https://www.nytimes.com/section/politics en-us Copyright 2026 The New York Times Company Tue, 15 Sep 2026 16:02:42 +0000 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:27:40 +0000 https://static01.nyt.com/images/misc/NYT_logo_rss_250x40.png https://www.nytimes.com/section/politics https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/politics/congress-ai-regulation-bills.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/politics/congress-ai-regulation-bills.html For years, Democrats and Republicans have proposed bills to address the greatest threats posed by artificial intelligence. Many remain stymied by political disputes. Tony Romm, Dustin Volz and Michael Gold Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:25:20 +0000 Artificial Intelligence United States Politics and Government Law and Legislation Regulation and Deregulation of Industry Social Media Politics and Government United States Economy Anthropic AI LLC Trump, Donald J House of Representatives Senate Kenny Holston/The New York Times Democrats and Republicans in Congress have issued a battery of measures focused on A.I., but lawmakers have largely failed to enact any of the proposals. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/climate/fema-cuts-court-order.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/climate/fema-cuts-court-order.html A plan to halve the agency’s sprawling work force was illegal, a judge ruled. But the court is not blocking other FEMA cuts. Scott Dance Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:25:18 +0000 Federal Emergency Management Agency Decisions and Verdicts Government Employees Disasters and Emergencies Layoffs and Job Reductions United States Politics and Government Suits and Litigation (Civil) Democracy Forward (Nonprofit) Homeland Security Department Government Efficiency Department (US) Al Drago for The New York Times The headquarters of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D.C. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/politics/trump-supreme-court-mail-voting.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/politics/trump-supreme-court-mail-voting.html In a blistering attack on the court, President Trump said “these are not the people I interviewed” to serve as justices. Tyler Pager Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:01:16 +0000 United States Politics and Government Decisions and Verdicts Absentee Voting Midterm Elections (2026) Courts and the Judiciary Supreme Court (US) Alito, Samuel A Jr Barrett, Amy Coney Gorsuch, Neil M Kavanaugh, Brett M Thomas, Clarence Trump, Donald J Alex Kent/The New York Times President Trump’s attempts to change mail voting were blocked by the Supreme Court on Monday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/politics/mail-ballots-trump-supreme-court-trust.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/politics/mail-ballots-trump-supreme-court-trust.html President Trump’s efforts to restrict mail voting ahead of the midterms were thwarted by the Supreme Court, but they have sowed confusion and doubt among some voters. Nick Corasaniti, Anna Griffin and Richard Fausset Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:04:27 +0000 Midterm Elections (2026) United States Politics and Government Absentee Voting Presidential Power (US) Executive Orders and Memorandums Supreme Court (US) Trump, Donald J Postal Service (US) Matt Ramey/Associated Press Election workers preparing absentee ballots this month in Raleigh, N.C. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/upshot/times-siena-national-poll.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/upshot/times-siena-national-poll.html A Times/Siena national poll suggests Republicans are reeling. Can they come back by depicting Democrats as too far to the left? Nate Cohn Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:09:19 +0000 Polls and Public Opinion Midterm Elections (2026) United States Politics and Government Trump, Donald J Elections, Senate Democratic Party Illustration by The New York Times; Photograph by Getty Images https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/politics/trump-midterm-election-poll.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/politics/trump-midterm-election-poll.html Even some Republicans are losing faith in Trump’s economy, a New York Times/Siena poll found, and Democrats were favored on the top issues as the sprint to the midterms gets underway. Shane Goldmacher, Ruth Igielnik and Sophia June Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:02:56 +0000 United States Politics and Government Midterm Elections (2026) Polls and Public Opinion US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) Elections, House of Representatives Cost of Living and Affordability Democratic Party House of Representatives New York Times/Siena College Poll Republican Party Senate Trump, Donald J Edison Wu/The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/politics/ai-safety-2028-election-democrats.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/politics/ai-safety-2028-election-democrats.html Alex Bores, who lost a congressional primary contest that revolved around A.I. regulation, is trying to position himself at the center of the conversation for the next presidential election. Benjamin Oreskes and Theodore Schleifer Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:02:21 +0000 Bores, Alex Anthropic AI LLC Democratic Party OpenAI Labs Artificial Intelligence United States Politics and Government Regulation and Deregulation of Industry Midterm Elections (2026) Presidential Election of 2028 Heather Khalifa for The New York Times Alex Bores campaigning in Central Park in June. He lost a Democratic primary contest for the House that centered on A.I. regulation. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/politics/space-weapon-air-force-secretary.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/15/us/politics/space-weapon-air-force-secretary.html Troy E. Meink’s comments were the first public acknowledgment of American weapons in orbit. The Pentagon has been preparing for potential conflict in space with Russia or China. Francesca Regalado Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:30:50 +0000 United States Defense and Military Forces Defense and Military Forces Space and Astronomy Missiles and Missile Defense Systems Cyberwarfare and Defense Meink, Troy E United States Satellites United States Air Force United States Space Force Pool photo by Matt Rourke Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink speaks during the United States Air Force Academy graduation ceremony in Colorado Springs in May. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/supreme-court-trump-mail-in-ballots.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/supreme-court-trump-mail-in-ballots.html President Trump has launched a broad, governmentwide effort to take more control of state-run elections and sow doubt about the outcome. Zolan Kanno-Youngs Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:06:40 +0000 United States Politics and Government Absentee Voting Voting Rights, Registration and Requirements Federal-State Relations (US) Midterm Elections (2026) Trump, Donald J Homeland Security Department Justice Department Supreme Court (US) Postal Service (US) Rebecca Noble for The New York Times Mail ballots await their mailing date in Phoenix in 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/elections/mail-ballot-ruling-reaction.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/elections/mail-ballot-ruling-reaction.html Officials cheered the order blocking President Trump’s last-minute effort to change the rules on mail ballots, noting that some states had already mailed ballots. Chris Cameron Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:49:06 +0000 United States Politics and Government Midterm Elections (2026) Decisions and Verdicts States (US) Presidential Power (US) Executive Orders and Memorandums Postal Service (US) Supreme Court (US) Trump, Donald J Kavanaugh, Brett M Kenny Holston/The New York Times Jena Griswold, the Democratic secretary of state in Colorado, said in a statement that “Trump’s attempt to sabotage the 2026 elections has failed.” https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/foreign-students-visas-trump-ruling.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/foreign-students-visas-trump-ruling.html Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV wrote that the administration’s reasons for a rule limiting the length of stay for academics and journalists were “exceptionally weak.” Chris Cameron Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:44:15 +0000 Foreign Students (in US) Federal Courts (US) Saylor, F Dennis IV Decisions and Verdicts United States Politics and Government Lucy Lu for The New York Times A rally in support of international students at Harvard University last year. The Trump administration rule would have shortened the length of visas for international students, academics and foreign journalists. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/supreme-court-trump-mail-voting.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/supreme-court-trump-mail-voting.html The Trump administration had asked the justices to allow a new Postal Service plan to screen ballots just weeks before the midterm elections. Abbie VanSickle Tue, 15 Sep 2026 09:33:13 +0000 United States Politics and Government Federal-State Relations (US) Midterm Elections (2026) Absentee Voting Voting Rights, Registration and Requirements Decisions and Verdicts Suits and Litigation (Civil) Postal Service and Post Offices Voter Fraud (Election Fraud) Constitution (US) Postal Service (US) Supreme Court (US) Trump, Donald J United States Mike Kai Chen for The New York Times A resident drops off her mail ballot in Livermore, Calif., last month. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/jd-vance-kansas-campaign-midterms.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/jd-vance-kansas-campaign-midterms.html Why is JD Vance campaigning in a red state? Jess Bidgood Mon, 14 Sep 2026 22:49:22 +0000 Politics and Government Elections Midterm Elections (2026) Artificial Intelligence Elections, Senate Vice Presidents and Vice Presidency (US) Republican Party Senate Vance, J D Trump, Donald J Marshall, Roger W (1960- ) Kansas Pool photo by Mark Schiefelbein Vice President JD Vance in Olathe, Kan., today. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/gavin-newsom-kamala-harris-2028-president.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/gavin-newsom-kamala-harris-2028-president.html The comments made to CNN, if taken at face value, seemed to fly in the face of the California governor’s presidential ambitions. Reid J. Epstein Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:27:40 +0000 Presidential Election of 2028 Newsom, Gavin Harris, Kamala D Democratic Party Karsten Moran and Nick Hagen for The New York Times Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and former Vice President Kamala Harris are widely seen as potential 2028 presidential candidates. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/mcconnell-senate-absence.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/mcconnell-senate-absence.html Senator Mitch McConnell, the 84-year-old Kentucky Republican and former leader, had been absent for more than 13 weeks after a health incident, fueling questions about his ability to continue serving. Catie Edmondson, Carl Hulse and Michael Gold Mon, 14 Sep 2026 22:30:48 +0000 United States Politics and Government Senate Republican Party McConnell, Mitch Kentucky Tierney L. Cross for The New York Times Senator Mitch McConnell arriving for a vote at the Capitol on Monday afternoon. He had not been seen there since he last cast a floor vote on June 11. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/bernie-sanders-steve-bannon-ai-regulation-midterm-candidates.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/bernie-sanders-steve-bannon-ai-regulation-midterm-candidates.html The two men will appear separately at an event calling for a “pro-human” approach to A.I. as warnings mount from the industry and the technology’s danger becomes a midterm issue. Bayliss Wagner and Neil Vigdor Mon, 14 Sep 2026 21:31:09 +0000 Midterm Elections (2026) Artificial Intelligence United States Politics and Government Regulation and Deregulation of Industry Bannon, Stephen K Sanders, Bernard El-Sayed, Abdul Lawrence, William (1990- ) Angelina Katsanis and Desiree Rios for The New York Times Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/donald-trump-jr-wedding-russian-businessman.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/donald-trump-jr-wedding-russian-businessman.html The payments, totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, represented an extraordinary flouting of ethical norms for an American president’s family member. Ben Protess Mon, 14 Sep 2026 20:31:38 +0000 Ethics and Official Misconduct United States International Relations Weddings and Engagements Kremlev, Umar (1982- ) Trump, Donald J Jr Trump, Donald J Putin, Vladimir V International Boxing Assn Russia Alex Kent/The New York Times; Yulia Morozova/Reuters The president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., accepted the gifts from Umar Kremlev, the president of the International Boxing Association, according to people with knowledge of the matter. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/business/energy-environment/trump-diesel-russia-ukraine-iran.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/business/energy-environment/trump-diesel-russia-ukraine-iran.html President Trump recently blamed Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries for causing a spike in diesel prices, but analysts say the Iran war is probably a bigger factor. Lauren McCarthy Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:58:01 +0000 Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) Russian Invasion of Ukraine (2022) Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) Diesel Power United States Politics and Government Ships and Shipping United States International Relations Refineries International Trade and World Market Shortages Inflation (Economics) Trump, Donald J Iran Israel Russia Ukraine Strait of Hormuz Persian Gulf Saudi Arabia Jeff Chiu/Associated Press Diesel prices in the United States are up about 65 percent since Feb. 28, when the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran began. https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000011133700/why-is-dhs-getting-involved-in-elections.html https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000011133700/why-is-dhs-getting-involved-in-elections.html The Department of Homeland Security is in the midst of a weeks-long hunt for noncitizens among the nation’s registered voters despite the absence of evidence of widespread fraud. Reporter Hamed Aleaziz breaks down how a D.H.S. agency is using open-source state voter registration websites in their search for voter fraud. Hamed Aleaziz, Joy Sung, Nikolay Nikolov, Stephanie Swart, June Kim, Rafaela Balster, Alexandra Ostasiewicz and Whitney Shefte Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:10:49 +0000 Midterm Elections (2026) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/homeland-security-voter-fraud-investigation.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/homeland-security-voter-fraud-investigation.html Agents expressed concern about being directed by top Homeland Security leaders to use private information to look up voter records in state databases. Nick Corasaniti and Hamed Aleaziz Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:52:09 +0000 Voter Fraud (Election Fraud) Homeland Security Department Trump, Donald J Midterm Elections (2026) Immigration and Emigration Illegal Immigration Voting and Voters Whistle-Blowers Matt Gade/Associated Press New citizens registered to vote following a naturalization ceremony at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota last year. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/jd-vance-kansas-senate-race.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/jd-vance-kansas-senate-race.html Vice President JD Vance is beginning a key final stretch of midterm campaigning by dropping in on the Senate race in Kansas, where Republicans were long seen as heavily favored. Jess Bidgood Mon, 14 Sep 2026 22:15:57 +0000 Vance, J D Kansas Republican Party Elections, Senate Midterm Elections (2026) United States Politics and Government Marshall, Roger W (1960- ) Hamilton, Adam (1964- ) Pool photo by Mark Schiefelbein Vice President JD Vance is one of Republicans’ most valuable surrogates on the campaign trail. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/immigrants-foia.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/us/politics/immigrants-foia.html Many noncitizens need immigration records the government has to prove their legal stay and resist deportation. The government is redacting and withholding those documents, lawyers say. Minho Kim Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:58:17 +0000 Deportation Freedom of Information Act United States Politics and Government Citizenship and Immigration Services (US) Homeland Security Department Trump, Donald J Immigration and Emigration Illegal Immigration Alan Nakkash for The New York Times Federal law mandates that agencies provide immigrants facing deportations needed documents “pertaining to the alien’s admission or presence.”