Sixteen Republican attorneys general sued the Biden administration on Friday over a program that grants an easier path to citizenship to undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens.
Why it matters: Led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the lawsuit alleges the program, which grants permanent residency, is unconstitutional and "rewards illegal immigration."
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s much-spoiled exit from the presidential race won't pack the same pop as if he'd done it earlier this summer.
Kennedy averaged 15.5% in general election polls on July 1, per Nate Silver's model. Now he's around 4%.
Why it matters: Kennedy'splunging relevancy and bizarre news cycles raises doubts on how many votes he can really move to former President Trump's column.
A major refining industry group has launched a $3 million swing state ad buy claiming that Kamala Harris would seek to end sales of gasoline-powered cars.
Why it matters: The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers' broadcast TV ads — shared exclusively with Axios — are the latest sign that EVs are part of the 2024 elections.
The Department of Justice on Friday filed an antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, a property management software company, for an alleged "unlawful scheme" to reduce competition in the apartment rental market and secure a monopoly for itself.
Why it matters: RealPage uses a trove of data to help some of the country's biggest landlords set apartment rental prices. According to the suit, it's helping them to artificially inflate prices for renters all across the county.
Silicon Valley was burning up the socials this week, after learning that Kamala Harris has tacitly endorsed a tax on unrealized capital gains. Lots of what was shared was inaccurate.
Reality check: This only would impact a small subset of America's wealthiest people, and most tech founders and investors would be spared.
Former President Trump fired off a string of irate commentary Thursday on social media and later on Fox News as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted her nomination as his 2024 opponent.
Why it matters: Trump's disjointed responses reflected the difficulty he and the GOP have had in finding an effective line of attack against Harris.
To find out how Kamala Harris might approach climate issues, check out the latest issue of Foreign Affairs, where Harris adviser Brian Deese offers an aggressive plan to get countries to buy much more U.S.-made technology.
Why it matters: The idea is to position the U.S. and its allies — rather than China — as the partners of choice for developing countries looking to invest in climate resilience.
False rumors and wild speculation about a performance by Beyoncé — or another secret special guest — consumed massive amounts of attention on the Democratic convention's final day.
Why it matters: Vice President Kamala Harris heavily uses her song "Freedom" on the campaign trail. Taylor Swift was also mentioned as a possible guest.
A steady streamof bureaucratic rule changes in Georgia is creating a framework that election deniers could use to delay the certification of the presidential election results come November, advocates say.
Why it matters: Former PresidentTrump and Vice President Kamala Harris know the road to the White House runs through Georgia, and the new rules could help cast doubt and fan flames of suspicion on the democratic process like it's 2020 all over again.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan will visit China next week to meet with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to three people familiar with the matter.
Why it matters: The two officials are expected to lay the groundwork for a potential final meeting between President Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, later this year, to follow up on their California summit last November.
CHICAGO — Tens of thousands of Democrats are heading home, exhilarated by a convention that surpassed their wildest expectations and added rocket fuel to a campaign that arguably didn't need it.
Why it matters: Less than two months ago, the party appeared to be collapsing under the weight of its own candidate. It's not hyperbole to say Kamala Harris and the DNC pulled off a makeover of miraculous proportions.
CHICAGO — She's been vice president for 3½ years, but this week Kamala Harris re-introduced herself to the nation as an agent of hope and change — and cast former President Trump as yesterday's news.
Why it matters: Harris' promise of a "new way forward" — wrapped in "joy" and an optimistic America defined by freedom, equality and opportunity — is meant to contrast with Trump's dark view of what he calls a nation in decline.
Protests were held outside the Democratic National Convention in Chicago into Thursday night after Palestinian Americans were not granted a speaking slot at the DNC, despite pleas from pro-Palestinian delegates.
Why it matters: The Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas war has become a point of contention within the party, prompting some delegates to remain uncommitted to supporting Vice President Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee.
Vice President Kamala Harris electrified the DNC with the biggest speech of her political career as the former prosecutor presented her case against Republican presidential rival Donald Trump.
The big picture: Other highlights on the final day of the DNC included the "Central Park Five," who were wrongfully convicted over the attack and rape of a woman in New York's Central Park in 1989 endorsing Harris onstage. Yusef Salaam, who was last month elected to the N.Y. City Council, recalled how former President Trump called for the death penalty in their case.
The big picture: RFK, his running mate Nicole Shanahan and the 11 electors for his independent presidential campaign filed withdrawal paperwork with the Arizona Secretary of State's Office, a spokesperson confirmed to Axios.
Vice President Kamala Harris made her case against a second former President Trump term on Thursday, forcefully hitting Republicans over their stance on reproductive rights, as she formally accepted the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.
Why it matters: On the biggest stage of her life, Harris invoked a message of unity, while addressing some of the policy areas head-on that have emerged as possible vulnerabilities, including foreign policy and immigration.
Why it matters: Once a loyal Republican foot-soldier, Kinzinger has become the face of anti-Trump Republicans who are supporting Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
The big picture: Organizers dubbed the event as the "J6 Awards Gala," with a flyer that prominently features a photo of Trump and his former lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, saying they're invited guest speakers.
CHICAGO — Pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian Democrats attending the Democratic National Convention agree on at least one thing: Kamala Harris is on their side.
Why it matters: Harris is seen as slightly more pro-Palestinian than President Biden, but whether that means her policies would be markedly different depends entirely on who you ask.
