POLITICS08/08/26

Senate Averts Government Shutdown

The Senate passed a short-term spending bill, averting a government shutdown before November elections.

Photo: Fox News Politics

DIFFERENT FOCUS

Bloomberg Politics emphasized Trump Priorities Ignored; Fox News Politics emphasized Democratic Capitulation, GOP Win.

LEFT FOCUS

▸Bloomberg reported the bill sidestepped Trump's calls for Iran war emergency funds. — Bloomberg Politics
▸Bloomberg reported the bill also excluded elements of a controversial voter ID proposal. — Bloomberg Politics

RIGHT FOCUS

▸Fox News framed the outcome as Schumer caving and handing Republicans a shutdown win. — Fox News Politics
▸Fox News reported that Senate Majority Leader Thune said Democrats feared being blamed for a shutdown. — Fox News Politics
▸Fox News reported Thune told Fox News Digital Democrats made a political calculation to relent. — Fox News Politics

Suspicious Substance Letters Probe Widens

Federal authorities investigate suspicious substance letters mailed to congressional and election offices nationwide.

Left: 100+ letters threaten election officials nationwide.

Right: Schumer, Dem senators named as letter targets.

DOJ charged 28 noncitizens and arrested 11 in California under 'Operation Protect the Vote.'

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Thursday: The Justice Department gave California 48 hours to review flagged noncitizen voters or face emergency legal action.

Sunday: DOJ threatens criminal prosecution for processing noncitizen ballots

Tuesday: DOJ charges 28 noncitizens, arrests 11 in California

Left: Defendants say they never registered to vote.

Right: DOJ arrests 11, charges 28 noncitizen voters.

Trump signed an executive order Friday waiving Russia sanctions under the Lindsey Graham-named law, drawing bipartisan criticism.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Saturday: Trump signs executive order waiving Russia sanctions and tariffs mandated by the Graham Act.

Sunday: Executive order signed two days before sanctions took effect

Left: A gift to Putin, a slap at Graham's legacy

Right: Energy relief, acting in national interest

The DOJ warned California officials that processing ballots from suspected noncitizens could result in criminal prosecution.

DEVELOPING TIMELINE

First Report Thursday: The Justice Department gave California 48 hours to review flagged noncitizen voters or face emergency legal action.

Sunday: DOJ threatens criminal prosecution for processing noncitizen ballots

Left: Feds pressure California mid-election with criminal threat

Right: Trump vows jail if noncitizen ballots are counted