"Star Wars" went presidential when actor Mark Hamill stopped by the White House the day before commemorating Star Wars Day on Saturday.
Why it matters: The informal annual observance celebrates the "Star Wars" franchise created by filmmaker George Lucas and cherished by fans as a launchpad for the science fiction boom in film.
The Republican Jewish Coalition on Monday endorsed Rep. Carol Miller (R-W.V.) in her race against former House of Delegates member Derrick Evans, citing Evans' comments on Israel and his criminal record.
Why it matters: The group lauded Miller as "a strong ally to the Jewish community," and blasted Evans as a "fringe extremist who believes it's reasonable to conclude that 'Israel had a whole lot to do with January 6' and that we need to investigate whether 'Jews stole the [2020] election.'"
President Biden and former President Trump are in hot pursuit of a big — and possibly determinative — group of voters who loathe both men.
Why it matters: This bloc of "double haters" has ballooned in size thanks to the surge in Biden's unpopularity since 2020, with polls suggesting they now represent 16% to 20% of the electorate.
House Republicans are preparing to pressure colleges to stem violence and destruction at campus protests against the Israel-Hamas war, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told Axios in an interview.
Why it matters: While a resolution condemning antisemitism passed the House with strong bipartisan support, Johnson said he is directing an array of panels to conduct investigations into the matter.
Donald Trump's ritzy fundraiser in Palm Beach, Fla., this weekend will double as an audition for several contenders to be his vice presidential nominee.
Why it matters: The months-long shadow campaign to become Trump's running mate in the race for the White House is moving into the light.
Student journalists covering protests over the Israel-Hamas war at college campuses across the country have been impeded, threatened, arrested and assaulted.
Why it matters: With outside media access limited, their work has illuminated the events reminiscent of college protests against the Vietnam War and divestment demonstrations against South Africa's apartheid system.
Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) on Friday became the first House Democrat to call for Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) to resign over federal conspiracy and bribery charges.
Why it matters: Cuellar is the second sitting member of Congress currently under indictment, along with Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who has faced calls for resignation from over half of his Democratic colleagues.
The Department of Education opened an investigation into Columbia University on Thursday following allegations of anti-Palestinian discrimination.
The big picture: There isa growing list of colleges and K-12 school districts being investigated by the department for alleged "discrimination involving shared ancestry," including incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia.
Hope Hicks, a former top aide in the Trump White House, testified Friday that former President Trumptold her to deny adult film actress Stormy Daniels' allegations that they had a sexual relationship.
Why it matters: During her at times emotional testimony, Hicks described the panic in Trump's 2016 presidential campaign after revelations of an "Access Hollywood" tape, in which Trump is heard boasting about groping women.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and his wife were indicted on conspiracy and bribery charges Friday.
The big picture: Cuellar's South Texas home had been the subject of an FBI raid in 2022 as part of a probe into the country of Azerbaijan and U.S. businessmen.
The third week of former President Trump's New York criminal trial reached a crescendo on Friday when Hope Hicks took the stand, bringing one of Trump's onetime closest aides face to face with her former boss.
Why it matters: Hicks provided vivid details about the panic inside the Trump campaign after the "Access Hollywood" tape was made public weeks before the 2016 presidential election.
A New York police officer fired his gun inside Columbia University's Hamilton Hall on Tuesday night as officers cleared out pro-Palestinian protesters from the building.
Why it matters: The incident is currently being investigated by the Manhattan District Attorney's office, The City reported, which also first reported news of the shooting.
Why it matters: The staunchly pro-Israel House Democratic leader initially declined to weigh in on his Senate counterpart's speech, but told CBS' "60 Minutes" in an interview set to air on Sundaythatit's "ridiculous" to suggest Schumer is "somehow undermining the U.S.-Israel relationship."
Rep. Nancy Pelosi and actress Michelle Yeoh are among the politicians, philanthropists, entertainers, activists and pioneers recognized by the White House's flagship award.
Why it matters: The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the U.S.
The U.S. economy added 175,000 jobs in April, while the unemployment rate ticked up to 3.9% from 3.8%, the Labor Department said on Friday.
Why it matters: Jobs growth slowed from the prior month's hot pace, but the data suggests that the labor market is still chugging along with healthy demand for workers.
Deals between four universities and pro-Palestinian protesters offer a rough roadmap for schools seeking to defuse tensions and shut down encampments before commencement.
Why it matters: About 2,000 people have been arrested in a coast-to-coast wave of protests on scores of campuses. But administrators at Northwestern, Brown, Rutgers and the University of Minnesota found diplomatic alternatives to police force.
By Thursday — when Biden delivered unplanned remarks defending students' right to protest but condemning campus violence — it was clear that strategy had become unsustainable.
Why it matters: The next phase of Biden's dueling foreign policy and domestic crises may prove even more difficult.
The Biden administration is eyeing a new point guard on border issues, with plans to bring in the Department of Homeland Security's Blas Nuñez-Neto, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: A lack of ownership among senior White House officials on the border has hampered President Biden's ability to respond to what has become one of his most vulnerable election issues.
First lady Jill Biden hosted fellow educators at the first-ever "Teachers of the Year" State Dinner at the White House on Thursday evening.
The big picture: The Bidens invited more than 50 educators from across the U.S. to the White House for the dinner that recognized the guests' commitments to students' learning.
There were tense scenes at UCLA and other colleges into Thursday night as police moved onto campuses in efforts to quell pro-Palestinian protests that have swept U.S. campuses.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) defended his conservative record ahead of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-Ga.) expected ouster attempt, calling it an "unhelpful distraction" during an exclusive interview with Axios.
Why it matters: The Louisiana Republican argued that the motion to vacate is counterproductive to their goals, noting the difficulties of the GOP's razor-thin majority.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (left) welcomes President Biden upon his arrival in Charlotte, North Carolina, to pay respects to the four law enforcement officers killed Monday.
House Democrats are cautioning their patience for continually saving House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is not limitless — and, for some, it's already starting to wear thin.
Senate Republicans are laser-focused on four states they see as their key to the majority: Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Why it matters: The Senate map favors Republicans, giving them several opportunities to build a majority in the upper chamber. But every race will be a fight, and GOP leaders are keeping expectations low.
After inheriting an impossible situation in October, Mike Johnson has proved better at this than many expected.
Why it matters: The House speaker has found ways to turn his tiny majority into an escape hatch, repeatedly reminding everyone that he — and only he — stands in the way of chaos that could sink the GOP's chances in November.
