President Biden isn't inclined to fire any senior national security officials over the chaos in Kabul unless the situation drastically deteriorates or there's significant loss of American life, people familiar with the matter tell Axios.
Why it matters: Dismissing national security advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin or CIA Director William Burns would be tantamount to admitting a mistake, and the president stands by his decision.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is staring down the nine centrist lawmakers demanding an immediate vote on the bipartisan infrastructure package — all but daring them to sink President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.
Driving the news: White House officials and congressional leaders have been pressing the nine throughout the weekend to withdraw their threat to vote against consideration of the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package but the lawmakers aren't budging.
The number of Afghan allies being brought to the United States on Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) had lagged until the collapse of Afghanistan forced the issue for the Biden administration, according to U.S. government data.
Why it matters: While the chaos around Kabul's airport is a general humanitarian disaster for regular Afghans, it's a special concern for those who helped the U.S. government and military during the past 20 years. When Kabul unexpectedly fell, efforts to speed up the 14-step SIV process were too little, too late.
Republican efforts to saddle the Democrats with fallout from the fall of Kabul won't necessarily fly with voters — or instill fears in midterm candidates.
Why it matters: Axios traveled to Virginia’s 7th District last week, where Rep. Abigail Spanberger is running for re-election in a bellwether district. She focused solely on selling President Biden’s stimulus package and the bipartisan infrastructure deal still working its way through Congress.
Footage from Afghanistan is already starting to pop up in Republican political ads, and GOP consultants say it's going to provide TV-ready ammo for attacks heading into the midterms.
Why it matters: The haphazard U.S. withdrawal is the first major policy vulnerability presented by the Biden administration. The opposition expects it to play heavily in 2022 messaging — and even in the 2024 presidential contest.
Schools across the United States are experiencing a shortage of bus drivers, further complicating an academic year already full of challenges, AP reports.
The big picture: About 81% of school districts reported having trouble finding an adequate number of bus drivers, according to a survey conducted by HopSkipDrive, a school ride-service company. The shortage, which has occurred in previous years, has worsened since the pandemic began.
The Pentagon said Sunday it is formally seeking assistance from commercial airlines to help relocate evacuees from Afghanistan.
Driving the news: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has activated the first stage of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), asking 18 commercial aircraft from six airlines to support the U.S. military in its efforts to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies. It's the third time a CRAF has been activated in the program's history.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday that school districts in states with mask mandate bans can still access federal funds for their school reopenings.
Why it matters: A number of states have banned face mask requirements in schools even as the highly contagious Delta variant drives up COVID-19 cases across the country.
Residents in southern New England and on Long Island braced for Tropical Storm Henri on Sunday, as heavy rain from the outer edges of the storm was already causing flash flooding in parts of the region.
The latest: Henri was downgraded to a tropical storm, but it was still expected to wreak havoc in parts of the Northeast, with storm surge and inland flooding among its greatest threats.
The death toll from last weekend's earthquake in Haiti has climbed to more than 2,200, with 344 people still missing, the country's Civil Protection Agency said Sunday.
The big picture: The updated toll comes as the government and relief groups struggle to distribute aid due to the security situation in the country, AP reports. Relief operations are underway but face difficulties due to local gangs, who control access to certain areas and have hijacked some aid trucks.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday that President Biden hasn't ruled sending more troops to the airport in Kabul, but "at the moment, we believe we have sufficient forces on the ground.”
The big picture: The president's senior national security team made the rounds on the Sunday political talk shows to explain — and defend — the Biden administration's handling of the ongoing turbulence in Afghanistan.
Seven Afghan civilians died on Saturday as part of a crush of those desperate to enter the Kabul airport, Britain’s Ministry of Defense said on Sunday.
The big picture: News of the deaths comes as the U.S. Embassy warned Americans on Saturday not to venture to the airport "because of potential security threats."
The White House is downplaying Afghanistan in outside-the-Beltway events during the August congressional recess, hoping voters will pay more attention to President Biden's big spending plans.
Why it matters: Democrats privately fear political blowback, even though the White House insists voters aren't talking about the Kabul calamity.
Outdoor enthusiasts want people of color to embrace activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, camping and birding — and feel safe while enjoying it all.
Why it matters: A national reckoning has drawn attention to the discrimination some people of color face during a run in the mountains or a walk on a trail. The outdoors can be deadly due to bigotry, not just wildlife, lurking in the woods.
Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Singapore on Sunday, as she began her trip to Southeast Asia.
Why it matters: As the crisis in Afghanistan continues to unfold, a Biden administration official said Harris "will make clear" during her visit "that we do have an enduring commitment" to Asia.
The Kentucky Supreme Court on Saturday ordered a lower court to dissolve an injunction that had prevented Republican-backed legislation from limiting the executive authority of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear during the pandemic.
Why it matters: Beshear has imposed emergency health measures including an indoor mask mandate for K-12 schools, child care and pre-kindergartens, as cases surge across the state. The ruling paves the way for the Republican-led legislature to enact legislation curbing his emergency powers.
The Pentagon "issued a warning order" to U.S. commercial airlines that it may compel them to assist in evacuations from Afghanistan, the Defense Department confirmed in an emailed statement Saturday.
Why it matters: President Biden has vowed to use "every means" to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies amid reports of a deteriorating situation at Kabul's airport after the Taliban seized control of the country.
