Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and her allies are looking ahead to the Minnesota Senate Democratic primary to build on the win they lodged against the cryptocurrency industry this week in Illinois.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) told Axios she is keeping the door open to endorsing challengers to her House Democratic colleagues "if someone crosses some huge line."
Why it matters: Ocasio-Cortez hasn't endorsed a primary challenge to a sitting member in years and even signaled to colleagues during her run for House Oversight Committee ranking member that she may abandon the practice altogether.
House Republicans blanched at the Pentagon's reported $200 billion price tag for Iran, but many are embracing the eye-popping number to help energize a stalled reconciliation process.
Why it matters: GOP leaders have struggled to build consensus around a "reconciliation 2.0" package. But injecting a must-pass defense spending bill into the equation will give Speaker Mike Johnson the urgency he needs to bring it to the floor.
Two senators held a fundraiser today for Graham Platner's Senate campaign — with tickets as high as $5,000 — as part of a D.C. tour this week where he picked up another endorsement and met with roughly 10 House lawmakers, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is backing his opponent, Gov. Janet Mills, but Platner is making inroads in Schumer's D.C. turf, with private fundraisers and meetings.
A bipartisan House Homeland Security Committee briefing with Anthropic's Jack Clark was held behind closed doors on Wednesday, per sources familiar with the meeting, and only briefly touched on the company's fight with the Pentagon.
Why it matters: Anthropic — which is suing the federal government over its designation as a supply chain risk — is engaging with lawmakers on national security and AI, even as much of that discussion is happening out of the public eye.
The Iran war is driving markets down and energy prices up — and the duration and direction of the conflict will partially be determined by what takes place in a few key locations.
Why it matters: Escalating tensions could all shape how and when the war ends. Any attack or strategic move could push the war into a new phase.
The Pentagon is highlighting newnational security concerns about Anthropic's use of foreign workers, including from China, according to a court filing.
Why it matters: The Defense Department is raising red flags about a key element of the AI industry — its reliance on global talent — as it moves to dismiss Anthropic's lawsuit.
Following strikes hitting military targets on Iran's Kharg Island last week, President Trump is escalating threats to take the island in an effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The big picture: Just 15 miles off Iran's coast, Kharg Island handles about 90% of the country's crude oil exports — and a direct hit on the export terminal would shut down most of that flow.
The Trump administration doesn't plan to thwart U.S. oil exports as officials scramble for ways to temper energy price spikes.
Why it matters: Rumors of restrictions have swirled in recent days, and would represent a sea change after years of expanding shipments that have made the U.S. a huge player in global markets.
Former FBI Director James Comey has been subpoenaed in the wide-ranging "grand conspiracy" case against the ex-officials who investigated and prosecuted President Trump, two sources with knowledge of the situation tell Axios.
Why it matters: The investigation has produced more than 130 subpoenas since cranking up last year, the sources say, and targets top officials who worked under former presidents Obama and Biden.
Former counterterrorism official Joe Kent catapulted into headlines this week after he claimed in his resignation letter that Iran posed "no imminent threat" to the U.S.
Why it matters: Despite the Trump administration's immediate attacks on his credibility, Kent has typically aligned himself with conservative values and the MAGA brand, previously earning praise from President Trump.
Reckitt Catalyst entrepreneur-in-residence Serena Williams told founders at Axios House during SXSW that one of the toughest hurdles for early-stage entrepreneurs is learning how to sell themselves.
Why it matters: You could have the best idea, product and strategy, but if you can't communicate it effectively, you're unlikely to attract the talent and funding needed to be successful.
America's financial regulators released a package of proposals on Thursday that would ease regulations for the nation's banks.
Why it matters: This is the biggest swing yet at bank deregulation efforts in the Trump 2.0 era, which administration officials see as key to moving its economic agenda forward.
Why it matters: The deal, which would require lifting the limit on television station ownership, is a litmus test for the Federal Communications Commission's deregulation drive.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin's Cabinet nomination advanced to the Senate floor Thursday despite opposition from Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rand Paul (R-Ky.).
Why it matters: The 8-7 committee vote puts Mullin an important step closer to being confirmed to succeed Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary when Noem steps down at the end of the month.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the Pentagon would ask Congress for more money to wage war in Iran, though he said the reported $200 billion figure "could move."
Why it matters: A request on that scale would likely face stiff opposition from many Democrats and some Republicans, given the unpopularity of the war and the fact that it would be in addition to the Pentagon's existing $1 trillion budget.
If you ask energy historian Daniel Yergin, the Iran war "has been brewing for 47 years."
The big picture: Surging oil and gas prices tied to Middle East tensions will hang over a Houston gathering next week that is one of the global energy industry's biggest annual events.
Federal financial regulators Tuesday officially announced a new treatment of crypto assets, aiming to provide a clearer understanding of the rules for digital assets.
Why it matters: The more industry-friendly rules from the Trump-era Securities and Exchange Commission aren't a surprise, but they're a win for the crypto industry as key market structure legislation remains stalled in the Senate.
Progressives plan to exert more pressure in Democratic congressional primaries to get the left to coalesce behind one viable candidate rather than split the vote and create an opening for moderates, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: This new strategy reflects how progressives are adapting after a bruising Illinois primary night in which they won just one of the four open House races they were targeting.
President Trump's White House renovations are reshaping the historic building and its surroundings in massive ways.
Why it matters: Major changes to the White House are rare and often controversial. They could potentially leave a lasting mark on the property for decades or longer.
The Israeli military strike on Tehran's South Pars gas field facilities means the Iran war will likely extend into May, analysts said Wednesday.
The big picture: Oil prices jumped after Israeli forces' unprecedented strike on the gas field that Axios' Barak Ravid reported was conducted in coordination with and approved by the Trump administration. The global benchmark Brent crude was still hovering above $110 per barrel early Thursday.
President Trump said Wednesday that Israel will not conduct further attacks on Iran's main natural gas facility.
Why it matters:Trump's comments that seem to be an effort to de-escalate the situation came hours after he green-lit the Israeli strike on the facility that marked a significant escalation in the war.
Former counterterrorism official Joe Kent has been under FBI investigation for months on suspicion he leaked classified information, three sources familiar with the case tell Axios.
Why it matters: Kent propelled himself into national headlines Tuesday when he resigned his post and blamed Israel for tricking President Trump into launching the Iran war even though it posed "no imminent threat" to the U.S.
Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee stormed out midway through a briefing from Attorney General Pam Bondi enraged and raising the threat of an impeachment or contempt of Congress effort against her.
Why it matters: Bondi has emerged as Democrats' top target for Democrats after the removal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a status that was further solidified on Wednesday.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin's Cabinet nomination is expected to advance out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Thursday morning — even with Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) firmly opposed.
Why it matters: The hearing was tense, with pointed exchanges, but history — and the math — favor Mullin's succeeding Kristi Noem as Homeland Security secretary.
But little light came through on how to end the DHS shutdown.
Why it matters: After weeks of negotiations — and the firing of a Cabinet official — Democrats remain dug in on demands for statutory changes to ICE and Border Patrol.
