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Articles by Brett Bachman
Trump Says He Encouraged His New Press Secretary to ‘Reconsider’ the Gig
President Donald Trump told reporters Friday that he asked his new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, to consider stepping aside after a difficult first week on the job. Trump announced her appointment in a Truth Social post last Friday, and she assumed the position Monday — but a widely panned first press conference and a series of awkward interviews left the president questioning her ability to perform the strenuous job of speaking for the commander-in-chief.
Afternoon Sun: Stumped
Good afternoon. Here’s what you need to know. THE LATEST Federal agents searched the D.C. home of Rep. Ilhan Omar this morning as part of an unspecified criminal investigation, a highly unusual move this close to an election. Omar and other Democrats accused the Trump administration of abusing its power. “Make no mistake: this is an attempt to target political enemies and weaponize federal law enforcement,” Omar said.
Afternoon Sun: Pool Your Jets
Good afternoon. This is the Afternoon Sun newsletter for Oct. 5, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST The White House is refusing to allow Politico to travel with President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One today, a spokesperson for the outlet said. The political news site was slated to be the print pool representative.
Afternoon Sun: Bye Bye FBI
Good afternoon. This is the Afternoon Sun newsletter for Sept. 28, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST Deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey is leaving his role abruptly, saying he wants to spend more time with his family.
With Friends Like These…
Good afternoon. This is the Afternoon Sun newsletter for Sept. 14, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST Donald Trump Jr.’s wife, Bettina Anderson, confirmed this morning that a Russian oligarch with ties to President Vladimir Putin bankrolled part of the couple’s wedding weekend in the Bahamas earlier this year. “Friendship doesn’t require a political motive. Generosity doesn’t automatically come with an agenda.
Buying Back Bonds Bigger
Good afternoon, and welcome to The Afternoon Sun, formerly known as Final NOTUS! Read more about our new era as The Washington Sun here, but you can expect the same newsletter and comprehensive coverage of national politics and policy. THE LATEST Temporary Protected Status was set to expire for around 200,000 Salvadorans today, but the Trump administration has left their status in question.
Trump ❤️s Data Centers
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for Aug. 31, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST The Supreme Court will allow construction of the White House ballroom to continue. An unsigned opinion ruled that the National Trust for Historic Preservation does not have the legal right to challenge the project, adding that if construction was stopped, national security would be harmed.
Ace of Trades
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for Aug. 24, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST President Donald Trump threatened to impose even steeper tariffs on Canada this morning after trade talks between the two countries unraveled. All cars and car parts, as well as steel, would be hit with a 50% levy starting Jan. 1 if Trump follows through.
‘The Human Sprinter’
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for Aug. 21, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST President Donald Trump’s ballroom construction can continue while the Supreme Court weighs an emergency application, Chief Justice John Roberts ruled today. It’s unclear how long the administrative stay will last.
DSA-Backed Challenger Upsets Alex Vindman in Florida’s Democratic Senate Primary
Alex Vindman, a former national security official who played a key role in the first impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, lost a stunning upset to a progressive challenger in Florida’s U.S. Senate race Tuesday. Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon overcame a staggering 16-to-1 spending differential to win, instead relying on a robust ground operation in what was expected to be a low-turnout primary.
Ink Case You Missed It
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for Aug. 17, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST President Donald Trump threatened to “bomb the shit out of” U.S. ally Oman today in an interview on Fox News, just as his 60-day ceasefire deal with Iran timed out. Oman has been mediating talks between the U.S. and Iran, though it’s unclear what specifically prompted Trump’s outburst.
Golf the Blues Away
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for August 3, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST President Donald Trump complained this morning about the “unbelievably duplicitous” Iranian regime after it denied his assertion that another round of ceasefire negotiations were set to begin. But he’s having a better time on the links. Trump, 80, apparently won the club championship at his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey over the weekend.
Air Force One-Maxxing
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for July 20, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST President Donald Trump insists that his new, Qatari-donated Air Force One has all of the necessary security features — but he’s still taking it out of service for at least a month to be “maxed out,” he told a reporter. His administration is seeking the phone records of journalists who reported on the jet’s security shortcomings.
Trump Taking Qatari-Donated AF1 Out of Service to Be ‘Maxed Out’
President Donald Trump’s new, Qatari-donated Air Force One is set to be taken out of service for at least a month to be “maxed out,” he said on Sunday when asked about concerns over the jet’s security measures. He rode on the $400 million jet from New Jersey, where he attended the World Cup final, to Washington Sunday evening and addressed reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
Republican Russell Fry Launches a Bid for Lindsey Graham’s Senate Seat
Republican Rep. Russell Fry announced Monday that he was launching a campaign for the Senate seat held by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, entering a brief and potentially crowded field in South Carolina. He could be up against Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, who was appointed to hold his seat through this November’s election. President Donald Trump endorsed her last week but she has not yet officially launched her campaign for a full term.
Wisconsin Governor Candidate Drops Out After Reporting Financial ‘Inaccuracies’
Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez suspended her gubernatorial campaign on Friday, just days after reporting “serious mismanagement and inaccuracies” in campaign finance filings and accusing her former campaign manager of vastly overstating her fundraising totals. “I am deeply hurt and betrayed by what happened,” Rodriguez said in a video message posted on social media. “I cannot in good conscience let these questions become a cloud over an election that Democrats need to win.
The New Graham
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for July 13, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has selected the late Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve as his interim replacement for the rest of his term. She will become the first female senator to represent the state.
New Platner Bombshell
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for July 6, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here— it’s free! THE LATEST A woman who dated embattled U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner accused him of sexually assaulting her roughly five years ago, Politico reported this afternoon. Just before the story dropped, the oyster farmer canceled a string of campaign events.
Mollusk Mania
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for July 2, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here— it’s free! THE LATEST Happy National Scallops Day, the new holiday that President Donald Trump emphatically declared after opening the waters off Cape Cod to harvesting of the tasty mollusks.
Dems Are Using Your Search History
Today’s notice: Democrats’ “behavioral targeting” plan. Making sense of where Iran peace talks stand. Planned Parenthood’s fortunes are about to turn. Patrick Kennedy talks to NOTUS about RFK Jr. Mayor Pete talks to NOTUS about the Biden years. Plus: the Reflecting Pool, America’s most famous political metaphor? THE LATEST Democrats look for the edge, and maybe find it.
Immediate Signs of Strain as Iran Talks Kick Off in Switzerland
Tense talks between the United States and Iran had scarcely begun Sunday before the signs of strain started to show. Shortly after Vice President JD Vance arrived in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, President Donald Trump was already voicing his displeasure with the state of his recently negotiated ceasefire agreement, lashing out at Iran for failing to stop its proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah, from engaging in a flare-up of hostilities with Israel.
Trump, Without Evidence, Blames ‘Disgraceful Vandalism’ for Reflecting Pool Do-Over
Just a week after the completion of President Donald Trump’s much-hyped $14 million renovation of the iconic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, the water is green and a thin layer of “American flag blue” paint originally meant to augment the color of the feature has begun to peel. But rather than blaming Mother Nature or the contractor who won a no-bid contract for the renovation, Trump has turned his ire on another alleged culprit: vandals.
‘Follow the Bouncing Ball’
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for May 14, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks resigned today. In a statement, he left out any mention of the turmoil at DHS, but did suggest that he was looking forward to retirement: “Now is my time to enjoy family and life.” Banks had faced questions about his behavior at the agency.
Ballroom Blitz
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for May 12, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST The White House is doubling down on its push to get congressional funding for Donald Trump’s ballroom project. During today’s weekly Senate Republican lunch, officials — led by Secret Service Director Sean Curran — offered line-by-line details on the $1 billion plan for the overall East Wing renovation project, NOTUS’ Al Weaver and Igor Bobic report.
Trump Pauses Operation to Free Ships From Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump on Tuesday night announced a short-term pause on a U.S. operation to protect ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, saying that the drawdown was a sign negotiators were close to a deal with Iran.
‘Back to the Way It Was’
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for May 5, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST The U.S. war with Iran is over, Marco Rubio said at a White House press briefing this afternoon — but an entirely new U.S. operation has begun to put the Strait of Hormuz “back the way it was.” The secretary of state was filling in for Karoline Leavitt, who is on maternity leave.
Primary Day Preview
Today’s notice: The questions voters in Indiana and Ohio can answer tonight. One billion dollars for Trump’s ballroom — with a catch. RFK Jr. vs. antidepressants. Democrats try again to craft a unifying populist message. An interview with the president of the Human Rights Campaign. And: Exclusive reporting on a union spending scandal. THE LATEST Today will be a turning point in the election cycle. By tomorrow, we’ll know a lot about what comes next.
Strait Shot
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for May 4, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST The U.S.-Iran war is heating back up after both sides launched a series of attacks this morning that threaten to end a shaky four-week ceasefire.
Iced Out
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 30, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST The 76-day partial shutdown will end after the House voted to fund much of DHS sans immigration enforcement. The bill now heads to Donald Trump’s desk, where he’s expected to sign it soon. The bill has been languishing in the lower chamber since the Senate passed it earlier this month.
While You Were Busy With the Astronauts
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 29, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST The Supreme Court significantly weakened the Voting Rights Act in a 6-3 decision with huge potential ramifications for the 2026 midterms.
A King in Congress
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 28, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST King Charles’ congressional address was a hopeful picture of U.S.-British relations, emphasizing the countries’ shared democratic values and avoiding recent tension over America’s war with Iran. Charles did, however, affirm the U.K.’s commitment to NATO, a recent target of Donald Trump’s ire.
Build The Dang Ballroom?
Today’s notice: Large event space politics. Checking up on the state of FOIA. Kevin Warsh’s life gets a little easier. And: Pay attention to the growing progressive fracture on tax policy. THE LATEST Donald Trump was happy to talk yesterday about what officials are referring to as the latest attempt on his life.
Tillis Agrees to End His Blockade of Trump’s Fed Chair Nominee
The Senate may soon be able to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominee for chair of the Federal Reserve after a crucial swing vote said on Sunday that he would lift his opposition to Kevin Warsh. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, a member of the chamber’s Banking Committee, had for weeks held up the confirmation process over his opposition to a criminal probe opened by the Justice Department into current Fed chair Jerome Powell.
MAGA Settles On a Message After WHCD Shooting: ‘We Need the Ballroom’
It only took minutes after a gunman attempted to storm into the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner for the president and his most fervent supporters to settle on a message: This is why construction must immediately resume on the 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom that President Donald Trump had torn down the East Wing to accommodate.
WHCD Suspect Was ‘Targeting Members of the Administration,’ Blanche Says
Federal law enforcement officials believe that the suspect in a shooting that prompted the evacuation of President Donald Trump from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was looking to target high-profile members of the administration, acting attorney general Todd Blanche said Sunday morning. He did, however, stress that the evidence was preliminary and that the investigation remains ongoing.
Mine Games
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 23, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST Iran continues to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reports, while Donald Trump is threatening to up the ante after the U.S. military seized another tanker the Department of Defense said was transporting Iranian oil.
American Spirit Airlines
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 22, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST How quickly will the global economy recover after the U.S. war with Iran ends?
1, 2, 3 Trend
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 21, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST Nevermind all that: Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick this afternoon became the third member of the House to hand in her resignation in the past month — shortly before the chamber’s Ethics Committee was set to hold a hearing to announce sanctions against her related to allegations she funneled millions in disaster relief funds to her campaign.
Another Cabinet Secretary Out
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 20, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST Just in: Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer has resigned, NOTUS’ Reese Gorman reports. She was a magnet for scandal during her 12 months in office, facing allegations ranging from alleged misuse of government resources to accusations that she drank on the job and carried out an “inappropriate” relationship with a subordinate.
RFK Jr. Is Having a Normal One
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 16, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST Donald Trump announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon today after leaders from the two countries met in Washington. He added that he plans to host formal peace talks at the White House between Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the president of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun.
‘An Explosion in Affordability’
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 15, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST The White House is sending more than 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East, The Washington Post reported today. That number includes as many as 6,000 service members on the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier and roughly 4,200 with a task force that includes the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Friends and Enemies
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 14, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST Eric Swalwell filed his resignation from Congress today, effective immediately, NOTUS’ Reese Gorman reports. His staffers (the ones who hadn’t yet quit) will now work for the voters in the district until the seat is filled.
Momentum Grows for Expulsion of Multiple Scandal-Ridden House Lawmakers
Momentum is building to expel a pair of scandal-ridden members of Congress following a series of bombshell accusations of sexual assault and misconduct against Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat who is also running for governor of California. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican, said over the weekend that she will attempt to force a vote on expelling Swalwell from the chamber. In response, Democrats said they would also force a vote on the expulsion of Texas Republican Rep.
Trump Orders U.S. Navy to Blockade the Strait of Hormuz After Ceasefire Talks Break Down
President Donald Trump said Sunday morning that in response to the breakdown in talks between the U.S. and Iran, he would soon order his own blockade on all ships trying to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz. The remarks signaled an apparent end to the ceasefire agreement Trump announced last week to great fanfare.
‘Going to Low-Key It’
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 9, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST Donald Trump said he’s convinced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to scale back strikes on Lebanon, one of the sticking points that has snagged negotiations between Iran and the U.S. and kept the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed despite an apparent agreement to open it. “I spoke with Bibi and he’s going to low-key it.
‘Legitimate Misunderstanding’
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 8, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST The ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. appears to be falling apart in the first 24 hours, before in-person negotiations on a permanent truce have even begun. The speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the U.S. “clearly violated” three of the deal’s tenets.
Will He or Won’t He?
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 7, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST ‘A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.” That’s how Donald Trump described his plans for strikes in Iran this evening, should the country not reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8 p.m. ET. A wave of Democrats called for Trump’s removal over the post.
‘I Can’t Tell’
Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for April 6, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free! THE LATEST The president is ready to destroy all of Iran’s bridges and power plants tomorrow. And don’t rule out the country’s schools and hospitals, Donald Trump said this afternoon at a wide-ranging press conference on the war with Iran. Is the conflict winding down or heating up, a reporter asked. “I don’t know. I can’t tell,” Trump replied.
Who Blinks First?
Today’s notice: Everyone’s pointing their finger at someone else in Congress. Are boots about to be on the ground? Concerns about federal agents at polling places. The question for medical groups: to woo RFK Jr. or sue? Plus: Republicans’ 2028 field takes shape. THE LATEST Stalemate. Impasse. Complete breakdown.
Saving Spring Break
Good afternoon. Here’s what you need to know. THE LATEST Is a DHS funding deal finally coming together? Senate Majority Leader John Thune is aiming to get something done today. He didn’t offer details but said negotiations haven’t strayed far from the widely reported framework that lawmakers have been discussing all week. “I think the Dems are now in possession of what I think is our last and final offer,” Thune told reporters.
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