Axios

Tens of millions of dollars are fueling ads across platforms to push abortion rights measures that are expected to be on the ballot in Arizona, Nevada and Montana this year, according to AdImpact data.

Why it matters: Those same states could determine the next president and control of the Senate. Democrats hope having abortion on the ballot will keep the focus on their most potent issue — and turn out much-needed voters.

Democrats running in some of the toughest congressional races in the country are becoming less shy about going after President Biden to boost their campaigns.

Why it matters: Even as Democrats try for a fresh start with Vice President Harris at the top of the ticket, she is getting swept up into some of the criticism as well.

Brian Nelson, the Treasury Department's under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, is preparing to leave the Biden administration and join Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Nelson would be the first major hire for the Harris campaign since President Biden dropped out of the race nine days ago.

At least six people have died during protests in Venezuela against the regime of President Nicolás Maduro as of Tuesday, according to a preliminary tally by the human rights group Foro Penal.

Why it matters: International observers including the U.S. are watching for how Maduro, who has been in office since 2013, responds to a widespread movement over his victory claim in Sunday's presidential election.

Karen Attiah, a longtime Washington Post columnist, on Tuesday said she was stepping down as co-chair of the annual National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention following internal and external backlash over the announcement of former President Trump as a featured speaker.

Why it matters: The group has a history of inviting presidential candidates to its annual conference, but Trump's participation is causing a rift between members.

The head of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, Paul Dans, has stepped down from his post as the operation also wraps up its "policy drafting," according to an announcement Tuesday.

Why it matters: Former President Trump has increasingly tried to distance himself from Project 2025, as Democrats have seized on the plan to paint the ex-president as a threat to democracy.

Former President Trump called Jewish people who vote for a Democratic president fools in a radio interview Tuesday.

The big picture: Trump, whose comments come as the 2024 election nears against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war, has previously landed in hot water for attacks on Jewish Democrats.

Just 43% of Americans approve of the way the Supreme Court is doing its job — almost a record low, according to a new Gallup survey conducted after the court's most recent term.

The big picture: Public opinion of the court is a reflection of which side is winning the big cases. Approval has recently plunged among Democrats.

Venezuelans poured into the streets yesterday to protest what many said was the fraudulent re-election of President Nicolás Maduro.

Here are some photos

1. Mexico deployed 200 more military members to Sinaloa state this weekend over fears of mounting violence from the Sinaloa Cartel.

• The arrests last week of the two men considered the cartel's current leaders, Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquín "El Güero" Guzmán López (son of El Chapo), has heightened the prospects of a bloody fight for leadership.

2. Guatemalan journalist José Rubén Zamora has been in prison for two years as of yesterday, despite international and local organizations' claims that the charges against him are trumped up.

• Zamora was the publisher of the defunct newspaper elPeriódico, which frequently published stories about the previous government's corruption.
• He was accused of money laundering by the attorney general's office, led by Consuelo Porras, who's been accused of corruption.

Secret Service snipers and former President Trump's security detail didn't know there was a gunman on a nearby roof at the Butler, Pa., rally until shots were fired, Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe told lawmakers Tuesday.

Why it matters: Rowe detailed communications breakdowns and a faulty counter-drone system at the rally as the agency and Congress probe why Trump was allowed to take the stage despite reports from local police that a suspicious individual was spotted 90 minutes before the shooting.

Chaos sparked by Venezuela's disputed presidential election results is likely to worsen the country's crisis and push more people to leave, analysts say.

Why it matters: In the 11 years that President Nicolás Maduro has been in power, Venezuela democratic institutions and the economy have further deteriorated, with food, medicine and goods shortages compelling at least 7.7 million to leave the country.

The House of Representatives is banning staffers from using apps from ByteDance, the Chinese-owned parent company of TikTok, on official congressional devices, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The government is in active litigation making the case that TikTok's ties to China represent a national security threat — an argument that could be undermined if congressional employees have associated apps on their phones.

Vice President Kamala Harris' 2024 campaign said Tuesday that it is spending $50 million on paid media ahead of the Democratic National Convention.

Why it matters: The major ad buy comes as Harris works to capitalize on the momentum she's built after President Biden's exit from the race, and as former President Trump ramps up his ad spending over the next two weeks.

Vice President Kamala Harris' abrupt presidential candidacy means Mayor Todd Gloria suddenly has a yearslong political ally in the expected nominee.

Why it matters: Harris and Gloria have supported each other's electoral pursuits since 2016, and his office argues that connection has already delivered results for San Diego.

The nonprofit group Civic Nation is launching the "Save on Clean Energy" campaign to educate Americans about tax benefits and other savings available under the landmark climate law the Biden administration enacted in 2022.

Why it matters: The partnership includes the Department of Energy, marks a shift in the administration's strategy to publicize the Inflation Reduction Act's benefits.

The battle for power in a potential second Trump White House is in full swing:

• Former President Trump's two veep runners-up, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, are in the running for secretary of state, Trump sources tell us.

Why it matters: We're told Trump is focused on campaigning, and paying little attention to the fight to staff a prospective second administration. But top Republicans are already lobbying Trump advisers hard for specific slots. A clear matrix of likely options — largely consistent across conversations with Trump insiders — is emerging.

As Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign comes off a massive first week, it now has to show it can make the momentum last.

Why it matters: With 98 days until the election, the Harris presidential campaign is now keenly focused on translating the initial bump — and the volunteers and funding that came with it — into a winning get-out-the-vote campaign.

As AI keeps refining its ability to copy the voices and moving images of public figures, deepfake creators are turning to the "it's just a parody" defense.

The big picture: American media's long tradition of political humor is well-protected by the First Amendment — letting citizens inject almost any kind of fiction or fraud into the national dialogue as long as they label it comedy.

Venezuela's outsized role in U.S. politics is poised to grow further after autocrat Nicolás Maduro was declared the winner in a presidential election widely condemned as fraudulent.

Why it matters: Nearly 8 million Venezuelans have fled the crisis-stricken nation over the last decade. Maduro's re-election and the ensuing political unrest could exacerbate the refugee crisis in the final months before the U.S. election.

Venezuela is in turmoil after President Nicolás Maduro on Monday was declared the winner of this weekend's presidential election despite claims from the opposition coalition that Maduro's autocratic government interfered in the results.

Through the lens: Security forces fired tear gas on protesters in the capital Caracas as Venezuelans in several cities protested the government as opposition leaders continue to say the election was rigged. Maduro has long claimed elections are fair and outsiders are trying to interfere.

Caregivers power the U.S. economy, but insufficient investment in the care system forces families — especially women — to bear unsustainable costs.

What you need to know: A recent survey commissioned by Pivotal Ventures and Bipartisan Policy Center Action, and conducted by Morning Consult, reveals the widespread demand for caregiving solutions.

Congressional Republicans are pressing the Biden administration to impose harsh sanctions on Venezuela's government for allegedly "subverting" the results of the country's presidential election on Sunday.

Why it matters: Some Republicans have blasted Biden administration's deal with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to ease sanctions on the country's oil and gas sectors in exchange for holding free and fair elections.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper pulled out of Vice President Kamala Harris' shortlist for a running mate in the 2024 election, announced Monday.

Why it matters: Cooper was viewed as a prime pick-up that could help secure a Democratic victory in North Carolina and, thus, significantly narrow former President Trump's path to winning the White House.

Former President Trump's campaign has spent about $12 million on ads to run in the major swing states until Aug. 12, according to data from tracking firm AdImpact.

Why it matters: It's the Trump campaign's first major ad buy since Vice President Kamala Harris effectively became the Democratic presidential nominee.