Poli Alert Politics & Civics

The Senate is set to vote Wednesday on whether to block Donald Trump from using further military force against Iran without congressional authorization, as lawmakers from both parties raise concerns about the scope and duration of the escalating conflict. The measure, introduced by Tim Kaine and co-sponsored by Rand Paul, …

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that an American submarine torpedoed an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, marking a significant escalation in the expanding U.S. military campaign against Iran. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth said the Iranian vessel “thought it was safe in international waters,” but “instead, …

In a critical 2026 battle for control of the U.S. Senate, The Associated Press early Wednesday declared James Talarico the winner of the Democratic primary in Texas, while incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton will spend weeks to come competing in a runoff election. The AP …

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced some of her sharpest criticism yet Tuesday as senators from both parties pressed her on her leadership of the Department of Homeland Security, immigration enforcement practices and spending decisions. Appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee for the first time since immigration officers fatally shot …

The Justice Department told a federal appeals court Tuesday that it will continue defending President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting several prominent law firms — a sharp reversal less than 24 hours after informing the same court it planned to abandon the appeal. In a brief filing to the U.S. …

The U.S. State Department on Tuesday ordered the mandatory departure of non-emergency personnel and family members from six Middle Eastern countries, citing escalating security concerns after the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia was struck by two Iranian drones. Officials are also urging Americans across the region to leave as soon …

Voting concludes Tuesday in the first primaries of the 2026 midterm elections in Arkansas,North Carolina and Texas. The results will provide a glimpse into voters’ mood as the primary season opens and give a sense of what type of candidate appeals to each party’s base. Crucially, the rapid succession of …

The White House is asserting that sweeping and deadly U.S. military strikes against Iran were necessary to stop an imminent threat to American forces, but has so far provided no public evidence that Tehran was preparing such an attack. Nearly two days after the United States launched its largest military …

Mamdani. More than a moment. Study the mechanics. This is not about whether you agree with socialism. This is not about crowning the next progressive star. This is about stripping away partisanship and studying campaign mechanics that apply anywhere in the country. When I say “mechanics,” I mean the on-the-ground …

Three U.S. Air Force fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait during what American officials described Monday as an apparent friendly fire incident while the aircraft were taking part in the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran. In a statement, U.S. Central Command said the jets were mistakenly struck by Kuwaiti …

U.S. stocks opened lower Monday as oil prices surged amid signs that U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran were expanding across the Middle East, intensifying fears of potential disruptions to global petroleum supplies. The S&P 500 fell 53 points, or 0.8%, in early trading, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped …

Four American service members have been killed and four others seriously wounded during Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, U.S. Central Command said Monday. CENTCOM said one of the wounded troops died overnight after initially surviving Iran’s first wave of retaliatory attacks, raising the death toll …

For decades, statewide Democratic primaries in Texas were low-octane affairs. Then came the 2026 election cycle. In a year that Democrats see as a prime opportunity to finally flip Texas — amid flagging approval for the second Trump administration, a vicious Senate primary on the Republican side and the potential …

A New York businesswoman was sentenced Friday to nine years in federal prison for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that swindled more than $30 million from foreign investors and illegally funneled some of the stolen money into U.S. political campaigns, including a fundraiser for President Donald Trump, prosecutors said. Sherry …

Top congressional Democrats on Saturday called for Congress to immediately return to Washington and vote on whether to halt further U.S. military action against Iran, after President Donald Trump signaled a potentially extended conflict aimed at forcing regime change in Tehran. The House and Senate were already expected to consider …