Eleven days ago, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) pledged he would only launch an impeachment inquiry into President Biden with a vote on the House floor — "not through a declaration by one person."
On Tuesday, McCarthy stood alone at a lectern and declared that three GOP-led committees would begin a formal impeachment inquiry at his sole direction.
On top of the threat of a government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security is at risk of losing authorization powers it uses to help keep Americans safe from drones, weapons of mass destruction and chemical terrorist attacks.
Why it matters: More than 20 years after the agency's founding in the aftermath of the Sept. 11th attack, DHS is struggling with a surge in border migration and worried about Congress not renewing other authorities.
President Biden has decided to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly — not at the White House — after a long internal debate over political optics and foreign policy considerations, according to three U.S. officials.
Why it matters: The expected meeting in New York next week will be the first in-person between Netanyahu and Biden since the prime minister returned to office nearly nine months ago — a highly unusual delay considering the close alliance between the U.S. and Israel.
The Department of Justice indicted five former Memphis police officers who were charged in a state murder case over the fatal beating and death of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols earlier this year.
Why it matters: The DOJ charged the five men — Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith — with multiple federal civil rights, conspiracy and obstruction offenses.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday during an interview with CBS Evening News that the ages of former President Trump and President Biden are "absolutely a legitimate concern" for voters.
Why it matters: Biden's age, 80, has emerged as a central concern for voters in the 2024 race. DeSantis, 44, has sought to present himself as the younger alternative to Trump, who is 77.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) defended himself on Tuesday for changing course on whether an impeachment inquiry requires a full House vote, saying his predecessor Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) changed the precedent.
Why it matters: McCarthy unilaterally launched a probe into President Biden on Tuesday, less than two weeks after Breitbart News quoted him saying it would take a full House vote to kick off.
Synagogues across the U.S. are taking part in security training to protect themselves and their congregants ahead of the Jewish high holidays beginning this week.
Why it matters: Jewish communities across the U.S. are contending with rising antisemitismthat has sharpened fears in recent years of being attacked or harassed.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) — who helped lead the unsuccessful effort to deny Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) speakership bid —said Tuesday that McCarthy is "out of compliance" with the terms of the deal he made with conservatives to become speaker.
Driving the news: The Florida Republican laid out a scenario of starting "every single day in Congress with the prayer, the pledge and the motion to vacate."
A liberal group in Minnesota filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to bar former President Trump from the 2024 ballot, citing the the 14th Amendment's stipulation on engaging in an insurrection.
Why it matters: It's the second such lawsuit filed in less than a month as liberal groups and state election officials are seeking to use the 14th Amendment as a legal basis to block Trump's bid.
As Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) publicly floats a plan to team up with Democrats in an effort to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), some House Democrats say they’re not interested.
Why it matters: A single member can trigger a "motion to vacate" vote, but actually removing the speaker requires a majority of the House and would likely need substantial support from Democrats.
Top GOP donors and their allies privately are pushing Sen. Tim Scott's team for more detail about his bachelor status before deciding how much to support him in the presidential campaign, according to two people familiar with the conversations.
Why it matters: Many of the donors are in the market for a viable alternative to former President Trump — but still aren't sure about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who's running second to Trump in GOP polls. Scott, 57, is among those trying to woo such fundraisers.
Tens of thousands of Mexican family members crossed the southern border in recent months, soaring past previous levels.
Why it matters: President Biden's decisions to end migrant family detention and launch an app for people to schedule legal border crossings have likely contributed to drawing more Mexican families, experts tell Axios.
