Conservative media personalities are raging over a new enemy and onetime Biden endorser whose power has never been more undeniable: Taylor Swift.
Why it matters: The teams behind the two 2024 presidential frontrunners are zeroing in on a pop mega-star with a feverish fan base that actually does heed her calls to go out and vote.
The Democratic Governors Association raised $71.5 million last year — a record for an off year that helped Democrats hold a seat in Kentucky and build momentum into 2024, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The overturning of Roe v. Wade and efforts to change voting laws since 2020 have put a spotlight on the importance of state leaders. Democrats have seized on the issues, and see an opportunity to get even with Republicans who have long dominated at the state-level.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) said Tuesday she is facing investigations by the Justice Department, Federal Election Commission and House Ethics Committee into the alleged misuse of campaign funds for personal security.
Why it matters: In addition to the potential legal ramifications, Bush could face political fallout as moderates try to knock off left-wing lawmakers in Democratic primaries.
Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of the hedge fund Citadel, called Republican White House hopeful Nikki Haley a "tremendous candidate" on Tuesday but cast doubt on whether she can beat former President Trump.
Why it matters: The Republican megadonor's sentiments come as the former UN ambassador continues to trail behind frontrunner Trump and faces growing calls from the GOP to drop out of the race.
A Colorado man was sentenced to two years in prison Tuesday for assaulting law enforcement officers during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Why it matters: Even more than three years later, the Capitol riot continues to be a lightning rod for both Republicans and Democrats as the effort to prosecute participants in the insurrection churns on.
House Democrats are expecting their caucus to stay unified against a Republican vote to impeach Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas that could come as soon as next week.
Why it matters: Republicans have a razor-thin majority and a handful of members are undecided. If Democrats can lock arms in opposition, the GOP will have almost no margin for error.
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), an influential Democrat who was key to President Biden's last campaign, is warning that the U.S. could soon descend into something akin to early Nazi Germany as he urges voters to reject former President Trump this year.
Why it matters: Biden's support among Black and young voters has faltered as Democrats prepare to hold their first primary in South Carolina next month.
Why it matters: Trump has faced 14th Amendment challenges to his eligibility in more than 30 states. The GOP presidential frontrunner has been disqualified from appearing on the ballot in Colorado and Maine, pending an appeal before the Supreme Court.
President Biden told reporters Tuesday that the White House has decided on a response to the deadly drone attack in Jordan that killed three American soldiers and wounded dozens of others.
Why it matters: The administration has stressed it wishes to avoid the risk of a wider regional war in the Middle East.
N. Scott Momaday, the first Native American novelist to win a Pulitzer Prize for his 1968 debut novel, "House Made of Dawn," has died at 89, publisher HarperCollins announced Monday.
The big picture: Momaday published more than a dozen books of poetry and novels across his career and is credited for sparking the modern Indigenous literary movement.
John Bolton — Donald Trump's former national security adviser — is laying out his nightmare scenarios for a second Trump term in a foreword to the paperback edition of his memoir "The Room Where It Happened," out Tuesday.
Why it matters: Bolton writes that "a mountain of facts demonstrates that Trump is unfit to be President."
Attorney General Merrick Garland will transfer his official duties to his deputy as he undergoes back surgery this weekend, the Department of Justice said in a statement.
Why it matters: The announcement came after the Biden administration faced intense criticism for a lack of transparency over Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's recent hospitalization related to prostate cancer.
While some vulnerable, blue-state House Republicans are raising hell over the lack of tax relief for their constituents in the bipartisan tax bill set to be voted on this week, others see it as a key win going into the 2024 election.
Why it matters: The 118th House and its narrow GOP majority have been marked by infighting and minimal legislative productivity aside from "must-pass" measures heading off a debt default or a government shutdown.
A deadly attack on U.S. soldiers in Jordan has Congress clashing fiercely over the degree of American involvement in a growing conflict in the Middle East.
Why it matters: The Biden administration has said a response is coming – and lawmakers are trying to shape what it looks like and whether it draws the U.S. fully into a regional war.
President Biden deliberately avoided the word for nearly three years, using euphemisms like "the other guy" and "my predecessor." Now his speeches are peppered with it: "Trump."
Why it matters: Biden's subtle shift in rhetoric is a clear sign his team is in general election mode — and wants to frame the race for the White House as a choice between Biden and Donald Trump, more than as a referendum on Biden's presidency.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is defending himself from Republicans in a sweeping letter sent hours before the House Homeland Security Committee considers historic articles of impeachment against him.
Why it matters: Mayorkas, who details his long career in law enforcement, would be the first cabinet member to be impeached in nearly 150 years. But Republicans have made him their border bogeyman.
Fireworks erupted during a closed-door House Republican whip meeting on Monday night, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: House Republicans are bitterly divided over the bipartisan tax deal struck by Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.), but they're being side-stepped by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Monday the state will continue installing razor wire at the U.S.-Mexico border, despite the Supreme Court ruling allowing the Biden administration to remove it.
The big picture: The Republican-led state has been pressuring the federal government to help secure the U.S. border with Mexico and as they say they're defending states from a border "invasion" in the face of a record number of migrants arriving.
House Democrats on Monday unveiled their initial list of top candidates in Republican-held or open House seats in 2024 — and the majority have previously served in or run for Congress.
Why it matters: Democrats are wagering their fortunes on national trends in a presidential year they hope will push candidates across the finish line in districts where they fell short last cycle.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis'behavior since suspending his presidential campaign a week ago has the hallmarks of a candidate who has learned from his mistakes — and is eyeing a course correction for a potential round two.
Why it matters: Republicans have privately and publicly marveled at how much more comfortable and effective DeSantis has appeared in his recent communications.
The killing of U.S. troops in Jordan has reignited an "America First" foreign policy debate that — eight years into Donald Trump's takeover of the Republican Party — much of the GOP establishment still refuses to concede.
Why it matters: Republican hawks are urging President Biden to strike inside Iran in response to this weekend's drone attack by Iranian-backed militants. The White House hasn't ruled that out — stressing that the deadly attack "requires a response."
