https://www.nytimes.com/section/politics en-us Copyright 2026 The New York Times Company Mon, 18 May 2026 16:44:23 +0000 Mon, 18 May 2026 15:08:13 +0000 https://static01.nyt.com/images/misc/NYT_logo_rss_250x40.png https://www.nytimes.com/section/politics https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/hegseth-gallrein-campaign.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/hegseth-gallrein-campaign.html Defense Department officials typically stay away from partisan politics to maintain the military’s apolitical image. Eric Schmitt Mon, 18 May 2026 13:25:33 +0000 United States Politics and Government United States Defense and Military Forces Ethics and Official Misconduct Republican Party Gallrein, Ed Trump, Donald J Hegseth, Pete Kentucky Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary, testifying at the Capitol last week. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/upshot/trump-poll-times-siena-analyis.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/upshot/trump-poll-times-siena-analyis.html A 37 percent approval rating in a new Times/Siena poll suggests the G.O.P. is facing a big midterm problem despite recent redistricting gains. Nate Cohn Mon, 18 May 2026 09:18:39 +0000 New York Times/Siena College Poll Polls and Public Opinion Trump, Donald J Midterm Elections (2026) United States Politics and Government US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) Tom Brenner for The New York Times President Trump’s approval rating is his lowest recorded in a Times/Siena survey. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/thomas-massie-kentucky-trump-election.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/thomas-massie-kentucky-trump-election.html Representative Thomas Massie, the Republican who wears his rifts with President Trump as badges of honor, is battling Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein to keep his seat. Robert Draper Mon, 18 May 2026 15:01:57 +0000 United States Politics and Government Midterm Elections (2026) Elections, House of Representatives Political Advertising Republican Party Massie, Thomas H Trump, Donald J Gallrein, Ed Kentucky Madeleine Hordinski for The New York Times Ed Gallrein campaigning last week in Simpsonville, Ky. A victory by Mr. Gallrein would be seen by other Republicans as evidence that President Trump’s hold over the party remains absolute. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/poll-trump-republicans-midterms-iran.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/poll-trump-republicans-midterms-iran.html With the midterms nearing, President Trump’s approval rating has hit a second-term low as voters question his handling of the economy, according to the latest New York Times/Siena poll. Lisa Lerer, Ruth Igielnik and Camille Baker Mon, 18 May 2026 09:02:01 +0000 Midterm Elections (2026) Trump, Donald J US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) Iran-Israel War (2025- ) Polls and Public Opinion United States Politics and Government United States Economy Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) Voting and Voters Republican Party Democratic Party New York Times/Siena College Poll Ashley Cai/The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-timing.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-timing.html The timing brought the court into the middle of a fight to redraw voting maps across the South, even as some primaries were underway. Abbie VanSickle Mon, 18 May 2026 09:01:57 +0000 Decisions and Verdicts United States Politics and Government Redistricting and Reapportionment Midterm Elections (2026) Voting Rights Act (1965) Voting Rights, Registration and Requirements Law and Legislation Politics and Government Elections, Courts and the Judiciary Republican Party Supreme Court (US) Alito, Samuel A Jr Trump, Donald J Eric Lee for The New York Times The timing of the Supreme Court’s decision has complicated voting maps in several states, even as some had begun their primary process. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/business/health-insurance-delays-denials.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/business/health-insurance-delays-denials.html Doctors and patients complain that the controversial practice of prior authorization for treatment and procedures is still widespread. Reed Abelson Mon, 18 May 2026 09:01:38 +0000 Health Insurance and Managed Care United States Politics and Government Law and Legislation Regulation and Deregulation of Industry State Legislatures Medicare Insurance Medicare Advantage Doctors Aetna Inc American Medical Assn Blue Cross and Blue Shield Assn CVS Caremark Corporation KFF (Nonprofit) OptumRx Inc Biden, Joseph R Jr Trump, Donald J Lindsay D'Addato for The New York Times Candace Rond, center, with her daughters Gabby, left, and Sophia, who both have juvenile arthritis. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/ken-paxton-texas-senate-race.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/us/politics/ken-paxton-texas-senate-race.html The fate of Ken Paxton, the conservative Texas firebrand, could decide whether Republicans keep control of the Senate. Michael Kruse and Lauren McGaughy Mon, 18 May 2026 15:08:13 +0000 Paxton, Ken Midterm Elections (2026) Republican Party Texas Cornyn, John Talarico, James Desiree Rios for The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/taiwan-china-us-arms-deal.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/taiwan-china-us-arms-deal.html After President Trump hinted that weapons sales to Taiwan could figure in negotiations with China, officials emphasized their island’s strategic importance. Minho Kim Mon, 18 May 2026 00:13:36 +0000 United States International Relations Territorial Disputes Defense Contracts Lai Ching-te Greer, Jamieson L Trump, Donald J Xi Jinping Taiwan China United States Ann Wang/Reuters President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan on Sunday. He called Taiwan a guardian of “peace and stability.” https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/jared-polis-trump-tina-peters.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/jared-polis-trump-tina-peters.html Gov. Jared Polis’s decision to commute the sentence of Tina Peters came after months of tense discussions, including one with President Trump. Nick Corasaniti and Jack Healy Sun, 17 May 2026 20:18:34 +0000 United States Politics and Government Presidential Election of 2020 Peters, Tina Polis, Jared S (1975- ) Trump, Donald J Colorado Natalie Behring for The New York Times Tina Peters speaking at a Trump rally in Wyoming in 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/letlow-fleming-cassidy-louisiana-senate.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/letlow-fleming-cassidy-louisiana-senate.html He was defeated in the Republican primary in Louisiana on Saturday. Representative Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming are now in a runoff for the party’s nomination. Tim Balk Sun, 17 May 2026 19:32:35 +0000 Midterm Elections (2026) United States Politics and Government Republican Party Fleming, John (1951- ) Letlow, Julia Cassidy, Bill (1957- ) Annie Flanagan for The New York Times Representative Julia Letlow at her election watch party in Baton Rouge, La. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/trump-billionaire-iran-war-cost.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/trump-billionaire-iran-war-cost.html The president has never pretended to be an ordinary American, but a recent “truth bomb” has opened him to criticism that he doesn’t grasp the economic strain of his war with Iran. Erica L. Green Sun, 17 May 2026 16:45:34 +0000 United States Politics and Government Inflation (Economics) Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) Mar-a-Lago (Palm Beach, Fla) Democratic Party Republican Party Bush, George W Carville, James Duffy, Sean P Trump, Donald J Vance, J D United States Doug Mills/The New York Times President Trump made remarks on Tuesday at the White House, ahead of departing for his trip to China. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/business/for-trump-soaring-prices-test-voters-finances-and-patience.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/business/for-trump-soaring-prices-test-voters-finances-and-patience.html Just months before another election that may hinge on the economy, the war in Iran has sent gas and other goods soaring. Tony Romm and Ben Casselman Sun, 17 May 2026 09:02:12 +0000 United States Politics and Government US and Israeli Attack on Iran (2026) United States Economy Inflation (Economics) Midterm Elections (2026) Federal Reserve System Trump, Donald J Prices (Fares, Fees and Rates) Oil (Petroleum) and Gasoline Polls and Public Opinion Cost of Living and Affordability Eric Lee for The New York Times “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation,” President Trump said recently when asked if economic pain was motivating him to make a deal with Iran. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/trump-cassidy-midterms-louisiana-primary.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/trump-cassidy-midterms-louisiana-primary.html The defeat showed the president’s dominance in his party, even as a broader range of views about Mr. Trump could be a major Republican liability in the midterms. Tim Balk Sun, 17 May 2026 18:29:50 +0000 United States Politics and Government Midterm Elections (2026) Republican Party Boebert, Lauren Cassidy, Bill (1957- ) Trump, Donald J Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times President Trump at the White House on Friday. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/upshot/redistricting-race-court-gerrymanders-elections.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/upshot/redistricting-race-court-gerrymanders-elections.html Our simulations debunk the notion that the act created artificial minority districts that wouldn’t otherwise exist. Nate Cohn and Eve Washington Sun, 17 May 2026 14:50:13 +0000 Redistricting and Reapportionment Voting Rights Act (1965) Black People Midterm Elections (2026) United States Politics and Government Minorities Tennessee Memphis (Tenn) Elections, House of Representatives Discrimination Race and Ethnicity The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/kentuckys-curious-cast-of-political-characters.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/kentuckys-curious-cast-of-political-characters.html The state, where a rebellious Republican faces a tough primary challenge on Tuesday, has an unpredictable political landscape that has produced a long list of surprising figures. Reid J. Epstein Sun, 17 May 2026 14:26:19 +0000 Kentucky Midterm Elections (2026) Massie, Thomas H Beshear, Andrew G (1977- ) Paul, Rand Chandler, Albert Benjamin III McConnell, Mitch Republican Party Democratic Party United States Politics and Government vis-design The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/epstein-reummler-reputation-management.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/epstein-reummler-reputation-management.html Terakeet, a reputation management firm, used online tricks to downplay the friendship of the Goldman Sachs general counsel, Kathryn Ruemmler, with the sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It wasn’t enough. Robert Draper Mon, 18 May 2026 13:41:50 +0000 Search Engines Banking and Financial Institutions Sex Crimes Public Relations and Publicity Human Trafficking Legal Profession Artificial Intelligence Computers and the Internet Goldman Sachs Group Inc Google Inc House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform New York Times Wikipedia Buffett, Warren E Clinton, Hillary Rodham Epstein, Jeffrey E (1953- ) Obama, Barack Otaiba, Yousef al- Ruemmler, Kathryn Smith, Robert F (1962- ) Solomon, David M https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/seattle-mayor-tax-the-rich-starbucks.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/seattle-mayor-tax-the-rich-starbucks.html Seattle voters elected Mayor Katie Wilson as tensions rose over wealth inequality, but as Starbucks, one of the city’s most iconic companies, expands in Nashville, she is finding her limits. Anna Griffin and Emily Cochrane Sun, 17 May 2026 20:37:29 +0000 Midterm Elections (2026) Income Inequality United States Politics and Government High Net Worth Individuals Starbucks Corporation Niccol, Brian Schultz, Howard D Seattle (Wash) Nashville (Tenn) Wilson, Katie (1982- ) M. Scott Brauer for The New York Times Starbucks workers were among many union workers at the annual May Day rally and march celebrating International Workers’ Day in Seattle on May 1. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/lamar-alexander-republicans-trump.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/us/politics/lamar-alexander-republicans-trump.html In a new memoir, the former senator, governor and cabinet member says President Trump committed an impeachable offense on Jan. 6 and calls on Congress to assert its power. Carl Hulse Sun, 17 May 2026 09:00:06 +0000 United States Politics and Government Midterm Elections (2026) Impeachment Trump-Ukraine Whistle-Blower Complaint and Impeachment Inquiry Storming of the US Capitol (Jan, 2021) Republican Party Senate Alexander, Lamar Trump, Donald J Caroline Gutman for The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/16/us/politics/republicans-trump-cassidy-conviction-impeachment.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/16/us/politics/republicans-trump-cassidy-conviction-impeachment.html Senator Bill Cassidy’s defeat means no more than two of them will be left in Congress next year. Tim Balk Sun, 17 May 2026 03:39:15 +0000 Trump, Donald J Impeachment Senate Republican Party United States Politics and Government Burr, Richard M Cassidy, Bill (1957- ) Collins, Susan M Murkowski, Lisa Romney, Mitt Sasse, Benjamin E Toomey, Patrick J Eric Lee for The New York Times Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, voted to convict Mr. Trump in his second impeachment trial. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/16/us/politics/white-house-ballroom-senate.html https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/16/us/politics/white-house-ballroom-senate.html Democrats announced Saturday night that the Senate’s top parliamentary referee had determined that the $1 billion provision did not comply with budget rules. Carl Hulse Sun, 17 May 2026 02:43:31 +0000 White House East Wing and Ballroom (Washington, DC) Federal Budget (US) Democratic Party Republican Party Senate United States Politics and Government Trump, Donald J Allison Robbert for The New York Times Crews continued work on the White House ballroom on Friday.