Axios

The Justice Department moved late Friday to drop the indictment of an Olympian who'd been charged with damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, saying the problems were actually caused by a contractor.

Why it matters: It's an unusual public contradiction by the DOJ of President Trump, who'd insisted the damage after the $14 million renovation was caused by vandals.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) is at the center of the fight for the House, defending a suburban swing seat that both parties view as critical to winning the majority.

Why it matters: New York's 17th District is one of a handful of House races likely to determine which party controls the chamber next year.

Senate Republicans can't wait to get out of town.

Why it matters: But at least one senator will have to be the sacrificial lamb, presiding over what is called a "pro forma session," while MAGA rages online.

Delaware court fights over M&A are ordinary. Unless the parties are fighting over dozens of dolphins.

Driving the news: Creditors for The Dolphin Company, once one of the world's largest aquatic park operators, have asked a bankruptcy court judge for permission to sell its Mexican assets for $20 million to the company's current management.

• Included would be 87 bottlenose dolphins, plus eight manatees, and six sea lions.

Nearly eight in 10 voters say they're more likely to support a candidate if they champion maternal health reform, with the vast majority backing proposals regardless of party, according to a new national poll.

Why it matters: In a deeply polarized era — particularly around women's health issues — maternal health is a rare area of bipartisan agreement.

A super PAC that has invested millions to unseat Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) is putting another $700,000 behind his GOP primary challenger in the final week of the campaign, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Ogles was already facing one his most perilous reelection battle to date, with Democrats making him one of their top targets in November. But first he has to get the nomination, which is not a done deal.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a high-level video call with China's vice premier to prepare for the September visit of its president, Xi Jinping, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The call sets the stage for President Trump and Xi to sign future trade deals between the U.S. and China. But there are tensions.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination to the full-time role is facing multiple roadblocks.

Why it matters: Blanche's stalled confirmation leaves the Justice Department without a permanent attorney general while exposing rare Republican resistance to one of President Trump's top nominees.

A federal judge on Thursday signaled she's become even more skeptical of the Pentagon's decision to blacklist Anthropic as she heard arguments over the AI company's legal challenge to its designation as a supply-chain risk.

Why it matters: The upcoming decision will mark the next chapter in what's expected to be a lengthy legal battle between the government and an AI company that's simultaneously helping shape the government's AI safety rules.

President Trump said Thursday that he would have "no objection" to temporarily withdrawing acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination until his Republican opponents are out of office next January.

The big picture: Trump's threat, directed at GOP Sens. Thom Tillis (N.C.) and John Cornyn (Texas), puts Blanche's critics on notice as to what the president deemed "the right thing" after their concerns stalled the acting attorney general's nomination.