https://www.nytimes.com/section/politics en-us Copyright 2026 The New York Times Company Fri, 01 May 2026 02:30:22 +0000 Fri, 01 May 2026 02:18:43 +0000 https://static01.nyt.com/images/misc/NYT_logo_rss_250x40.png https://www.nytimes.com/section/politics https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/schumer-platner-mills-maine-senate.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/schumer-platner-mills-maine-senate.html The top Senate Democrat and the Maine contender had what was described as a cordial conversation despite Schumer’s backing of his primary opponent. Carl Hulse Fri, 01 May 2026 01:05:21 +0000 Midterm Elections (2026) Schumer, Charles E Maine Mills, Janet T (1947- ) Platner, Graham Senate Democratic Party Trump, Donald J Sophie Park for The New York Times Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate in Maine’s Senate race, speaking at a town hall in Sabattus, Maine, on Wednesday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/hegseth-senate-hearing-takeaways.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/hegseth-senate-hearing-takeaways.html The secretary was also questioned over civilian deaths, an accusation of antisemitic remarks and women in combat. John Ismay Fri, 01 May 2026 01:30:12 +0000 Hegseth, Pete Wicker, Roger Jesus Christ United States Defense and Military Forces US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) United States Politics and Government Civilian Casualties Anti-Semitism United States Economy Defense Department Senate Committee on Armed Services Joint Chiefs of Staff Anna Rose Layden for The New York Times Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, left, and Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/trumps-hegseth-weapons-production.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/trumps-hegseth-weapons-production.html While the defense industry has announced plans to make more munitions, much of that expanded production will not quickly kick in. Helene Cooper and Eric Schmitt Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:02:31 +0000 United States Politics and Government United States Defense and Military Forces US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) Budgets and Budgeting Defense Contracts Missiles and Missile Defense Systems Defense Department House Committee on Armed Services Lockheed Martin Corporation Senate Committee on Armed Services Hegseth, Pete Scott, Austin (1969- ) Middle East Trump, Donald J Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images The administration does not yet have the funding or congressional support for the weapons it needs for the possible future wars. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/james-comey-indictment-trump.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/james-comey-indictment-trump.html In naming only an interim successor as acting attorney general, President Trump has established even greater incentives to execute his most extreme demands, current and former officials say. Glenn Thrush Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:46:32 +0000 United States Politics and Government Russian Interference in 2016 US Elections and Ties to Trump Associates Federal Bureau of Investigation Justice Department Blanche, Todd (Attorney) Bondi, Pamela J Comey, James B Trump, Donald J Nathan Howard/Reuters Todd Blanche, who is seeking to become the permanent attorney general, is currently examining a range of other potential charges against James B. Comey. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/king-charles-trump-potluck-whisky.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/king-charles-trump-potluck-whisky.html King Charles III and Queen Camilla had a ceremonial farewell at the White House before attending a block party in Front Royal, Va. Michael D. Shear Fri, 01 May 2026 02:18:43 +0000 Royal Families United States Politics and Government Whiskey Charles III, King of the United Kingdom Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom Scotland Shenandoah National Park (Va) Virginia Great Britain Harlem (Manhattan, NY) Kenny Holston/The New York Times The president and the first lady bidding farewell to King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Thursday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/senate-prediction-markets-ban.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/senate-prediction-markets-ban.html Senators voted unanimously to prohibit betting practices in the chamber after some users made hundreds of thousands of dollars online by accurately predicting U.S. military actions. Minho Kim Fri, 01 May 2026 00:19:22 +0000 United States Politics and Government United States Defense and Military Forces United States International Relations Gambling Insider Trading Senate Kalshi Inc Polymarket (Adventure One QSS Inc) Schumer, Charles E Karsten Moran for The New York Times Anonymous users of prediction markets like Kalshi can bet on a certain outcome of future events, including major policy decisions of the U.S. government. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/congress-surveillance-extension.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/congress-surveillance-extension.html Senator Ron Wyden secured an agreement to seek the declassification of a recent intelligence court ruling about the FISA Section 702 program. Charlie Savage and Michael Gold Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:10:35 +0000 United States Politics and Government Surveillance of Citizens by Government Wiretapping and Other Eavesdropping Devices and Methods Law and Legislation Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Civil Rights and Liberties Espionage and Intelligence Services Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court Senate Senate Committee on Intelligence House of Representatives Wyden, Ron Kenny Holston/The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/upshot/gerrymanders-redistricting-democrats-republicans.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/upshot/gerrymanders-redistricting-democrats-republicans.html The redrawing of America’s congressional districts is sure to escalate after the Supreme Court’s decision, with some maps that would have seemed laughable a year ago. Nate Cohn Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:13:18 +0000 Redistricting and Reapportionment Voting Rights Act (1965) Elections, House of Representatives Midterm Elections (2026) United States Politics and Government Republican Party Democratic Party States (US) The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/supreme-courts-voting-rights-gerrymandering.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/supreme-courts-voting-rights-gerrymandering.html The expected flood of new congressional maps is likely to produce fewer competitive districts, fewer ways for voters to hold elected officials accountable and more polarized politics. Nick Corasaniti Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:56:03 +0000 Redistricting and Reapportionment Supreme Court (US) Louisiana Trump, Donald J Midterm Elections (2026) United States Politics and Government Decisions and Verdicts Elections, House of Representatives Primaries and Caucuses Voting Rights Act (1965) Voting Rights, Registration and Requirements Black People Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times The Supreme Court’s ruling on the Voting Rights Act could unleash another redistricting arms race. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/hegseth-iran-cease-fire-congress.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/hegseth-iran-cease-fire-congress.html The defense secretary testified on the eve of the 60-day mark of the war, a major statutory deadline for the president to withdraw forces or seek approval from Congress to continue the fight. Megan Mineiro Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:18:25 +0000 United States Politics and Government US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) War Powers Act (1973) Senate Senate Committee on Armed Services Hegseth, Pete Caine, John Daniel (1968- ) Anna Rose Layden for The New York Times Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified for the second straight day on Capitol Hill on Thursday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/janet-mills-schumer-strategy.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/janet-mills-schumer-strategy.html Senator Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat and minority leader, considered the Maine governor his top recruit for winning the majority. Critics said her collapse showed he is out of touch with the party’s voters. Annie Karni Fri, 01 May 2026 01:41:56 +0000 United States Politics and Government Midterm Elections (2026) Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Progressive Change Campaign Committee Democratic Party Senate Elections, Senate Schumer, Charles E Mills, Janet T (1947- ) Platner, Graham Eric Lee for The New York Times Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, at the Capitol last month. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/casey-means-surgeon-general-withdraw.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/casey-means-surgeon-general-withdraw.html Dr. Means’s nomination had stalled in part over her views on vaccines. The president said he was instead nominating Dr. Nicole B. Saphier, a radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Dani Blum Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:46:41 +0000 Surgeon General (US) United States Politics and Government Saphier, Nicole B Trump, Donald J Appointments and Executive Changes Health and Human Services Department Cassidy, Bill (1957- ) Kennedy, Robert F Jr Means, Calley Means, Casey (1987- ) Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Vaccination and Immunization Alex Kent for The New York Times The withdrawal of Dr. Casey Means’s nomination is bound to be a deep disappointment for the Make America Healthy Again movement. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/house-homeland-security-funding-bill.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/house-homeland-security-funding-bill.html Republicans were forced to use a special maneuver to steer around opposition in their own party and speed the measure to the floor, relying on Democratic cooperation to push it through. Carl Hulse and Michael Gold Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:21:55 +0000 United States Politics and Government Illegal Immigration Immigration and Emigration Shutdowns (Institutional) Homeland Security Department House of Representatives Immigration and Customs Enforcement (US) Republican Party Johnson, Mike (1972- ) Trump, Donald J internal-open-access-from-nl Kenny Holston/The New York Times The legislation pays for Department of Homeland Security operations through Sept. 30, except for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and parts of border patrol, which received an earlier influx of money from a Republican-only bill. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/house-farm-bill-republican-infighting.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/house-farm-bill-republican-infighting.html The measure exposed rifts within the G.O.P., pitting lawmakers aligned with the Make American Healthy Again movement against those representing traditional agricultural interests. Linda Qiu Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:01:07 +0000 United States Politics and Government Farm Bill (US) Agriculture and Farming One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025) Food Stamps Pesticides House Committee on Agriculture House of Representatives Democratic Party Republican Party Max Whittaker for The New York Times The House approved a $390 billion measure to set the country’s agricultural policy. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/voting-rights-act-young-black-democrats.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/voting-rights-act-young-black-democrats.html Black Democrats in the South already face steep challenges when seeking political office. But the Supreme Court’s ruling could be felt for a generation. Rick Rojas Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:39:29 +0000 United States Politics and Government Voting Rights Act (1965) Minorities Redistricting and Reapportionment Voting Rights, Registration and Requirements Republican Party House of Representatives Democratic Party Alito, Samuel A Jr Turnage, Evan Georgia Southern States (US) Rory Doyle for The New York Times Evan Turnage, a former congressional aide, recently challenged the veteran Democratic lawmaker Bennie Thompson in a Mississippi district vulnerable to being redrawn. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/trump-china-iran.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/trump-china-iran.html If President Trump flies to China as planned in May, the primary topic will clearly be the rippling economic effects of a war that Beijing has made clear it viewed as unnecessary. David E. Sanger and Tyler Pager Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:23:27 +0000 US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) United States Politics and Government United States International Relations Trump, Donald J Xi Jinping China Iran Persian Gulf Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times A mural in Tehran last week showing Iran controlling the Strait of Hormuz. China imports about a third of its oil and gas through the waterway. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/trump-report-christians-biden.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/trump-report-christians-biden.html A new report is the latest effort by the Justice Department to argue that it is removing political bias from prosecutorial decision-making. Devlin Barrett Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:05:19 +0000 United States Politics and Government Religion-State Relations School Boards Christians and Christianity Abortion Places of Worship Attorneys General Freedom of Religion Federal Bureau of Investigation Justice Department National School Boards Assn Southern Poverty Law Center Blanche, Todd (Attorney) Biden, Joseph R Jr Garland, Merrick B Trump, Donald J Salwan Georges for The New York Times Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, vowed that the Justice Department would “continue to expose bad actors who targeted Christians.” https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/the-docket-roberts-voting-rights.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/the-docket-roberts-voting-rights.html Since his early days as a lawyer and in his first years on the bench, the chief justice has worked to limit the force of the Voting Rights Act. Adam Liptak Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:00:19 +0000 Voting Rights Act (1965) Law and Legislation Midterm Elections (2026) United States Politics and Government Decisions and Verdicts Voting Rights, Registration and Requirements Suits and Litigation (Civil) Discrimination Courts and the Judiciary Supreme Court (US) Alito, Samuel A Jr Roberts, John G Jr Trump, Donald J Ron Edmonds/Associated Press John Roberts and other nominees to the federal bench with President George W. Bush in 2001. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/04/30/us/trump-news/senator-reed-a-democrat-attacks-hegseth-right-out-of-the-gate https://www.nytimes.com/live/2026/04/30/us/trump-news/senator-reed-a-democrat-attacks-hegseth-right-out-of-the-gate Eric Schmitt and John Ismay Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:56:47 +0000 Anna Rose Layden for The New York Times Senator Jack Reed, Democrat of Rhode Island, said during an Armed Services Committees hearing on Thursday that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had “dangerously exaggerated” the U.S. military’s accomplishments in the Iran war. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/education-department-graduate-loans.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/education-department-graduate-loans.html The changes stem from student loan provisions in a sprawling tax and domestic policy bill signed into law last year. Michael C. Bender Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:12:56 +0000 Student Loans United States Politics and Government One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025) Graduate Schools and Students Colleges and Universities Education Department (US) Trump, Donald J Eric Lee for The New York Times Officials in the Trump administration contend that reducing the amount of money that students can borrow will force universities to lower tuition. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/louisiana-suspend-primaries-supreme-court.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/louisiana-suspend-primaries-supreme-court.html The Louisiana secretary of state said the House primary election would be delayed after the court ruled the state’s congressional districts unconstitutional. The Senate primary will go forward on May 16. Emily Cochrane and Nick Corasaniti Thu, 30 Apr 2026 22:23:15 +0000 Governors (US) Louisiana Midterm Elections (2026) United States Politics and Government Decisions and Verdicts Redistricting and Reapportionment Politics and Government Elections, House of Representatives Primaries and Caucuses Landry, Jeffrey Martin Mark Schiefelbein/Associated Press Gov. Jeff Landry of Louisiana, a Republican, outside the White House in 2025. Mr. Landry is weighing whether to suspend the state’s May 16 primary to redraw congressional maps. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/health/sara-brenner-cdc-kennedy.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/health/sara-brenner-cdc-kennedy.html Dr. Sara Brenner is a physician, an F.D.A. official and a “MAHA mom” who has said people should not reflexively believe in the benefits of vaccines. Apoorva Mandavilli Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:29:39 +0000 United States Politics and Government Appointments and Executive Changes Medicine and Health Vaccination and Immunization Content Type: Personal Profile Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Food and Drug Administration Health and Human Services Department Brenner, Sara (Doctor) Trump, Donald J Kennedy, Robert F Jr Schwartz, Erica (Doctor) Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters Dr. Sara Brenner fully embraced the Make America Healthy Again movement after being named the acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, signing her first emails to the agency’s staff with the slogan. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/janet-mills-drops-out-senate-race-platner-schumer.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/janet-mills-drops-out-senate-race-platner-schumer.html Her withdrawal reflects the energy of the party’s left and voters’ unease with older candidates and paves the way for Graham Platner to challenge Senator Susan Collins in November. Lisa Lerer, Katie Glueck and Reid J. Epstein Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:06:26 +0000 Maine Mills, Janet T (1947- ) Platner, Graham Primaries and Caucuses Democratic Party Elections, Senate Midterm Elections (2026) United States Politics and Government Senate Schumer, Charles E Collins, Susan M Sophie Park for The New York Times Gov. Janet Mills of Maine was not able to match the fund-raising of Graham Platner, a progressive political newcomer, or his standing in polls of Maine Democrats. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/democrats-independent-redistricting-commissions.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/democrats-independent-redistricting-commissions.html A decade ago, the party sought independent redistricting commissions. Now, in an era of extreme gerrymandering, such efforts could slow Democrats as they try to keep up with Republicans. Reid J. Epstein Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:04:47 +0000 Redistricting and Reapportionment Democratic Party United States Politics and Government State Legislatures Midterm Elections (2026) Referendums National Democratic Redistricting Committee Federal-State Relations (US) Rachel Woolf/Associated Press Colorado has an independent redistricting commission that Democrats are now trying to undo. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-conservatives.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/30/us/politics/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-conservatives.html The majority said the law was a victim of its own success and no longer needed. Dissenters responded that Congress should make the call. Adam Liptak Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:24:38 +0000 Voting Rights Act (1965) Minorities Midterm Elections (2026) Voting Rights, Registration and Requirements Law and Legislation United States Politics and Government Redistricting and Reapportionment Civil Rights and Liberties Discrimination Elections, Courts and the Judiciary Civil Rights Movement (1954-68) Elections, House of Representatives Midterm Elections (2022) Politics and Government Supreme Court (US) Alito, Samuel A Jr Ginsburg, Ruth Bader Associated Press People lining up to register to vote in Selma, Ala., in February 1965. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/us/politics/house-ice-budget-immigration.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/us/politics/house-ice-budget-immigration.html The measure will allow the G.O.P. to begin working on a filibuster-proof bill to fund ICE and C.B.P., part of their plan to reopen the long-shuttered Department of Homeland Security. Michael Gold Thu, 30 Apr 2026 02:47:13 +0000 United States Politics and Government House of Representatives Federal Budget (US) Republican Party Democratic Party Homeland Security Department Immigration and Customs Enforcement (US) Customs and Border Protection (US) Trump, Donald J Illegal Immigration Jamie Kelter Davis for The New York Times Federal agents outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Chicago last year.