Axios

A potential U.S. strike on Iran is exposing a quiet but consequential split inside the Senate Democratic caucus.

Why it matters: The Democratic base strongly opposes war with Iran, but some of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) colleagues are more open to military action — provided Congress has a say.

Madhu Gottumukkala, acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, has been reassigned to a role at Department of Homeland Security headquarters, a senior DHS official confirmed.

• Nick Andersen, CISA's top cybersecurity official, will replace Gottumukkala as acting director while Congress reconsiders Sean Plankey's nomination to lead the agency.

Why it matters: It's the latest shake-up at CISA, which helps defend government agencies and U.S. critical infrastructure from cyberattacks, after significant budget cuts and the loss of at least one-third of its staff to buyouts and early retirements over the last year.

President Trump hasn't been shy about deploying the U.S. military during his second term.

Why it matters: Despite promoting himself as a president of peace, he's deployed the U.S. military in multiple American cities and across the globe, striking Iran and others, raiding Venezuela and striking suspected drug boats in the Caribbean.

Former President Bill Clinton in a deposition said he "did nothing wrong" during his acquaintance with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but their connections have been noted for years.

Why it matters: Clinton is among the highest-profile figures named in the Epstein files and would be one of the most prominent witnesses to testify about his connections to the former financier.

Senate Democrats are demanding more information from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick about his connection to the late Jeffrey Epstein.

Why it matters: Scrutiny of Lutnick, one of President Trump's top Cabinet officials, is intensifying after it was revealed that he was in contact with Epstein as recently as 2018.

Trump Media & Technology Group said Friday it is in talks to spin off Truth Social into a new publicly traded company.

Why it matters: Trump's eponymous company began exclusively as a social media venture, but balance sheet growth has come from other efforts.

Republicans want the upcoming surface transportation bill to require EV owners to pay more. Democrats want it to address climate change. And businesses see it as a way to overhaul how federal permits are awarded.

Why it matters: With that many competing interests, there's a higher risk that Congress won't be able to pass a bill quickly — and a lapse could create funding gaps or uncertainties for fixing roads and other projects.

Even with rising costs, power is a small slice of what Big Tech spends on data centers.

Why it matters: This is why deep-pocketed tech companies are voluntarily offering up pledges to pay for their own power. To them, it's just not that much money.

Millions of dollars are pouring into state and federal races specifically around AI, targeting and supporting lawmakers in both parties.

Why it matters: Tech money in elections is nothing new. But AI is now a potent campaign issue, driving big spending from rival camps.

For the first time in 25 years of Gallup polling, more Americans say they sympathize with Palestinians than with Israelis — a striking shift in U.S. public opinion.

Why it matters: The reversal reflects a dramatic shift in attitudes toward Israel — a key U.S. ally — after its war with Hamas triggered a humanitarian crisis and reshaped the Middle East.