A livid former President Trump attended the first day of his civil fraud trial Monday in New York, where he used every free moment as a chance to excoriate the judge who will determine the fate of his business empire.
Why it matters: Trump's palpable anger on social media and at the courthouse offered a sampling of how his combative rhetoric on the campaign trail could play out — and potentially backfire — in his legal defense.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) introduced a motion on Monday to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) from his leadership position after the House passed a stopgap measure aimed at avoiding a government shutdown this weekend.
Why it matters: No speaker has ever been removed by a motion to vacate, which can be triggered by a single member but requires a majority of the House to succeed.
The turmoil surrounding Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) for pulling a House office building alarm raged on Monday as his staff tried to rally fellow Democrats around a defense.
Why it matters: The Capitol Police is continuing to investigate Bowman and a Republican colleague introduced a resolution to expel him from Congress.
Freelance journalist Josh Kruger, 39, was fatally shot in his home in Philadelphia on Monday morning, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
The big picture: Kruger reported on topics including local politics, the LGBTQ community and people living in poverty. On his personal website, Kruger said his experience living with HIV and his past struggles with homelessness and addiction helped inform his coverage of those topics.
Former President Trump appeared Monday at a Manhattan courthouse for the start of the civil fraud trial against him and his business brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Why it matters: Trump was not required to attend the trial, but he used the proceeding to repeatedly attack James, and criticize his other legal troubles as he vies for a second presidential term.
Conservative firebrand Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) fanned the flames on Monday of his feud with Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) amid speculation over when Gaetz will pull the trigger on the motion to vacate.
Why it matters: After alerting the media that he would be delivering a floor speech, Gaetz indicated that the motion would be filed later this week while accusing McCarthy of striking a "secret side deal on Ukraine" with Democrats in exchange for their votes to pass a stopgap spending bill.
Boston University professor and author Ibram X. Kendi has kicked off an ESPN+ series that focuses on racism in the sports world.
Why it matters: Kendi, whose bestselling books on racism and its history in America have been banned by some schools after complaints by conservatives, is jumping into streaming with the sports project and an upcoming Netflix documentary.
Former President Trump is entrenched in a civil fraud trial over allegations of falsified business records that could damage his ability to conduct business in New York.
Why it matters: The trialis one of several the GOP presidential frontrunner is expected to face before the 2024 election, and could lead Trump to lose control over some of his flagship real estate properties.
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal by ex-Trump lawyer John Eastman in a case stemming from the House's probe into the Capitol riot.
Why it matters: Justice Clarence Thomas recused himself from the court's decision — the first time he's done so in a Jan. 6-related case before the court, per NBC News.
Why it matters: Butler will be the first Black lesbian to openly serve in the Senate. She is also the second Black woman to represent California in the Senate, after Vice President Harris, California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said in the announcement.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has spent a cumulative six hours talking to the Capitol press corps since the House returned on Sept. 12, according to a tally by his office.
Why it matters: McCarthy will keep an aggressive but not angry posture this week as he fights off an imminent threat to his gavel, sources close to him say.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is pumping another $1 million into Virginia's high-stakes legislative elections this fall, doubling its commitment for the year, Axios has learned.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has selected Laphonza Butler, the president of EMILY's List, to fill the U.S. Senate seat held by late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, his office confirmed to Axios.
Why it matters: The swift appointment, first reported by Politico, means Senate Democrats will be back to full strength headed into battles over spending and judicial appointments this week.
