Axios

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is not ready to step away from the national political stage without a clear successor to his progressive throne, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Sanders' decision to run for a fourth Senate term at the age of 82 makes clear that he doesn't see anyone ready to pick up the mantle as the vanguard of the American left.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) is getting a quiet reprieve from colleagues in both parties after being indicted over the weekend.

Why it matters: It's a marked contrast to the treatment of the two other lawmakers who have been indicted in the 118th Congress – Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.).

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) pitched herself for a top NRA job as early as last fall, two sources told Axios.

Why it matters: Noem offered to step down early as governor for the role, according to a person familiar with her conversation with former NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre.

A new initiative is going through submitted videos from people around the world singing Hatikvah — the national anthem of Israel — that will be played alongside the Israel Philharmonic to promote peace.

The big picture: The effort by the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra comes as Israel is locked in a war in Gaza and as the U.S. remains divided on how the country should respond.

The 2024 Pulitzer Prize winners were announced Monday, with two awards and a special citation going to outlets and journalists for their coverage of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

Why it matters: This year's prizes reaffirmed the risks journalists take to uncover the truth in areas of conflict and distress.

Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan on Monday endorsed President Biden and said that his fellow Republicans should back the Democrat's re-election bid instead of voting for former President Trump.

Why it matters: Duncan was seen as a target for centrist political group No Labels, which announced last month it was dropping plans to run a unity ticket this November.

A New York judge on Monday threatened to jail former President Trump after his latest violation of the gag order in his hush money criminal case.

Why it matters: Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the historic trial, issued the remarkable jail warning and fined Trump $1,000 for his 10th violation of the order, per the court order.

Harvard University interim president Alan Garber threatened student protesters with "involuntary leave" from the school Monday if they don't clear out an encampment.

Why it matters: Crackdowns on pro-Palestinian protesters at universities across the country have led to suspensions, expulsions, arrests and canceled commencements since encampments and sit-ins expanded last month.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), the 82-year-old progressive icon, announced on Monday that he will run for re-election.

Why it matters: Sanders would continue to be the top progressive voice on Capitol Hill as Congress confronts massive policy battles over taxes and navigates social unrest over the Israel-Hamas war.

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone for 30 minutes Monday, discussing hostage deal negotiations and Israel's preparations for a ground invasion of Rafah, U.S. and Israeli officials said.

Why it matters: Biden is seeking to salvage the long-stalled Israel-Hamas hostage deal and avoid a massive Israeli military operation in Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians are taking shelter.

Israel on Monday started to evacuate Palestinian civilians from the eastern parts of Rafah close to the Israel border ahead of a possible ground invasion, the IDF said.

Why it matters: The Biden administration has expressed deep concern about the possibility of an Israeli military invasion in the southern Gaza city where more than one million displaced Palestinians are sheltering.

Former President Trump called indicted Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) a "Respected Democrat Congressman" in a Truth Social post on Sunday and argued that he was singled out because of his border policies.

Why it matters: Trump's rare defense of a vulnerable Democratic lawmaker runs counter to Republicans' desire to pressure Democrats to call for Cuellar's removal.

Columbia University announced Monday it is canceling its two main commencement ceremonies after the school began suspending protesters who refused to leave their encampment in protest of the war in Gaza.

The big picture: Colleges across the country have become flashpoints for student protests over Gaza, with Columbia serving as an epicenter of the unrest.

Ahead of a potential motion to vacate vote this week, Speaker Mike Johnson is tipping his hand for how he or a successor should rebuild the power of the House speakership.

Why it matters: Johnson told donors Sunday night in D.C. that the House GOP should consider rules changes next Congress to ensure a majority of the GOP gets its way.

Tom Kalil is launching an organization to help philanthropists support science, technology and innovation, according to an announcement shared exclusively with Axios.

Why it matters: Many innovators lack the resources to move forward with their moonshot ideas.

The titanic Biden-Trump election likely will be decided by roughly 6% of voters in just six states, top strategists in both parties tell us.

• Each side will spend billions to reach those voters over the next six months.

Why it matters: Roughly 244 million Americans will be eligible to vote. But 99.5% of us won't be deciders: We won't vote. Or we always vote the same way. Or we live in states virtually certain to be red or blue.

House Republicans are looking to President Biden as their premier target to drag down vulnerable Democrats going into the 2024 general election.

Why it matters: Republicans lost their top bogeyman when Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) stepped down as House Democrats' leader, and her successor, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), has not yet proven an effective foil.

Librarians are mounting a fierce state-by-state battle against the high prices they pay to provide patrons with e-books — so far, with little to show for it.

Why it matters: The ongoing dispute threatens library patrons' access to e-books.

The White House denounced former President Trump Sunday over reports that he compared President Biden's administration to the Gestapo, the Nazi-era secret police force in Germany.

The big picture: The New York Times first reported that Trump made the comments after criticizing indictments against him at a private donor event in Florida Saturday, days after a New York judge found him in contempt for violating a gag order in his hush money trial.

Democrats "effectively have been governing as if we were in the majority" in the House due to Republicans' "chaos," Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in an interview broadcast Sunday.

Why it matters: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is expected to face a vote for his ouster in the coming days, driven by a motion from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) — which Democrats have vowed to kill.