House incumbents are showing surprising strength in contested primaries, two years after a historic bloodbath in which 14 members were ousted in intra-party clashes.
Why it matters: The turnabout is not for lack of trying. Pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian Democrats, the Freedom Caucus, the GOP establishment and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) have all tried to knock off incumbents, with little success.
Former President Trump in a fundraising email on Wednesday wrote, "Haul out the Guillotine!," as he baselessly accused his political opponents of going after him and his supporters.
The latest: He later sent out another email with the false claim that "they" wanted to sentence him to death.
The presidential money race relocated across the pond briefly Wednesday as President Biden and former President Trump each enlisted high-profile British surrogates for dueling fundraisers.
Why it matters: The pair of events — among the first significant efforts to tap U.S. expats for donations this cycle — underscores the extent to which the November election is being watched oversees.
House Republicans' campaign arm is bashing Democrats for voting against holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: It may be Republicans' most tangible deliverable from the vote, given that the Justice Department has already made clear it will not act on the contempt referral.
The House on Wednesday voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over audio of President Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur.
Why it matters: The vote is the culmination of months of digging by House Republicans to try to bring into public view as much material from the special counsel interview as possible.
Microsoft president Brad Smith will tell lawmakers on Capitol Hill Thursday that the company is responsible for "each and every one of the issues" that a government advisory board uncovered while investigating a recent China hack, according to prepared remarks.
Why it matters: Lawmakers, administration officials and regulators have started to lose trust in the tech giant's ability to secure its products after a series of nation-state cyberattacks.
The U.S. expanded sanctions against Russia on Wednesday in an attempt to "degrade" its wartime economy amid the ongoing war with Ukraine, the State Department announced.
Why it matters: The move is intended to pressure Russia and hinder its ability to continue the war effort against Ukraine.
The White House on Wednesday did not rule out a possible presidential commutation for Hunter Biden after he was found guilty on all three charges in his federal gun trial.
Why it matters: President Biden has ruled out a pardon for Hunter Biden, but a commutation could reduce any sentence that the president's son faces while allowing his conviction to stand.
Why it matters: It's part of an effort by Democrats in both chambers of Congress to put Republicans on the spot on reproductive rights as the 2024 election heats up.
Hunter Biden's historic conviction in a federal gun trial Tuesday sets the stage for new political and legal challenges for the Biden family.
Why it matters: The case has made Hunter Biden the first child of a sitting president to be convicted of a crime, and will continue to play out — and weigh on President Biden — as his campaign for a second White House term enters its final months.
When former President Trump auditions Thursday before about 90 top CEOs at the Business Roundtable in Washington, he'll have a friendly face to try to keep him on track: Larry Kudlow, who will interview him at the off-the-record event.
Why it matters: Trump allies hope Kudlow, who was Trump's chief economic adviser in the White House and now touts his former boss on his Fox Business show, can keep the former president focused on the economy.
Virginia was one of 15 Southern states where a network of nearly 5,000 schools gave generations of Black children an education during segregation.
The latest: Now, the newest exhibit from Richmond's Virginia Museum of History and Culture is honoring the largely hidden legacy of the Rosenwald Schools, whose students included poet Maya Angelou and the late Rep. John Lewis.
Washington Post CEO Will Lewis is the talk of the town, but how much of a payoff does the new British regime see in covering hometown D.C.?
What I'm hearing: Sir William and co. are floating an idea called "Local+," a new offering for readers who want to pay extra for premium local content, sources tell me.
The nascent idea includes building a subscription model with premium newsletter(s) and "exclusive experiences" for locals.
His father gets most of the headlines. But Donald Trump Jr. has become a behind-the-scenes power broker in GOP politics — a guy whose endorsements are coveted as much as anyone except the former president's.
Why it matters: Trump Jr., 46 — and friends including Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), 39 — have emerged as the next-generation Republicans who are the most eager, and best positioned, to carry on the elder Trump's MAGA legacy.
Rep. William Timmons prevailed in his primary against State Rep. Adam Morgan, after several conservative hardliners came out against him in his race to retain the Republican nomination for South Carolina's 4th Congressional District, AP projects.
Why it matters: Timmons, who was first elected to the deep-red district in 2018, consistently voted with conservatives, yet faced a primary challenger from the right over his former support of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
A ballot measure that would set a maximum age limit of 81 on U.S. Congress members representing North Dakota was approved by voters in the state on Tuesday, per AP.
Why it matters: The vote that's believed to be the first of its kind comes after age emerged as a top concern for voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election, as 81-year-old President Biden faces off against former President Trump, who turns 78 on Friday.
Army veteran Sam Brown will be the Republican nominee for Senate in Nevada, AP projects.
Why it matters: Nevada will be one of the most competitive states at both the presidential and Senate levels, and it could help decide control over the chamber.
Pope Francis will host some of the world's top comedians at the Vatican on Friday — including Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock and Stephen Colbert, the Vatican announced.
Why it matters: The pope "has acknowledged the power the art of comedy has to contribute to a more empathetic and sympathetic world," the Vatican News notes.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) defeated her Republican primary challenger Catherine Templeton on Tuesday, according to AP.
Why it matters: Mace has emerged as a notable wild card during her two terms in Congress, bewildering many of her GOP colleagues last year by voting to oust former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).
