Democrats are preparing themselves for what they expect to be a wave of insurgents who'll try to sweep out Congress' older and more establishment-oriented ranks.
Why it matters: It's already starting, with a handful of younger challengers vying to harness grassroots fury to unseat some of House Democrats' oldest members.
President Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday sanctioning another law firm, Jenner & Block, with stripped security clearances and contract reviews.
Why it matters: Trump is again retaliating against law firms he views as political opponents, this time targeting a lawyer who was involved with ex-special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Trump's first election.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to be "fired immediately" after a journalist was accidentally added to a highly sensitive signal chat on military strikes in Yemen.
Why it matters: Jeffries is now the highest-ranking member of Congress who has called for an administration official to be ousted in response to the blunder.
National security adviser Michael Waltz's fist, American flag and fire emoji combo (👊🇺🇸🔥) response to strikes on Yemen is taking on a social media life of its own after an The Atlantic editor was accidentally added to a Signal chat discussing the attacks.
The big picture: The emojis are being co-opted by both pro- and anti-Trump sides to convey a sense of agreement or positive, supportive reaction to a statement or action.
Some members of Congress are changing how they use the Signal after a journalist was accidentally added to a highly sensitive Trump administration national security discussion on the encrypted messaging app.
Why it matters: Signal is seen by many lawmakers, reporters and staffers on Capitol Hill as an indispensable tool for sensitive discussions. Some members even use it exclusively to communicate.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Min.) said at an Axios event Tuesday that Republican leaders on Capitol Hill must fully investigate the alleged leak of a highly sensitive Signal chat detailing Trump administration plans for airstrikes in Yemen.
Why it matters: Democrats are ramping up the public pressure on the GOP to hold their own party accountable after the bombshell story from The Atlantic.
Two North Carolina Republican state senators unveiled legislation Tuesday that echoes the state's 2016 "bathroom bill," also known as HB2, which banned transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity.
Why it matters: It's been nine years — almost to the day — since state legislative Republicans filed the infamous HB2, sparking nationwide backlash that cost the state billions, aided Democrats in winning the governor's mansion and forced Republicans to backtrack.
Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday he's joining his wife, Usha Vance, on a trip to Greenland later this week, though the White House changed the course of the visit.
The Atlantic storydetailing how Trump aides inadvertently invited the magazine's editor to a Signal chat where highly sensitive information about a military strike was shared has easily become the top news story of the year globally, according to new data.
A spokesperson for The Atlantic said it was "one of the top subscription driving stories" for the magazine of all time.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) is staring down a Republican censure effort for referring to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) — who is disabled and uses a wheelchair — as "Governor Hot Wheels."
Why it matters: Once a rarely used tool, censure is becoming the immediate go-to method for members of the House's majority party to punish members of the minority.
NASA has removed a pledge to land the first woman and first person of color on the moon from its website in an effort to meet President Trump's demands.
Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said he's working to expand Republicans' Senate majority by two seats in the 2026 midterms.
Why it matters: The comments from Scott — who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee — signal that the GOP is taking an offensive posture heading into next year's midterms, despite historical trends that would position them to suffer losses.
The Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE)'s incursion into the Social Security Administration is threatening to slow or even unravel the system that provided income to about 73 million Americans last month.
Why it matters: The Elon Musk-led effort to eradicate purported fraud at the agency long known as the "third rail" of American politics could jeopardize the SSA's ability to execute its core mission — and the financial stability of elderly and disabled people across the country.
Fox News "Special Report" host Bret Baier will air an exclusive interview with Elon Musk and DOGE members during his show's 6pm ET time slot on Thursday, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: It will be the first time that members of DOGE have been interviewed as a group since they launched their crusade to cut trillions of dollars in federal government spending. Details of the team's work and structure have remained mysterious.
President Trump signed an executive order last week that compels federal agencies to tear down internal barriers to sharing government data, with no new cybersecurity requirements to prevent misuse or breaches.
Why it matters: The order gives DOGE and other agencies sweeping access to sensitive personal data, and experts warn it attempts to sidestep longstanding privacy laws that judges have used to block similar efforts.
Tesla is joining "robotics symposium" at the Capitol complex to showcase its new humanoid robot to lawmakers and staff, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The event comes at a politically charged moment for the electric car company, whose founder Elon Musk has become one of the most controversial members of President Trump's inner circle.
Multiple top Trump officials insisted Tuesday — including under oath — that "no classified material" or "war plans" were shared in a Signal group chat that mistakenly included The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg.
Why it matters: The White House has confirmed the authenticity of the explosive text messages published by The Atlantic, but disputed Goldberg's claim that he withheld "operational details" about U.S. strikes in Yemen out of concern that they were classified.
Senate Democrats confronted top Trump officials about the alleged leak of a highly sensitive Signal chat detailing plans for airstrikes in Yemen, with the ranking member of the Intelligence panel blasting it as "mind-boggling."
Why it matters: Democrats are arguing that the Signal fiasco reveals widespread mismanagement of classified information under the Trump administration — a message they sought to drive home during an Intelligence Committee hearing Tuesday.
Americans felt worse about the economy in March, according to a long-running survey released on Tuesday that also showed optimism about the outlook at a 12-year low — the latest sign of tariff threats rattling consumers.
Why it matters: President Trump now faces the same economic discontent that plagued the Biden administration.
The more afraid immigrants are that the IRS will report them to immigration authorities, the less they may pay in taxes, experts warn.
Why it matters: Mere reports that the IRS might start sharing information, like this recent one from the Washington Post, are likely to significantly reduce tax collections, Carl Davis, research director of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) tells Axios.
More than 300 wealthy individuals, including heiress Abigail Disney, are asking lawmakers to reject GOP plans for tax breaks for the rich.
Why it matters: "No more tax cuts for the wealthy. Not in our name," they wrote in a letter sent Monday to theDemocratic minority leaders from New York, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, and first reported Tuesday.
Trump administration true believers are closing ranks to try to protect top national security officials from being pushed out over Monday's Signal scandal, insiders tell Axios.
Why it matters: Democrats and critics of President Trump want him to fire National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. That's a major reason he could survive. So far, insiders are defiant.
Job applications from federal workers inside DOGE-targeted agencies have surged this year, according to data out Tuesday morning from Indeed, the jobs site.
Why it matters: This is a highly educated bunch, spread around the country — and they're entering the job market at a time when hiring for those with advanced degrees has stalled out.
The Trump administration's push to cast pro-Palestinian protesters as Hamas supporters — and then use anti-terror and immigration laws to quiet campus demonstrations — was forecast in a little-known plan last year from the creators of Project 2025.
Why it matters: That plan — dubbed "Project Esther" and based on months of chatter among some GOP leaders — was reflected in the White House's moves to arrest Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil and pull universities' funding over antisemitism allegations.
A portrait of President Trump at the Colorado State Capitol will be removed Monday — just one day after he publicly criticized the work.
The big picture: ColoradoHouse Democrats issued a statement Monday saying the painting, on display since 2019, will come down at the request of Republican leaders.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin sent President Trump a "personal gift" during a meeting with administration special envoy Steve Witkoff last week, the Kremlin said Monday after it emerged he gave him a portrait.
The big picture: While Trump's criticism of one portrait of himself at the Colorado State Capitol prompted its removal on Monday, Witkoff described the gifted portrait — one by a "leading Russian artist" — as "beautiful" during an interview with Tucker Carlson that was broadcast over the weekend.
Last week, we covered the physical and mental health perks of cleaning and decluttering your bedroom, office or home this spring.
Readers across the country sent us their best tips, from where to start to what tunes to play when you're working.
Why it matters, via reader Clare Michel Smith of Princeton, N.J.: "Last spring, I turned 70, and I vowed that, before my next birthday, I wanted my whole house decluttered. ... I accomplished my goal and so, this spring, I feel lighter, accomplished, at peace and loving my house! And I don't have that nagging feeling when I leave the house that I should be home working on my house."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth denied an explosive report Monday that he accidentally texted highly sensitive "war plans" to a journalist as part of a Signal group chat with more than a dozen top Trump officials.
Why it matters: The White House National Security Council confirmed Monday that the group text, mistakenly revealed to The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, "appears to be authentic."
The Social Security Administration is rushing cuts to phone services at the White House's request, the agency's acting commissioner told Social Security advocates in a meeting on Monday, two sources who attended tell Axios.
Why it matters: These changes will strain the already struggling Social Security system and could even deprive some people of benefits entirely, according to current and former employees and advocates for retirees.
