Nominations sent to the Senate by the Trump administration have picked up, with 44% of the total nominations so far coming in June, according to data from Partnership for Public Service.
Why it matters: Although the administration is making progress, Trump's nominations have been delayed from the start and there are around 1,200 federal positions total to fill, per the 2016 Plumb Book, which tracks presidentially appointed positions.
Gates leaving federal court last year. Photo: Evelyn Hockstein for the Washington Post via Getty Images
Former Trump campaign aide Rick Gates was sentenced to 45 days in jail — to be served on weekends — on Tuesday in a Washington, D.C. federal court.
Why it matters: His sentencing wraps up one of the final outstanding portions of former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation, which Gates cooperated with extensively.
Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios
The U.S. Space Force has become the sixth and newest branch of the nation's military, after President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act.
Space is the world’s new war-fighting domain."— President Trump's remarks at the launch
Bernie Sanders at a rally this month. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
A new Politico magazine story that imagines Bernie Sanders as president lists potential Cabinet officials if he won — including the climate activist Bill McKibben at EPA and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee as energy secretary.
Why it matters: This is putting the cart way, way, way, before the horse, but it gets at an important (if obvious) thing: personnel will matter a lot in the next administration.