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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana avoided saying whether he supports Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during an interview. Other Republicans have also expressed worries about the war in Iran and changes in the top Defense Department staff.
Key Facts
Senator John Kennedy was asked if he still supports Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Kennedy did not clearly say if he has confidence in Hegseth.
Other Republican politicians have shown concern about the ongoing situation in Iran.
There have been several changes in senior staff at the Department of Defense.
The interview took place on the TV show "Meet the Press."
The questions were posed by reporter Kristen Welker.
The topic is part of broader Republican discussions on military leadership and foreign conflicts.
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A college class is teaching students about the events of 9/11, 25 years after they happened. The class aims to help students remember and understand the impact of the attacks on that day.
Key Facts
The class focuses on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.
It is designed to educate younger generations who did not experience the events firsthand.
The course includes discussions, historical context, and personal stories.
It aims to preserve the memory of 9/11 for future Americans.
The 25th anniversary marks a significant time to reflect on the attacks and their effects.
Teaching about 9/11 now helps students understand national security and American history.
The class is part of broader efforts to keep the memory of 9/11 alive across the country.
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U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the U.S. has strong influence over Venezuela after the Trump administration made a deal with Venezuela. This deal gave Venezuela control over more than 65 billion barrels of oil, and the U.S. controls how that oil is sold internationally.
Key Facts
The Trump administration reached an oil deal with the Venezuelan government.
Venezuela gained control of more than 65 billion barrels of oil through this deal.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the U.S. has significant leverage over Venezuela because it controls the international oil sales.
The U.S. can influence Venezuela by controlling how its oil is sold outside the country.
This arrangement gives the U.S. a strategic advantage in dealing with Venezuela's oil resources.
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Former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall accused Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of politicizing the U.S. military by removing senior officers and affecting promotions. This has caused concern among military leaders and added to ongoing instability in Pentagon leadership, especially after Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned.
Key Facts
Frank Kendall served as Air Force Secretary under President Biden.
Kendall claims Pete Hegseth has fired about 25 senior military officers and intervened in promotion decisions.
This interference is creating fear among officers, making them reluctant to speak openly.
The military has seen several high-profile departures under Hegseth, including leaders like Charles Q. Brown Jr., Lisa Franchetti, and Randy George.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll resigned amid disagreements with Hegseth over personnel decisions.
Both Republican and Democratic officials have criticized Hegseth’s management style.
Senator Thom Tillis urged President Trump to replace Pentagon leadership to protect military talent.
Representative Don Bacon also criticized Hegseth for firing senior officers without clear cause.
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Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate from Michigan, spoke about the experiences of Muslim Americans and condemned Islamophobia during a speech in Detroit. He criticized U.S. military spending under President Trump and focused on everyday issues like infrastructure and the economy, while also preparing to debate his Republican opponent backed by President Trump.
Key Facts
Abdul El-Sayed is running for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan as a Democrat.
He delivered a speech at the Annual Islamic Society Conference about Muslim American identity and Islamophobia.
El-Sayed faced Islamophobic remarks during his campaign.
He said being Muslim and American can go together and make people stronger.
The speech included criticism of U.S. military actions and spending, especially on conflicts like the one involving Iran.
El-Sayed emphasized domestic concerns such as infrastructure, education, and basic needs over war spending.
He will compete against Republican Mike Rogers, who is supported by President Donald Trump.
Two debates between El-Sayed and Rogers are scheduled for October 8 and October 21 in Michigan.
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Texas lawmaker Gina Hinojosa welcomed the attention on Texas politics following a close Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton. The race has gained more focus because President Donald Trump announced a $10 million spending plan to support Paxton.
Key Facts
Gina Hinojosa is a Democratic candidate running for governor in Texas.
The Texas Senate race is close between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton.
President Donald Trump won Texas by nearly 14 percentage points in the last election.
President Trump’s campaign is investing $10 million to help Ken Paxton in the election.
Hinojosa said she welcomes the increased attention on Texas politics due to this investment.
The investment highlights the importance of Texas in the upcoming elections.
The race reflects ongoing political competition between Democrats and Republicans in Texas.
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Pennsylvania Representative Chris Deluzio said he might challenge Senator John Fetterman in the 2028 Democratic primary. Right now, Deluzio is focused on helping Democrats win more seats in Pennsylvania to support Governor Josh Shapiro.
Key Facts
Chris Deluzio is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.
John Fetterman is the Democratic U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania.
Deluzio has not yet decided if he will run against Fetterman in 2028.
Deluzio is currently working to help Democrats gain more seats in Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation.
The goal is to help Governor Josh Shapiro have a governing majority in the state.
The statement about a potential challenge was made publicly on a Sunday.
This development is part of internal Democratic politics in Pennsylvania.
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FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the commission is considering various actions after President Donald Trump asked the FCC to punish NBC News reporter Kristen Welker. Carr spoke about the role of networks serving the public on Fox News.
Key Facts
FCC Chair Brendan Carr commented on possible actions regarding NBC News reporter Kristen Welker.
President Donald Trump urged the FCC to take disciplinary measures against Welker.
The FCC regulates broadcasting and ensures networks operate in the public interest.
Carr made these remarks during an interview on Fox News’s “The Sunday Briefing.”
The situation involves the interaction between government leaders and media regulation agencies.
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House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain supports GOP Rep. Max Miller’s bid for reelection despite abuse allegations made by his ex-wife. Miller denies the accusations, and GOP leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson, continues to back him as the midterm elections approach.
Key Facts
Lisa McClain supports Max Miller’s reelection because he is the current GOP nominee.
Abuse allegations against Miller include verbal and physical abuse claims from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and their two-year-old daughter.
Miller denies all allegations and says they were fully investigated with no evidence found.
Miller’s ex-wife requested a restraining order to block his contact with her lawyers.
Some Republican lawmakers like Sens. Katie Britt and Jim Banks want Miller to drop out, but GOP leadership stands by him.
Speaker Mike Johnson praised Miller as a great member of Congress.
Miller’s ex-father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno, said Miller should not serve in Congress and needs psychological help.
President Donald Trump expressed concerns to Miller before a critical deadline to withdraw from the race to avoid a special primary election.
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President Trump’s administration asked the US Supreme Court to allow new rules on mail-in voting before the November midterm elections. A federal judge blocked these rules, saying they likely violate the Constitution by interfering with states' control of elections and could prevent people from voting by mail.
Key Facts
The Trump administration wants to impose new restrictions on mail-in ballots and asked the Supreme Court to allow them temporarily.
A federal judge ruled the administration’s order likely unconstitutional and stopped the US Postal Service from enforcing it.
The judge said the order could stop millions of Americans from voting by mail just two months before the election.
The administration argues the rules only create simple requirements like tracking ballots and do not take control away from states.
The Supreme Court gave a Wednesday deadline for responses to the administration’s request.
This is the third time the Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to review the issue.
The court has allowed parts of the plan before but has not decided if it is legal.
Many voters from both parties use mail-in voting, with one in four Democrats and one in five Republicans voting this way in 2024.
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Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she will make sure voters understand the truth about elections ahead of the November midterms. This comes after a federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s new rules for mail-in voting that some feared would stop people from voting.
Key Facts
Jocelyn Benson plans to protect voting rights and follow the law before the November elections.
A federal judge blocked the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing new mail-in ballot rules from President Trump’s administration.
The Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court three times to enforce these mail-in voting rules.
The new rules would have set strict guidelines for mail-in ballots, including their design and tracking.
Some state leaders and voting rights groups say the rules could unfairly limit who can vote.
Michigan found a small number of cases where non-citizens voted in 2024, and six people have been charged with election law violations.
Benson said Michigan’s elections are secure and accessible, and local officials work to count only eligible votes.
The Trump administration has made claims questioning Michigan’s mail-in voting accuracy, though evidence for widespread issues is limited.
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Rep. Jason Crow said that Congress has not been informed about an investigation led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth into leaks of classified military information. The probe includes polygraph tests for some top military officials, and Crow criticized the lack of transparency and recent changes in military leadership under Hegseth.
Key Facts
Rep. Jason Crow said Congress has not received briefings on the leak investigation led by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The investigation looks into how secret details about U.S. weapons stockpiles were leaked to the media.
Some top military officials were given lie detector (polygraph) tests as part of the investigation, but no one failed.
The probe started after media reports showed fast reductions in advanced U.S. munitions during the Iran war.
Defense Secretary Hegseth has removed over 80 high-ranking generals and admirals, about 10% of top military leaders, since the start of President Trump’s current administration.
Promotions for women in the military have fallen to a 25-year low under Hegseth’s leadership.
Crow said Hegseth has created an atmosphere of fear and pushed out journalists and media from the Defense Department.
Crow suggested the Trump administration is hiding information from Congress about the military's current readiness and issues.
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On the September 6, 2026, broadcast of "Face the Nation," Energy Secretary Chris Wright discussed high gasoline and diesel prices caused by global events like the war with Iran and reduced Russian diesel exports. President Donald Trump sent envoys to Ukraine to try to help end the war with Russia, while U.S. politicians prepared for the midterm elections with debates on energy prices and affordability.
Key Facts
Gasoline prices are at their highest ever for a Labor Day weekend in the U.S.
The war with Iran is one major factor behind high fuel prices.
Russia, previously a major diesel exporter, is now importing gasoline due to damage to its refineries.
The Trump administration recently changed regulations to allow U.S. refiners to produce more gasoline and diesel.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright expects fuel prices to decrease as summer demand falls and supply increases.
President Donald Trump sent envoys to Kyiv and Moscow to seek peace efforts in the 5.5-year war between Ukraine and Russia.
The U.S. midterm elections are approaching in less than two months, with Republicans and Democrats debating energy policies and affordability.
Democrat and Republican leaders from various states appeared on the show to discuss political strategies and current issues.
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The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court again to allow new rules that limit how mail ballots are handled before the midterm elections. A federal judge blocked these rules, causing legal conflict just as states begin mailing out ballots.
Key Facts
The Trump administration filed a new appeal to the Supreme Court after a judge stopped new mail ballot restrictions.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani extended an order against enforcing President Trump’s executive order for the election.
States like North Carolina and Alabama have already started or soon will start sending out mail ballots.
The administration says the current block on the rules causes confusion because ballot preparation is voluntary, not required.
This is the third time the administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow these changes.
The Supreme Court has let parts of the plan go forward but hasn’t decided if the rules are legal.
About one-third of U.S. voters use mail ballots, making this issue important for election results.
Democrats and voting rights groups say the new rules violate voters’ rights, while election officials say they can’t quickly change their systems.
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The article says that to make living in Washington more affordable, it is not enough to just lower prices. It stresses the need for higher wages and stronger collective bargaining, which means workers joining together to negotiate better pay and conditions.
Key Facts
Affordability means being able to pay for basic needs like housing, food, and healthcare.
Simply reducing prices does not fully solve affordability problems.
Workers need higher wages to keep up with the cost of living.
Collective bargaining helps workers negotiate better wages and benefits.
An affordability plan should include both lowering prices and raising incomes.
The article focuses on issues facing workers in Washington state.
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Rep. Mike Lawler disagreed with President Donald Trump’s recent comment that made the Iran war seem less serious. Lawler said that any war or military conflict is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly.
Key Facts
Rep. Mike Lawler is a Republican from New York.
President Trump recently described the Iran war in a way that made it seem less important.
Lawler publicly disagreed with President Trump’s statement.
He said war or military escalations are always serious issues.
Lawler made these comments during an interview on CNN.
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US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the US might not reach a nuclear deal with Iran that prevents Iran from having nuclear weapons. He explained that military action could be needed to stop Iran’s missile and nuclear programs, but the US is still open to a diplomatic agreement.
Key Facts
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said there may not be a nuclear agreement with Iran.
The US is considering military actions to destroy Iran’s ability to make missiles and nuclear weapons.
Diplomatic outreach continues, with the US open to a deal.
The US military’s main role in the Gulf is to stop Iran’s energy exports to hurt its economy.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil ships, is not fully safe unless ships have US Navy escort.
The US Navy is currently responsible for protecting ships passing through the strait.
Wright said other countries will need to join the US in securing the strait in the future.
Negotiations between the US and Iran have stalled after a failed interim deal in June.
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President Donald Trump’s administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to quickly allow new mail-in voting rules for the November midterm elections. A federal judge previously blocked the rules, but the administration wants the court to lift the block so the changes can be used before the election.
Key Facts
The Trump administration filed an emergency request to the Supreme Court to enforce mail-in voting restrictions.
A federal judge blocked these postal service ballot rules, saying they likely violate constitutional limits by overstepping state and congressional powers.
Nearly one-third of U.S. voters used mail ballots in the 2024 presidential election, making changes to mail voting significant.
North Carolina has already started mailing absentee ballots under current rules; other states will follow soon.
The administration argues blocking the rules causes confusion among election officials preparing ballots.
Opponents say changing voting rules close to the election risks disrupting the process.
Control of Congress is at stake in the midterms, with Republicans defending majorities and Democrats seeking to gain power.
Democrats say a shift in Congress could increase oversight of President Trump’s actions, including impeachment discussions.
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The CBS News show "Face the Nation" featured guests Rep. Lisa McClain, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Sunoco chairman Ray Washburne, who is also the Republican midterm convention chair. The segment covered discussions related to current U.S. political topics.
Key Facts
The show is called "Face the Nation" and airs on CBS News.
Guests included Rep. Lisa McClain, a U.S. Representative from Michigan.
Jocelyn Benson is the Michigan Secretary of State.
Ray Washburne is the chairman of Sunoco and the GOP midterm convention chair.
The discussion likely involved topics related to the Republican Party and upcoming elections.
Viewers can watch the show on the CBS News app or online via browsers like Chrome or Safari.
Some viewers missed the second half of the show, as noted in the content.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) under President Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court to let the government stop the U.S. Postal Service from sending mail-in ballots to some voters. The request aims to change rules about mail voting for the current election.
Key Facts
The DOJ requested an emergency ruling from the Supreme Court.
The request was made in a 40-page document by the Solicitor General, D. John Sauer.
The DOJ wants to restrict mail-in voting in the current election cycle.
They want to stop the Postal Service from automatically sending mail-in ballots to certain state residents.
The move is part of the Trump administration's effort to limit mail voting.
The Supreme Court is being asked to act quickly on this request.
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