Axios

Rep. Tom Garrett of Virginia announced Monday that he is an alcoholic and won't run for re-election, just days after a Politico report on his treatment of staff. In a statement, the Virginia Republican denied the staff treatment allegations.

Why it matters: Garrett's exit from the race moves his district from a "Likely R to Leans R," tweeted election analyst Kyle Konkik.

Last month a top Health and Human Services Department official testified that almost 1,500 migrant children are unaccounted for after being placed with sponsors by the department.

Why it matters: This comes as the administration is heightening crack down on migrants crossing the border, including the separation of families. Reports about the unaccounted minors have also raised concerns that they could be in the hands of human traffickers or being used as laborers by people who posed as relatives.

Trump is getting back on the campaign trail, hitting rallies in the states where he's still fairly popular, and raising money for select Republican candidates heading into November's midterm elections. He's been doing this sporadically since inauguration, but the pace is quickening.

What's happening: This week, Trump hits two states for campaign-style events: He flies to Nashville on Tuesday for a political rally and a fundraiser for Marsha Blackburn, who's running for the Senate in Tennessee. On Thursday, Trump holds fundraisers in Dallas and Houston.

Republican Rep. Mark Meadows, head of the House Freedom Caucus, said on CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday morning that there is "real bipartisan support" to change the "horrible law" of separating families at the border who arrive illegally.

Yes, but: It isn't a law. Instead, it's a policy that the Trump administration started this month, despite Trump tweeting on Saturday that Democrats are responsible.

Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ.), who’s been a staunch critic of President Donald Trump, wouldn't rule out a potential bid for the White House in 2020 during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, adding that he hopes a Republican will decide to challenge Trump.

The backdrop: As Axios' Jonathan Swan and Mike Allen reported earlier this month, the Trump campaign already rollout 2020 plans to secure a second term in the White House — and has been holding campaign-style rallies in key states since taking office, with a focus on the economic boom and border security.

At least 64 former Obama administration staffers are running for federal, state, or local office this year, NBC News reports.

The big picture: President Trump has set out to reverse much of what his predecessor did during his time in office — the Iran deal, the Paris climate accord, and the Affordable Care Act — which has spurred the groundswell of Obama alums. Ammar Campa-Najjar, a former White House staffer now running for a California House seat, told NBC: "A lot of us Obama babies were inspired by the president's call to action when he retired."

The biggest trend in midterm Democratic politics is women kicking ass, a sign of energy and momentum for women presidential candidates in 2020.

Why it matters: Women are proving to be the most powerful political force in the country right now. Democrats are already crushing it with women, advancing them to congressional general elections all across the country.