strong polling and social media recognition will keep the party guessing until the end.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • February 18, 2026

Trump’s $1.4B Midterm Revenge Tour

As midterm season kicks into gear, Republicans fret over what Trump plans to do with his war chest, while a set of high-profile primaries prove everything is indeed bigger in Texas.

Peter Hamby • February 17, 2026

Dems’ Fightin’ Words

Democrats still can’t do much of anything until they reclaim at least one chamber of Congress, but they’re finally figuring out how to speak about Trump without losing the plot. Fresh polling from Blueprint Research measures which messaging is actually landing with voters.

Julia Ioffe • February 16, 2026

La La Greenland

At the Munich Security Conference, American lawmakers struggled to reassure European allies who are still traumatized by Trump’s threats to invade Greenland. Lindsey Graham’s F-bombs didn’t help.

Leigh Ann Caldwell • February 15, 2026

The Britt Factor

An Alabama conservative, Trump ally, and Democrat whisperer, Katie Britt has built a career on charming both parties. But triangulation has a short shelf life in Trump’s Washington.