Political Wire

Mamdani Says He May Still Order Netanyahu’s Arrest

July 18, 2026 at 1:24 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Mayor Zohran Mamdani said his administration was still discussing whether to arrest the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, if he comes to New York City as expected for the UN General Assembly in September,” the New York Times reports.

Said Mamdani: “I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs in the Hague.”

He added: “He’s a war criminal who has been charged by the International Criminal Court. And what you will find is that is an opinion that is held by many, purely because of what his actions have wrought over these last many years.”

Trump Baffles Republicans with Latest Moves

July 18, 2026 at 1:00 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“It was an address that many Republicans and even some of President Trump’s own advisers didn’t want him to make,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“But 18 months into his second term, the president has little interest in hearing the word no.”

“The prime-time address Thursday, in which Trump tried to raise doubts about the integrity of U.S. elections, was the latest in a string of decisions—at home and abroad—that have baffled and frustrated senior members of Trump’s own party, according to people familiar with the matter.”

“Some in the GOP worry Trump isn’t sufficiently focused on economic issues voters say they care about most, not to mention the Iran war that shows no sign of letting up, ahead of midterm elections in which Republicans are at risk of losing their majorities in Congress.”

The Rise and Fall of Ukraine’s Drone Warfare Mastermind

July 18, 2026 at 12:28 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“In his zealous efforts to popularize drone warfare, Ukraine’s young defense minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, also gained widespread popularity himself,” the New York Times reports.

“And that, political analysts and opposition politicians said, may have helped bring about his downfall this week, as President Volodymyr Zelensky sided against him in a titanic clash with the country’s top military commander.”

Saudi Nuclear Deal Awaits Trump Signature

July 18, 2026 at 12:00 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The Trump administration has tentatively agreed to allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium without enacting international safeguards intended to prevent nuclear weapons development,” CNN reports.

“The draft nuclear accord that outlines U.S. support for Riyadh’s civilian nuclear program is awaiting President Donald Trump’s signature despite U.S.-Saudi negotiations concluding in October 2025.”

GOP Exploits Democratic Left-Center Split

July 18, 2026 at 11:55 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The battle for the House majority will be won or lost in congressional districts like New York-17, NY-3, and NY-4, three crucial swing seats in suburban New York City,” Fox News reports.

“And as Republicans work to hold onto their razor-thin House majority in this autumn’s midterm elections, they view the ongoing battle between the left-wing and the center-left establishment for the future of the Democratic Party as political ammunition as they portray Democrats as radicals.”

Democrats Fracture On Israel Military Aid

July 18, 2026 at 11:46 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Punchbowl News: “The House Democratic Caucus is undergoing a dramatic shift with fascinating implications for any future Democratic majority.”

“The Israel debate that dominated the week served as a notable preview of how House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ leadership team will approach the hot-button issue if they win back the House this fall.”

“For decades, bipartisan majorities in Congress supported Israel and backed sending aid to the Middle Eastern nation. But on Wednesday, 103 House Democrats voted for an amendment that would cut off foreign military assistance to Israel.”

“The era of unified, unconditional Democratic support for Israel is over.”

CNN: Inside the fight over Israel tearing Democrats on the Hill apart.

Big Law Braces for Second Fight with Trump

July 18, 2026 at 11:00 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Law firms that struck deals with Donald Trump are heading for a second high-stakes conflict with the U.S. president after the government demanded their leaders sit for depositions and hand over internal communications about the deals,” the Financial Times reports.

“In a move that one administration insider said was designed to show a ‘middle finger’ to the legal industry, the Department of Justice has issued subpoenas and deposition demands to the law firms it targeted or threatened with executive orders at the start of Trump’s second term.”

DC Insiders Face Temptation to Bet On Politics

July 18, 2026 at 10:38 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Wall Street Journal: “White House officials are among those grappling with how deeply political betting has worked itself into the fabric of Washington, a town that runs on information traded in the marble halls of Congress, on the sidelines of campaign events and at after-work happy hours on K Street.”

“The exploding popularity of prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi with young staffers who have access to this information has created a pervasive temptation that is growing in advance of November’s elections.”

Doctors Warn Against Military Testosterone Tests

July 18, 2026 at 10:00 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week ordered annual testosterone-deficiency screening for active-duty and reserve service members age 30 and older, which he says will help to maintain military readiness,” Reuters reports.

“But many medical professionals warn it might do nothing of the sort and instead could increase service members’ risk of infertility or other consequences if testosterone is prescribed inappropriately.”

Mace and Norman Still Considering Senate Runs

July 18, 2026 at 9:21 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Reps. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Ralph Norman (R-SC) are both still considering bids for the U.S. Senate despite President Trump endorsing Darline Graham Nordone for a full six-year term,” Axios reports.

“A run by either could mean a messy Aug. 11 special primary to replace the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on the general election ballot.”

Democrats Have Slim Lead in Race for House

July 18, 2026 at 8:53 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Americans prefer Democrats to Republicans in the congressional midterm elections by only a slim margin, but Democratic supporters are far more motivated to vote, according to a Washington Post-Ipsos poll.

“Because of partisan redistricting that favors Republicans this year, analysts estimate that Democrats need to win by three to four percentage points overall to gain a majority in the House. The poll shows Democrats leading Republicans by about that margin, 48 percent to 45 percent.”

“The blue advantage grows to eight points among those ‘absolutely certain to vote,’ with 53 percent of highly motivated voters supporting Democrats and 45 percent supporting Republicans.”

For Your Weekend Listening

July 18, 2026 at 8:00 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

The latest episode of Trial Balloon is live.

Aging politicians, the backlash against AI data centers and the political costs of the war with Iran.

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Why Are Young Conservatives Posting About Nixon?

July 18, 2026 at 7:30 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Wall Street Journal: “More than half-a-century after Watergate, conservative youth are discovering the aesthetic, and adopting the attitude, of the late Richard Nixon.”

“It’s a vibe. Videos that feature archival footage of the famously square 37th president over rap music from artists such as Drake and Biggie Smalls are going viral on Instagram and YouTube. Influencers sport ball caps, crew necks and fanny packs emblazoned with messages such as ‘Pretty Girls for Nixon’ and ‘Nixon Now More Than Ever.’ Hats stamped with ‘Nixonmaxxing’ sold out in a matter of hours earlier this year.”

Trump’s Voting Push Gets Cool GOP Reception

July 18, 2026 at 7:15 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“As President Trump wrapped up a prime-time address in which he rattled off ominous and at times outlandish assertions about U.S. election vulnerabilities, he repeated his demand that Congress pass strict voting restrictions that have been stalled in the Senate,” the New York Times reports.

“That plea, which Mr. Trump implied was the reason behind the Thursday night speech, appeared to have landed with a whimper among Republicans on Capitol Hill and in campaigns around the country. Most had little to say in its aftermath about an issue the president called among the most urgent facing the nation.”

“Democrats immediately seized on Mr. Trump’s address with a frenzy of talking points to accuse him of trying to undermine the upcoming midterm elections. But the speech drew a muted response from members of the president’s party.”

The Guardian: Trump speech lays groundwork for him to tamper with midterm results, critics warn.

Trump Loses Bid to Cancel Grants Retroactively

July 18, 2026 at 6:45 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“A federal judge declared Friday that the Trump administration can’t cancel grants based on new rules or goals established after the fact — in a blow to its efforts to terminate billions of dollars already promised,” Politico reports.

Oil Prices Rise to Highest Level in a Month

July 18, 2026 at 6:25 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Oil prices jumped to their highest level in a month on Friday as renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran have caused shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz to slow to nearly a halt,” the New York Times reports.

“The price of Brent crude, the international benchmark, climbed about 4 percent, to about $88 a barrel, the highest since early June but still below its peak in April, when oil prices soared above $120.”

Israel and Its Backers Try to Save Its Reputation

July 18, 2026 at 5:45 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Israel and its allies are on a mission to rescue its battered reputation in the United States,” Politico reports.

”The Middle Eastern country and organizations that support it are publicly and privately fighting against an unusual barrage of bipartisan U.S. criticism. That wave of anti-Israel anger reached new heights this week as more than 100 House Democrats voted for a failed measure to end aid to Israel, while Vice President JD Vance accused Israel of waging an online offensive against him.”

Carville Says AOC Has No Shot at Democratic Nomination

July 18, 2026 at 3:18 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has no shot at winning the Democratic presidential nomination if she decides to run in 2028, according to veteran political strategist James Carville,” the New York Post reports.

“The 81-year-old pundit argued the ‘Squad’ congresswoman’s politics are too far-left for Democratic presidential primary voters, who have historically backed more moderate candidates.”

Said Carville: “Let me say something very clearly: The Democrats — not even in ’72 — never nominate the most liberal candidate. But that’s the fantasy of the right wing, that the Democrats are going to nominate a socialist, urbanist, whatever.”

CNN: James Carville shares his advice to 2028 Democratic presidential hopefuls on what they should focus their messaging on.

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