Political News For 2026-08-18
Politics moves fast, and finding reliable coverage without constant outrage can be difficult. A Skeptic News brings together a wide range of daily political reporting, analysis, and commentary from across the spectrum — curated with a focus on balance, substance, and moderation. Whether you're center-left, center-right, or simply tired of partisan noise, you'll find informed perspectives worth reading every day. Today's edition includes 85 articles from 18 sites. We chose these from 1467 articles found on 39 sites.
Today's featured sites are:
Politics, The Bulwark, Latest Political News on Fox News, NPR Topics: Politics, The Hill News, Semafor, Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera, Washington Examiner, Axios, MS NOW, The American Conservative, Bloomberg Politics, RealClearPolitics - Homepage, NYT > U.S. > Politics, Reason.com, American Enterprise Institute – AEI, ABC News: Politics, NBC News Politics.
LA teachers patrol for ICE before class as DHS blasts enforcement ‘false narrative’
Los Angeles Unified School District teachers conduct early-morning ICE patrols near schools, photographing license plates and alerting families.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
Questions about Schumer’s future grow as Democratic candidates call for change
Questions are growing about Sen. Chuck Schumer’s (D-N.Y.) future as an increasing number of Democratic candidates say they will not support his bid for another term as Senate Democratic leader. Progressive critics of the Democratic establishment are calling for a leadership shake-up in Washington as...
The Hill News
Aug 17, 2026 - thehill.com
Senegal raises fuel prices to keep subsidy costs in check
The government has spent nearly all of its full-year allocation for fuel subsidies already.
Semafor
Aug 17, 2026 - semafor.com
Trump administration pauses construction in Big Bend National Park following bipartisan backlash
The Trump administration has temporarily halted the controversial construction activity taking place in Big Bend National Park in Texas, after both Republicans and Democrats lambasted the plans to build a border barrier there. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott revealed on Mond...
Washington Examiner
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonexaminer.com
Milwaukee's Latest Election Mess a Bit of History Repeating
Milwaukee has a way of coming up with just enough votes the Democrat machine needs to win swing state Wisconsin. Call it a 'lair for drama.'
RealClearPolitics - Homepage
Aug 17, 2026 - realclearpolitics.com
President Trump Takes Credit for Steep Crime Rate Declines
Violent crime rates, including murder, have dropped precipitously. The trend began before the president’s current term.
NYT > U.S. > Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - nytimes.com
GOP freshman firebrand targets global consulting giant over 'plainly illegal' DEI practices
House GOP Rep. Brandon Gill accuses McKinsey & Company of pushing DEI reports that promoted illegal race and gender hiring, costing the U.S. economy $94 billion in a year.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
Have we reached the end of the Trump era?
Political analysts suggest that Donald Trump's influence within the Republican Party may be declining following a series of unsuccessful primary endorsements and poor polling data throughout 2026.
The Hill News
Aug 17, 2026 - thehill.com
ICE calls out ‘depraved freak’ illegal immigrant deported after heinous crime in Dem-run state
DHS called out a “depraved freak" sex offender and illegal immigrant who the agency said it recently deported after he abused his own daughter in Democrat-run Virginia.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
Russell Fry endorses ex-rival Darline Graham after failing to advance to special GOP US Senate primary runoff
Rep. Russell Fry, who placed third in the South Carolina special GOP U.S. Senate primary, endorsed Sen. Darline Graham ahead of the runoff in which she will face Rep. Ralph Norman.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
Judge Rudofsky Will Be An Excellent Addition To the Eighth Circuit
I appreciate the trend of elevating District Court judges to the Circuit Court.
Reason.com
Aug 17, 2026 - reason.com
Democrats Make South Carolina the First Contest in 2028 Presidential Primary Calendar
The party’s membership finalized the new order for the first six states to winnow the candidate field, pushing back Iowa and New Hampshire.
NYT > U.S. > Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - nytimes.com
Blanche on whether DOJ will be independent: ‘I’m not going to pledge that’
The newly sworn-in attorney general rejected the idea of an independent Justice Department, lent support to Jeanine Pirro and declared the “anti-weaponization” fund dead.
Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Cory Mills’s political future on the line following domestic violence allegations
Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) faces a potentially difficult reelection contest following allegations of domestic violence, stolen valor, and financial impropriety, leaving the two-term Florida lawmaker’s political future anything but guaranteed. Mills will face former news anchor Ryan Elijah, along with tw...
Washington Examiner
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonexaminer.com
Sen. Mark Kelly discusses conditions aboard the USS Lincoln
NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer asks Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona about conditions aboard the USS Lincoln and President Trump's multi-billion dollar plan to restore older tech on aircraft carriers.
NPR Topics: Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - npr.org
US awards Raytheon $22.9B Tomahawk deal as Trump dismisses weapons stockpile concerns
The Department of War awarded Raytheon a $22.9 billion contract to accelerate Tomahawk missile production as Trump dismisses weapons stockpile concerns.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
The Problem With American Health Care Isn’t Just Insurance Costs
Even if you have good coverage, it can be hard to find a doctor. The post The Problem With American Health Care Isn’t Just Insurance Costs appeared first on The American Conservative.
The American Conservative
Aug 17, 2026 - theamericanconservative.com
As U.S.-Iran deadline for broad peace deal expires, Trump threatens to ‘bomb’ Oman
Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding in June, but talks have broken down as the conflict approaches its sixth month. The post As U.S.-Iran deadline for broad peace deal expires, ...
MS NOW
Aug 17, 2026 - ms.now
Navy weighs major warship redesign to match Trump’s preferences
The president wants the new fleet of aircraft carriers to more resemble those from World War II. Such a change could cost billions.
Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Zambia's president pulls ahead in reelection bid
The lead puts Hichilema on course to secure a second term at the helm of Africa’s second-biggest copper producer.
Semafor
Aug 17, 2026 - semafor.com
Republicans suddenly change their minds about the reliability of U.S. crime data
GOP officials are willing to accept the FBI’s crime statistics as legitimate, but only when a Republican is president. The post Republicans suddenly change their minds about the reliability of U.S. cr...
MS NOW
Aug 17, 2026 - ms.now
House Republican suggests Sen Darline Graham is an 'ally' for the 'swamp'
GOP Rep. Warren Davidson of Ohio suggested in a post on X that Sen. Darline Graham, the sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, is an "ally" for the "swamp."
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
Jeffries: ‘I don’t support’ DSA agenda
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Sunday that he does not back the agenda of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), even as democratic socialists and left-leaning candidates racked up primary wins in the last few months. “I don’t support the DSA agenda, as has been articulated...
The Hill News
Aug 16, 2026 - thehill.com
In Florida, Wasserman Schultz sparks a debate over what representation means in diverse districts
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz is running for reelection in a new Florida district after Republicans redrew the congressional map
ABC News: Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - abcnews.com
Monday’s Campaign Round-Up, 8.17.26: Voters in California set to pick Swalwell’s successor
Today’s installment of campaign-related news items from across the country. The post Monday’s Campaign Round-Up, 8.17.26: Voters in California set to pick Swalwell’s successor appeared first on MS NOW...
MS NOW
Aug 17, 2026 - ms.now
Global conflicts and climate change drive up shipping costs
The wars in the Gulf and Ukraine have essentially shut off some of the world’s key passageways for global commodities.
Semafor
Aug 17, 2026 - semafor.com
Want to know what people really think? Get the Pollwatcher newsletter.
Pollster Scott Clement will explore what polls reveal about the big issues shaping people’s lives across culture, technology, the economy and politics.
Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Trump’s latest birthright citizenship order is also unconstitutional
President Trump seems temperamentally incapable of recognizing the scope of his loss in the U.S. Supreme Court on the issue of birthright citizenship. Rather than accept the court’s definitive ruling that “the Constitution guarantees citizenship to children born of parents unlawfully or temporarily...
The Hill News
Aug 17, 2026 - thehill.com
IN PICTURES: Historic Smithsonian museum packed with woke political messaging on race and gender
Exhibits at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History link sports and entertainment to divisive political topics and events, like the "Los Sons" and BLM protests.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
Far-left politicians still using ActBlue as 88-year-old disputes donating nearly $150,000 to fundraising giant
Top progressives including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders still fundraise through ActBlue amid smurfing allegations and a House probe.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
CEO says doing business in state ‘sucks’ as company heads to Texas amid California exodus
Hil Davis moved Digital Brands Group more than 1,300 miles to Round Rock, Texas, citing California's high cost of living and business expenses.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
Doug Jones: Claims that many Democratic nominees are ‘far left, socialist’ is ‘just a boogeyman’
Alabama gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones (D) on Sunday dismissed Republicans equating a slew of left-wing Democrats winning primaries to “communists” taking over the party. During an interview on “The Hill Sunday,” the former Alabama senator said Republicans are “preaching to their own choir” when...
The Hill News
Aug 16, 2026 - thehill.com
Democrats lead Republicans on economy heading into midterms: Poll
A new poll shows Democrats with a 6-point advantage over Republicans on the economy two months away from the midterm elections. The survey, published by the Financial Times and conducted by Focaldata, found that 44 percent of registered voters said that Democrats are better at handling the economy,...
The Hill News
Aug 17, 2026 - thehill.com
How To Teach Trump v. Barbara?
The Barnett/Blackman casebook split up the case into six excerpts that stretch across sixty pages that can be taught in two classes.
Reason.com
Aug 17, 2026 - reason.com
Blanche: Trump administration may seek Supreme Court intervention in state voter rolls fight
Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Trump administration may look to the Supreme Court for help in a fight over state voter rolls. “Absolutely it’s a possibility. Election integrity is something that President Trump ran on. And the American people elected him,” Blanche told NBC News’s Kristen Wel...
The Hill News
Aug 17, 2026 - thehill.com
Simple Reason Gas Prices Could Cost GOP in November
The combination of a midterm election and high gas prices could be difficult for Republicans to overcome - but there's good reason to believe it could actually be worse this year for the GOP.
RealClearPolitics - Homepage
Aug 17, 2026 - realclearpolitics.com
How AOC is rewriting her own "Woke 1" history
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is laughing off "Woke 1." But she's carrying baggage from the 2020 era of cultural progressivism that some Democrats say is an obstacle to a future presidential run.Why it matters: AOC's pivot to the cultural center — which she began to roll out last week in a ...
Axios
Aug 16, 2026 - axios.com
60 days after signing Iran deal, Trump stuck in quagmire as peace talks stall
President Donald Trump’s interim deal with Iran in June set aside two months for negotiations, but the window has now closed and broader talks are at a standstill.
Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Democrats Face a Potential Tea Party Moment
A string of primary wins by progressive candidates has revealed the strength of a high-energy insurgent movement but also its possible limitations.
NYT > U.S. > Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - nytimes.com
Big Bend border wall construction paused by Trump administration
The Trump administration temporarily paused border wall construction at Big Bend National Park in Texas while U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott visits the site, Scott announced Monday.Why it matters: The wall's construction inside the national park has been the subject of ...
Axios
Aug 17, 2026 - axios.com
Trump blames vandals for dead grass on lawn where he held Fourth of July event
Similarly damaged grass was seen at the White House Ellipse and South Lawn after the UFC Freedom 250 events this summer.
Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Netanyahu’s Likud Party holds primaries ahead of Israel’s general elections
On Monday, Israel's governing party will determine its candidate list for the next election.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera
Aug 17, 2026 - aljazeera.com
How Anthropic Became the AI Industry’s Black Sheep
The company has refused to embrace openness and competition. The post How Anthropic Became the AI Industry’s Black Sheep appeared first on The American Conservative.
The American Conservative
Aug 17, 2026 - theamericanconservative.com
NYC drivers shell out $9 congestion toll. City admits it failed to improve air quality
New York City's own Health Department report found no statistically significant air quality improvement after a year of the $9 congestion toll.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
DOJ's Dhillon on Election Security, Working With Trump
Assistant US Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon says the Department of Justice is part of the executive branch and reports to the president. She says it's "ludicrous" to think the DOJ should be independent. She also says the DOJ will be deploying 1,000 monitors to make sure the midter...
Bloomberg Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - bloomberg.com
The Rise of Florida's 'Microschools'
Florida will pay $8,000 to cover tuition for any child who opts out of public school. The program is transforming k-12 education—and creating budget problems.
Reason.com
Aug 17, 2026 - reason.com
Bloodright Citizenship (Citizenship by Descent): Who Decides?
An excerpt from Friday's concurrence in Guerra Quezada v. U.S., by Fifth Circuit Judge James Ho: The Constitution vests Congress—not… The post Bloodright Citizenship (Citizenship by Descent): Who Decides? appeared first on Reason.com.
Reason.com
Aug 17, 2026 - reason.com
Blanche disclaiming independence from Trump isn’t the issue here
There’s a difference between political theory and sycophancy. The post Blanche disclaiming independence from Trump isn’t the issue here appeared first on MS NOW.
MS NOW
Aug 17, 2026 - ms.now
Lawsuit Argues That School Choice Is a First Amendment Issue
Nebraska plaintiffs say the state can’t mandate education and also control what kids are taught.
Reason.com
Aug 17, 2026 - reason.com
Send Steve Kornacki your questions about this week’s Florida primaries and more
ill start breaking down all the results at the big board.
NBC News Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - nbcnews.com
House Democrat investigated over alleged 'inappropriate sexual contact' with staffer
The House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into Rep. Jimmy Gomez over allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
Supreme Court asked to hear case on Texas law requiring Ten Commandments in schools
The case could set up a landmark clash over the separation of church and state.
Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
US military bases are ‘ill-equipped’ to stop drone swarms, top commander reveals after Rubio's UAP warning
Lt. Gen. Joseph Jarrard warns U.S. military bases lack the sensors and counter-drone systems needed to detect and defeat drone swarm attacks.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
Ilhan Omar staffer shredded for downplaying healthcare CEO’s killing after Luigi Mangione guilty plea
Omar's operations director defended Luigi Mangione on X after his guilty plea, saying the Epstein files subjects roaming free are the real villains.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
Older Democrats walloped by midterms anti-establishment revolt
House Democrats who have comfortably held their seats for decades are suddenly finding the ground shifting beneath their feet as primary voters revolt against the party's old guard.Why it matters: The anti-establishment revolution that has swept Democratic primaries this year is poised to drasticall...
Axios
Aug 17, 2026 - axios.com
Modi’s Party Unveils New Leadership Ahead of Key State Polls
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party named a new slate of national party leaders as it gears up for crucial state elections, including in the political bellwether of Uttar Pradesh.
Bloomberg Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - bloomberg.com
Zambia President Cements Vote Lead as Shooting Amps Tension
Zambia’s president extended a commanding lead in the nation’s election, though a shootout at the home of the main opposition leader raised tensions in Africa’s second-largest copper producer.
Bloomberg Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - bloomberg.com
Todd Blanche’s bizarre and hypocritical interview makes him uniquely unqualified to be AG
In today’s edition of The Tea: Joe on Blanche’s “Meet the Press” remarks, new polling about Democrats rating socialism more favorably than capitalism, and more. The post Todd Blanche’s bizarre and hyp...
MS NOW
Aug 17, 2026 - ms.now
Cassidy on Trump’s vaccine overhaul: ‘Crazy, stupid thing’
Sen. Bill Cassidy blasted President Donald Trump's recent executive order that calls for unbundling the childhood MMR vaccine into three individual shots.
Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Fetterman warns of socialism’s rise in the Democratic Party: ‘This is lunacy’
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who has bucked his party in recent years, warned against socialism’s rise in the Democratic Party in the wake of democratic socialists and insurgent progressives winning primaries. On social media, Fetterman responded to a report on a poll from CBS News in which 58 perce...
The Hill News
Aug 16, 2026 - thehill.com
New York Republican: DSA candidates will make up ‘commie caucus’ if elected to Congress
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) on Sunday said that Democratic candidates aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) will make up the “commie caucus” if the party reclaims Congress after the fall midterm elections. During her appearance on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” Malliotak...
The Hill News
Aug 16, 2026 - thehill.com
Bessent’s Quixotic Attempt to Strengthen the Yen
Churchill said that you can always count on the Americans to do the right thing after they have exhausted all the other possibilities. We must hope that the same is true of Mr. Bessent. Now that unsupported US-Japanese foreign exchange intervention has failed, maybe he will consider getting the Japa...
American Enterprise Institute – AEI
Aug 17, 2026 - aei.org
DOJ opens new pathway to restore federal gun rights for certain barred individuals
Attorney General Todd Blanche launched a new process for Americans barred from possessing firearms to apply for restoration of their federal gun rights.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
Why prescription drug prices are plunging
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics; Chart: Courtenay Brown/AxiosAmerica is experiencing its biggest prescription drug price deflation in generations. Why it matters: By one important measure, there is a striking reversal underway for one of health care's most stubbornly expensive necessities amid a ma...
Axios
Aug 17, 2026 - axios.com
The Costs of British Immigration Keep Rising
Mass migration continues to sap the UK’s social and economic capital. The post The Costs of British Immigration Keep Rising appeared first on The American Conservative.
The American Conservative
Aug 17, 2026 - theamericanconservative.com
Trump reduces military exercises with South Korea, citing good ties with Kim Jong Un
The president cited the cost of the drills and said he did not want to send a signal that is "totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea. He also criticized South Korea for not helping him on Iran.
Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
So what is attracting voters to DSA’s ‘Sexy Socialist Summer’?
Democratic Socialists of America-endorsed or aligned candidates have won a number of Democratic primaries up and down the ballot this cycle.
Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Russia maintains election ban on opposition Yabloko, jails deputy head
Supreme Court ruling supports Kremlin's clampdown on the political party ahead of September's parliamentary vote.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera
Aug 17, 2026 - aljazeera.com
Trump says White House needs ‘military complex’ as courts block his ballroom
When Trump first unveiled his plans for the new East Wing addition, he said it was needed to host VIP guests. More recently, he is calling it a “desperately needed National Security structure.”
Politics
Aug 16, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
House Ethics Committee confirms investigation into Democrat Jimmy Gomez
The House Ethics Committee officially announced an investigation into Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) Monday for sexual misconduct allegations. The House Ethics Committee told CNN earlier this year they had begun the early stages of an investigation after an April New York Post story alleged the congressman...
Washington Examiner
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonexaminer.com
DHS defends investigating agency critics and giving them warning notices
Federal officials acknowledged that ICE special agents tracked a New York man to his house, the airport and a hotel to question him about a critical email he sent to the former head of ICE in January.
NPR Topics: Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - npr.org
Trump meets with teen lifeguard who saved child from pounding surf
First-year lifeguard Ryder Williams, 16, said in the Oval Office that he hopes his actions inspire others to "look out for everybody around you."
Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Under new Florida maps, a White Democrat aims to win a heavily Black district
Debbie Wasserman Schultz is competing in a racially thorny primary in which everyone seems to think experience is important — but they don’t agree on what kind.
Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Supreme Court rebuffs Trump’s bid to overturn $5 million verdict in Carroll case
The president was found liable of sexually assaulting and defaming E. Jean Carroll in the high-profile civil case.
Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Kushner urges Netanyahu to test Hamas disarmament in Gaza
President Trump adviser Jared Kushner told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday that the U.S. wants Israel to take "small steps" in Gaza to test whether Hamas' commitment to start disarming is genuine, a U.S. official said.Why it matters: The four-hour meeting took place amid deep ske...
Axios
Aug 17, 2026 - axios.com
Hakeem Jeffries says he wants to see ‘dramatic reform’ of Supreme Court
Hakeem Jeffries supports aggressive changes to the Supreme Court.
Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - washingtonpost.com
Advocates worry new bans on student IDs will trip up younger voters
New bans on using student IDs for voting in Indiana and New Hampshire have sparked lawsuits after creating the latest hurdles to the ballot box for the U.S. voting-age group least likely to vote.
NPR Topics: Politics
Aug 17, 2026 - npr.org
Can Democrats afford to take on Big Tech? Or to leave it alone?
Some in Washington make the case for laying off the hyperscalers.
Semafor
Aug 17, 2026 - semafor.com
Buttigieg endorses Poindexter in House race against Miller
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is endorsing Brook Park City Council member and ironworker Brian Poindexter as he challenges the controversy-ridden Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) in the upcoming midterm election. “He’s an example of somebody who walks the walk. He knows what working famili...
The Hill News
Aug 17, 2026 - thehill.com
Mike Johnson taunts Hakeem Jeffries for losing Dems' civil war 'in his own backyard'
Speaker Mike Johnson says Democrats are in an "open civil war" after DSA-linked candidates backed by Zohran Mamdani toppled Jeffries' allies.
Latest Political News on Fox News
Aug 17, 2026 - foxnews.com
It’s not just catapults: Navy eyes ship redesigns to match Trump’s aesthetic preferences
There’s apparently no one in the chain of command who can take the Republican aside and say, “Mr. President, you have no idea what you’re talking about.” The post It’s not just catapults: Navy eyes sh...