Justice Department Charges Southern Poverty Law Center with Fraud in Informant Program

• Navy Secretary John Phelan was fired by the Pentagon on Wednesday night amid escalating tensions with Iran over the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. • The firing comes as the U.S. maintains military pressure on Iran, with reports indicating the blockade is costing Iran an estimated $500 million per day and pushing the regime toward economic collapse. • U.S. intelligence officials warn that Iran retains thousands of missiles and drones capable of threatening American interests in the region.

• House Republicans openly questioned President Donald Trump's mid-decade redistricting strategy on Wednesday, following a Democratic victory in Virginia on Tuesday that threatens the GOP's slim House majority. • The Virginia vote paves the way for as many as four Republican seats to be lost, intensifying GOP concerns about the redistricting war Trump sparked. • Republican lawmakers are now expressing misgivings about the strategy, signaling potential fractures within the party over Trump's aggressive electoral positioning ahead of the November midterms.

• The latest POLITICO-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab survey reveals strong majorities in both parties favor an independent panel for drawing House district lines. • Over 70% of Democrats and Republicans support the nonpartisan approach to prevent gerrymandering ahead of midterms. • This consensus could pressure Congress to reform redistricting processes and reduce partisan map battles.

• Susie Wiles has been reinstated as President Trump’s Chief of Staff after a brief ouster amid internal White House tensions. • Her return stabilizes key operations as the administration navigates midterm preparations and policy pushes. • Wiles' pro-Trump influence is expected to shape staffing and strategy through 2026 elections.

• California Democrats are urging swift action to fill the U.S. House seat vacated by former Rep. Eric Swalwell following his resignation. • Party leaders emphasize the need for a special election to maintain Democratic representation in the competitive district. • The vacancy heightens midterm stakes, with Republicans eyeing gains in the state amid shifting voter dynamics.

• 88-year-old congressional delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton is leading a back-seat response to the most serious federal threat to D.C.’s government in 30 years. • The challenge targets local autonomy, echoing Muriel Bowser's conflicts with Trump policies. • Victory for D.C. allies could preserve home rule amid national partisan divides.

• The Kennedy Center will hold its first award ceremony since President Trump overhauled the board of trustees earlier this year. • Changes aim to align cultural programming with administration priorities. • The event draws attention to federal arts funding debates and political influence on institutions.

• Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum demanded an explanation from the U.S. after American officials died during an operation in Chihuahua state. • The incident involves cross-border security efforts, straining bilateral relations. • Details remain limited, but it highlights risks in joint anti-cartel actions and potential policy shifts.

• The president requires congressional approval to extend a 30-day federal takeover of unspecified operations beyond the initial period. • Lawmakers from both parties debate the scope, with costs projected at millions in taxpayer funds. • Extension could set precedent for future interventions, raising federalism concerns among states.

• A $140 million super PAC war chest is poised to challenge Ohio Democrat Sherrod Brown's 2026 Senate return. • Funded by Republican donors, the group aims to exploit Brown's vulnerabilities in a key battleground. • This escalation underscores high stakes for Senate control amid Trump's midterm focus.

• President Trump announced hopes for a Friday meeting with Russian leaders to pave the way for a second sit-down including Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. • He tempered expectations, noting complex diplomacy amid ongoing conflict stalemate. • The potential talks signal U.S. push for resolution, potentially altering European security dynamics.