Top Democrats instructed members not to interrupt President Trump's State of the Union speech next Tuesday — so instead they're planning individualized responses to show opposition to his agenda.
Why it matters: Fresh off a slew of reassuring election wins, Democrats are trying to mobilize every faction of their coalition before the midterms — but a range of messages could dilute their impact.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is demanding a $1,700 tariff refund for every family in his state from President Trump after the Supreme Court ruled many of the tariffs illegal.
Why it matters: Pritzker's demand underscores the rivalry between Trump and the governor — who is widely believed to be eyeing a 2028 White House run — but also the enormity of potential refund liabilities.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggested in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson that, under a biblical interpretation, Israel could claim a right to territory spanning much of the Middle East.
Why it matters: The interview between Carlson and Huckabee comes amid a contentious saga between the two over their differing views on Israel.
Roughly $126 billion is now potentially up for grabs after the Supreme Court struck down a swath of President Trump's tariffs on Friday, according to the Trade Partnership Worldwide.
Why it matters: Those tariffs likely made all kinds of stuff more expensive as businesses passed higher costs onto everyday Americans, but the ruling now could lead to a chaotic refund process — and it's unclear who gets to pocket that cash.
The small bloc of Republicans who have publicly broken with President Trump on trade policy aren't the only ones thrilled about the Supreme Court overturning his global tariffs, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Cracks in GOP support for protecting Trump's trade barriers had already grown significant by the time of the ruling, and Republicans tell Axios a "messy" full-scale revolt on the issue was just around the corner.
The Supreme Court on Friday delivered a historic blow to President Trump's sweeping tariff agenda, declaring most of it illegal.
Why it matters: Trump used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact his globe-shaking tariffs last year, but the nation's highest court drew a red line in the sand on when a president can invoke the law.
The Supreme Court struck down President Trump's tariffs but was silent on whether that money must be refunded — leaving the $175 billion question to an obscure trade court.
Why it matters: If you're a business — or even a consumer — hoping for some kind of tariff refund, somehow, from somewhere, prepare to wait years for any decisions to be made.
President Trump said Friday that he is "absolutely ashamed" of the Supreme Court after it struck down his sweeping tariffs agenda.
Why it matters: Trump, who previously called the lawsuit the "most important case ever," was banking on tariffs to boost the U.S. economy, pay down the national debt, and fund domestic policy plans.
Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) has been tapped to give the progressive Working Families Party's response to President Trump's State of the Union this year, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The spot is given to lawmakers seen as rising stars on the left. Past speakers include Reps. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.).
President Trump's decision to release government files related to aliens and UFOs is reigniting one of America's longest-running mysteries.
The big picture: While it's unclear whether any new significant surprises await, the belief that government secrets may prove extraterrestrial life exists has fueled curiosity and speculation for decades.
Philadelphia is preparing to celebrate 250 years of American independence, even as a court fight over a slavery exhibit questions how much of that founding story should remain on display.
Why it matters: The legal skirmish is not about facts; it's about whether to keep them in public view.
Businesses are the big winners from the Supreme Court ruling invalidating President Trump's global tariffs after a bruising year in which the duties bludgeoned bottom lines and prompted price hikes.
Why it matters: The ruling tees up a fight over corporate refunds — a potential windfall for companies that paid extra costs to import goods under the Trump tariff regime, though nothing is guaranteed.
The Supreme Court struck down a suite of President Trump's tariffs on Friday, a historic blow to the administration's economic agenda.
The big picture: In a rare rebuke of Trump's power, the nation's highest court said many of the administration's tariffs were illegal. The 6-3 ruling sets a new boundary for what policies presidents can impose without congressional approval.
Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) will oppose a War Powers Act resolution designed to restrain President Trump on Iran, the two lawmakers tell Axios.
Why it matters: Their opposition to a resolution from Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), expected to reach the House floor next week, will make it harder to pass.
The U.S. economy grew at only a moderate pace in the final months of 2025, as GDP rose at a 1.4% annual rate amid a steep pullback in federal spending.
Why it matters: Growth decelerated at the end of the year in the broadest measure of economic activity, as job creation slowed sharply. But two recent drivers of growth — consumer spending and business investment — remained robust.
Rev. Jesse Jackson's influence in the South wasn't just symbolic — it reshaped how political power is allocated in the Democratic Party, says Emory political scientist Andra Gillespie.
Why it matters: Cities from Cleveland to San Francisco are recalling Jackson's national imprint after his death on Tuesday. He leveraged Southern Black voters to gain bargaining power that changed Democratic primary rules — shifts that still shape presidential contests today.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has upended DHS staffing in her first year, pairing high-level leadership ousters with a growing staff exodus.
Why it matters: Multiplereportsdescribe a culture of fear inside DHS as Noem and her top adviser Corey Lewandowski have fired, reassigned and demoted people throughout the department's 23 sub-agencies.
The Supreme Court may finally decide the fate of President Trump's trade agenda as soon as Friday.
The big picture: Small businesses sued to block Trump's tariffs last spring. Analysts had initially expected a swift ruling from the highest court, but the uncertainty has dragged on for longer than expected.
Overdose deaths are falling, but America's illicit drug supply is re-engineering itself into lethal cocktails: fentanyl plus stimulants, sedatives, and novel synthetics that hide in party powders and pressed pills.
Why it matters: Those polydrug blends — nicknamed "pink cocaine,""rhino tranq,""benzo-dope" and others — are harder to detect, harder to reverse, harder to message against and can even result in the loss of limbs.
President Trump is directing his administration to begin releasing government documents related to aliens and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), he announced Thursday evening.
The big picture: Trump's comments on Truth Social came hours after he accused former President Obama of disclosing classified information for saying aliens are "real" in a podcast last week.
Barring a surprise, Congress and its elected leaders are on track to give President Trump the equivalent of a green light ahead of a potential major war in the Middle East.
Why it matters: War Powers Act resolutions, including one that Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) intends to force next week, are meant to restrain the president.
