South Carolina Democrats are enlisting former President Biden to try to save the state's place as the first contest in the party's next presidential primary.
The state's party chair has invited the senior Democrats who will determine the 2028 primary calendar to a reception with Biden this Friday in Columbia, S.C., according to an email obtained by Axios.
Why it matters: The order in which states vote in a primary can be key in determining the eventual nominee.
Top Democratic officials who worked on the party's still-secret autopsy of the 2024 election concluded that Kamala Harris lost significant support because of the Biden administration's approach to the war in Gaza, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: The Democratic National Committee's research on what went wrong in 2024 has been under lock and key since party leaders decided last year to hide it from the public — a reflection of how explosively it could resonate within the party and beyond.
It's a perfect storm: As extreme winter weather triggers thousands of flight cancellations, the federal government created more travel questions.
The Department of Homeland Security announced Sunday it would suspend two popular travel programs, including TSA PreCheck, due to the ongoing partial government shutdown. But hours later, it seemingly reversed course, saying PreCheck remained operational.
Why it matters: Air travel has historically been a major pain point during government shutdowns, which trade association Airlines for America President Chris Sununu says makes the public a "political football."
MILAN — From anti-ICE messages written in the snow to blunt criticism of the Trump administration, Olympic athletes in Milan used their fleeting global spotlight to weigh in on some of America's most contentious political topics.
Why it matters: The spotlight rarely lingers on skiers, skaters and skeleton racers. But for a brief moment, the Olympics gave them an outsized platform — and many seized it.
President Trump has a new parlor game he's springing on advisers and confidants: JD Vance or Marco Rubio?
That is, do people favor the vice president or secretary of state to sit atop the GOP ticket to succeed him in 2028? Trump asks casually, but increasingly, several sources tell us.
Why it matters: Trump is focused on his legacy as his last midterm elections approach, and he believes there are no better standard bearers for it than Vance and Rubio.
Some faith leaders say they're being shut out by the White House Faith Office, alleging the administration provides access only to those in political lockstep while ignoring the impact of ICE raids on religious attendance.
Why it matters: The office is taxpayer-funded and ostensibly represents the full breadth of American religious life. Critics argue it has instead become a political arm for conservative Christians.
President Trump vowed this week to release the government's files on aliens and UFOs, the latest instance of declassifying records that have fueled Americans' fascination with conspiracies for decades.
Why it matters: Beliefs about extraterrestrials and suspicion of government secrecy run deep for some, and researchers tell Axios that conspiracy theories often signal entrenched political or social notions.
President Trump said on Saturday that he would hike global tariffs to 15%, one day after the Supreme Court ruled a bulk of import taxes were illegal.
Why it matters: The administration moved swiftly to replace the tariffs scrapped by the nation's highest court. Now Trump is upping the ante by raising the tariffs to the highest limit allowed under a separate trade law.
President Trump signed a proclamation on Friday to impose 10% tariffs on all nations, replacing part of the tariffs overturned by the Supreme Court.
Why it matters: It might be just the beginning of a patchwork of new tariffs imposed by the administration to remake the sweeping levies deemed illegal.
