Republicans

Fresh polling on Donald Trump's approval rating is drawing wide attention, with commentators pointing to a divided public: strong support among his base alongside persistent disapproval among independents and opponents. The results are fueling debate about his standing heading into upcoming political battles and how the numbers may shape Republican strategy.

The US Supreme Court has cleared the way for states to use the federal SAVE database to verify the citizenship status of voters. The decision allows states to cross-check voter registration records against immigration data, a step several Republican-led states have sought as part of efforts to tighten election integrity rules. Critics argue the practice could disenfranchise eligible voters, while supporters say it safeguards the ballot.

Donald Trump is publicly amplifying criticism of a fellow Republican who broke with the party line on immigration. The move highlights his continued grip on the GOP and the risks facing lawmakers who cross him on one of the party's defining issues. It comes as immigration remains a central fight heading into the next election cycle.

A House Democrat has introduced 26 articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, alleging sweeping abuses of power across his second presidency. The broad filing covers a wide range of alleged misconduct rather than a single charge, though with Republicans controlling the House it is seen as largely symbolic. The move has drawn wide attention online, with commentators debating whether it signals serious momentum or political theatre.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing pointed criticism from Democrats and resistance from some Republicans over the US conflict with Iran and his dismissals of senior Pentagon officials. The disputes center on the administration's Iran strategy and concerns about the removals of top defense leadership, making the Pentagon chief a focal point of congressional tension.

President Trump has rejected a proposed deal with Iran following a week of high-stakes meetings with advisers and officials, according to The Hill's Sunday shows preview. At the same time, Republicans are scrambling to keep control of Congress ahead of upcoming elections. The weekend talk shows are expected to weigh both the collapsing diplomatic track with Tehran and the GOP's legislative and electoral prospects.

A group of Democratic congressional candidates is openly campaigning on their Christian faith, hoping to reconnect with religious voters who have drifted toward Republicans. The strategy is drawing attention as Democrats assess whether emphasizing faith can broaden their appeal in key races, and whether religious language will resonate with moderate and rural constituents in the current political climate.

Donald Trump has floated a proposal to pay American households a $5,000 dividend, backed by factions within the Republican Party. The pledge has sparked debate over how the payments would be funded, their inflationary impact, and whether they amount to a serious policy plan or a political gesture aimed at voters ahead of upcoming elections.

A large-scale ICE enforcement sweep is intensifying Republican efforts to turn the Trump administration's immigration crackdown into permanent legislation. The operation, described as massive, is being cited by GOP lawmakers as justification for codifying expanded detention and deportation policies so they survive beyond executive orders. The sweep is drawing national attention and sharpening the political fight over immigration enforcement.

This week in U.S. politics, President Trump is confronting growing defections from within his own Republican Party, while preparing for a summit with China. A separate feud with the press is also drawing attention. Analysts are watching whether intra-party dissent will weaken Trump's position heading into high-stakes diplomacy with Beijing.

Ahead of the US midterm elections, Republicans are shifting onto the offensive in key races, targeting districts where Democrats are seen as vulnerable. Coverage focuses on which states and House seats the party believes it can flip, and how issues like the economy and immigration are shaping campaign strategy. Analysts are watching whether the momentum holds through election day.

Donald Trump is publicly promoting criticism of a fellow Republican who broke with him on immigration, drawing attention to a fresh rift inside the party. The dispute highlights continuing tensions over immigration policy within the GOP heading into the midterm election season, with Trump signaling he is willing to target members of his own party who diverge from his hardline stance.

The Supreme Court has struck down a Republican-drawn congressional map in Missouri, handing Democrats a notable win in the ongoing battle over redistricting. The ruling comes as election watchers track how district lines drawn after the 2020 census could shape control of Congress, with partisan map fights playing out in multiple states.

A US Senate committee has voted to hold Anthony Fauci, the former top US infectious disease official, in contempt of Congress. The vote escalates a long-running standoff between Republican lawmakers and Fauci over documents and testimony connected to the federal response to Covid-19 and the origins of the pandemic. Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for decades before retiring in 2022, remains a frequent target of congressional scrutiny, and the move is likely to deepen partisan fights over pandemic-era decisions.

Republicans are redirecting campaign funds into dozens of US House districts that had previously been considered safe seats, according to Reuters. The spending shift suggests party strategists see unexpected vulnerability ahead of the elections, and are moving resources to defend districts that were once assumed secure rather than focusing only on competitive races.

NPR reports on a group of Democratic congressional candidates who are making their Christian faith central to their campaigns, hoping to connect with religious voters who have traditionally leaned Republican. The piece examines whether openly faith-based campaigning can broaden the party's appeal in the 2026 midterms, and observers are weighing whether this strategy will translate into electoral gains.

Hispanic Republicans are speaking out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, arguing the agency is over-reacting in its enforcement operations. At the same time, they are turning attention to the economy, an issue they see as central to winning over Hispanic voters. The criticism highlights tensions within the party between hardline immigration policies and the concerns of Hispanic constituencies ahead of upcoming political contests.

CBS News' Eye on Politics segment covers fresh super PAC spending pouring into a closely contested governor's race, alongside a discussion with Hispanic Republicans about their role in the election. The roundup highlights how outside money and shifting voter coalitions could influence one of the country's most competitive gubernatorial contests.

NPR is examining whether Democrats can gain ground in Republican-leaning states by running clergy members as candidates. The discussion centers on whether pastors and other religious leaders can connect with conservative voters on moral and community terms, potentially broadening the party's appeal where it has struggled electorally in recent years.

The US Supreme Court has once again blocked the use of a Republican-favored congressional map in Missouri, preventing the state from implementing new district boundaries that had been advanced by GOP lawmakers. The repeated intervention comes amid an ongoing legal fight over redistricting in the state, with courts weighing whether the map complies with constitutional and voting-rights requirements.

Some Republican members of Congress from Iowa publicly disagreed with President Trump during the past month, breaking with the White House on issues before Congress. The monthly 'Inside Iowa Politics' roundup from KTIV highlights those moments of dissent, drawing attention to tensions within Iowa's GOP delegation and how its lawmakers are balancing loyalty to the president with constituent concerns back home.

Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, in Ohio, says the Trump administration 'went about it the wrong way' on immigration. Jones, a Republican who has previously backed tough immigration enforcement, is publicly breaking with the administration's tactics. His comments stand out because he has long been a prominent supporter of stricter immigration policy, making his criticism notable in the ongoing debate over enforcement.

NPR examines whether clergy running for office could help Democrats become competitive in Republican-leaning states. The report explores how candidates with religious backgrounds may connect with conservative voters on moral and community terms, testing a new electoral strategy for the party ahead of the 2026 midterms.

NPR's Sunday Story examines whether Democrats can improve their fortunes in Republican-leaning states by recruiting clergy members to run for office. The piece explores how pastoral backgrounds — community trust, moral authority and organizing experience — could resonate with voters who have moved away from the party, and whether faith-based candidates offer a path back into red-state politics.

The Supreme Court has rejected a Trump-backed Missouri congressional map for the third time. The repeated rejections mean the contested district boundaries drawn with the former president's support will not take effect as drafted, leaving Missouri's congressional representation governed by existing lines while Republicans consider how to respond to the court's stance.

Republican strategist Karl Rove says he received credible threats after he criticized the GOP and voiced support for a Democrat veteran. Rove says he stands by his remarks and would not back down from those threatening him. The comments have drawn attention as the longtime party operative publicly breaks ranks with his own side.

The Republican Party is holding its national midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, drawing party leaders, delegates and activists ahead of the midterm elections. The gathering is being used to rally support, set campaign messaging and spotlight candidates ahead of voting.