eto.

Chuck Edwards' abrupt exit leaves Republicans scrambling

Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) abruptly withdrew from his re-election campaign after the House Ethics Committee recommended his censure for violating House rules over sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Edwards' decision came after the committee's findings, which included incidents of harassment and inappropriate conduct toward female staffers, were made public. His exit has complicated the Republican strategy for the 11th District, which was already a toss-up race. Democratic opponent Jamie Ager significantly out-raised Edwards in the second quarter, shifting the race from "lean Republican" to "toss-up" according to Sabato's Crystal Ball. Edwards' withdrawal has weakened the GOP position, with some Republicans acknowledging the seat is now in trouble. The replacement nominee will have to start from scratch three months before Election Day, requiring significant fundraising efforts from the GOP.

Where the accounts differ

Axios reports that Edwards' decision to drop out was made via social media, while The Hill notes that the House Ethics Committee's findings were corroborated by Axios and included handwritten correspondence, personal gifts, and other incidents. The Daily Wire and Mother Jones focus on different representatives, Max Miller, and his allegations of abuse, which are not mentioned in Axios or The Hill. The Daily Caller and New York Post discuss Cory Mills' political troubles and primary challenges, which are not covered in the other accounts. The Hill and Axios both mention the House Democratic Women’s Caucus calling for Edwards' resignation, but The Hill adds that the Democratic Women’s Caucus is working on a bipartisan measure to prohibit romantic relationships between members of Congress and all staffers.

Senate panel votes to hold Dr. Fauci in contempt over refusal to answer questions

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted Thursday to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress for repeatedly invoking the Fifth Amendment during a hearing last week. The vote, which was 8-5, followed Fauci’s refusal to answer questions about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and his role in the federal response. Rand Paul, the committee’s chairman, said he would immediately refer the contempt resolution to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution. Fauci, who was pardoned by President Joe Biden before leaving office, argued that the Fifth Amendment still protected him from self-incrimination. Democrats criticized the vote as a political stunt that could harm future oversight efforts.

Paul claimed that Fauci had no legal basis to invoke the Fifth Amendment because of the pardon, which he said covers any crimes committed from 2014 to 2025. Fauci’s attorneys argued that the pardon only protects against federal crimes and does not negate his Fifth Amendment rights. The Department of Justice has not yet commented on whether it will investigate the referral.

Where the accounts differ

The Daily Wire and ABC News both state that Paul plans to send the contempt resolution directly to the Department of Justice, while The Hill and Axios note that the resolution could also be sent to the full Senate for a vote. The Daily Wire mentions that Paul’s office sent two criminal referrals to the Biden Justice Department and two more under Trump, while The Hill and Axios do not specify the number of referrals. The Daily Wire also includes details about the potential prison sentences for Bannon and Navarro, which are not mentioned in the other accounts. The Hill and Axios describe the legal argument around the pardon and the Fifth Amendment, while The Daily Wire attributes the characterization of the pardon as a "sweeping" one to Paul.

Sen. Mitch McConnell Gives Major Update After Months In Hospital

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced Thursday that he has been released from a rehabilitation facility and will continue his recovery at his Kentucky home, ending a months-long hospitalization. The 84-year-old senator, who is not running for reelection, provided no timeline on a possible return to Washington, D.C. His absence has complicated efforts to confirm Todd Blanche’s nomination to be the U.S. Attorney General, as the acting Attorney General is struggling to earn 50 votes for confirmation. McConnell stated he will maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period and continue to engage with his staff and colleagues on important Senate business.

McConnell’s extended hospitalization has fueled questions about his health and what would happen if he were unable to complete his final term. He has remained hospitalized since June 14, when emergency responders were dispatched to his Washington residence following what was widely reported as an emergency radio traffic describing a cardiac arrest requiring CPR. The lack of information sparked widespread speculation online. The Kentucky Republican’s absence has also drawn scrutiny from lawmakers in both parties, with Kentucky’s Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, publicly urging McConnell to release more information about his health.

Where the accounts differ

The Daily Wire and The Guardian both state that McConnell was hospitalized following a fall at home in June and that he was briefly unconscious. The New York Post and The Daily Caller mention that McConnell was found “unconscious” and taken to the hospital in an ambulance, while The Daily Wire and The Guardian do not specify the exact nature of the emergency. The Daily Wire and The Guardian note that McConnell’s office initially provided few details, while The New York Post and The Daily Caller include quotes from McConnell’s July 12 statement, which he said he had been hospitalized due to a fall and a “mild case of pneumonia.” The Daily Wire and The Guardian also mention that McConnell’s doctors have stated he is not yet medically cleared to return to the office, while The New York Post and The Daily Caller do not include this detail. The Daily Wire and The Guardian report that McConnell’s absence has complicated the confirmation of Todd Blanche, while The New York Post and The Daily Caller do not mention this explicitly.

Trump says he hasn't made a determination on Pirro's future

President Trump stated Tuesday he has not decided whether to retain Jeanine Pirro as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia after she dropped charges against Olympian David Hearn for allegedly damaging the Reflecting Pool. Pirro cited contractor issues as the cause of the damage, not Hearn. The case was dismissed by a D.C. judge, with Pirro’s office citing insufficient information from the Department of Interior. Trump criticized Pirro publicly, calling her performance in court “vicious” and accusing her of “choking.” Meanwhile, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice, alleging the agency is withholding Epstein-related records needed for a state investigation into Zorro Ranch.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced scrutiny over his handling of the Epstein files, with Torrez accusing the DOJ of “stonewalling” the state’s investigation. The lawsuit claims the DOJ provided only 31 pages of materials, far less than the 13,000 mentions of Zorro Ranch in the files. Blanche’s comments on abortion rights, including plans to restrict access even in states where it is legal, were also reported, though the Justice Department said his remarks were mischaracterized.

Where the accounts differ

The Hill and UPI both report that Pirro dropped charges against Hearn, citing contractor issues, while The Guardian and Christian Science Monitor note that the case was dismissed by a judge. The Hill and UPI describe Trump’s public criticism of Pirro, while The Guardian and Christian Science Monitor attribute the dismissal of the case to the judge’s decision. The Guardian and Christian Science Monitor report that the DOJ provided only 31 pages of materials, while ABC News and The Guardian mention that the DOJ provided some documents but not the full set. The Hill and UPI report that Trump called Pirro “vicious” and accused her of “choking,” while The Guardian and Christian Science Monitor do not include this specific language.

Trump-endorsed Rep. Andy Ogles loses GOP primary in Tennessee's 5th District

Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., lost the Republican primary for Tennessee's 5th Congressional District to challenger Charlie Hatcher, a former state Agriculture Commissioner. The Associated Press projected Hatcher's victory with 53.2% of the vote to Ogles' 46.8%. Hatcher secured the endorsement of Gov. Bill Lee, while Ogles received the backing of President Donald Trump. The race was influenced by redistricting, which reshaped the district to favor Hatcher. The Invest in Tomorrow Coalition, a pro-clean energy super PAC, spent around $2 million supporting Hatcher and opposing Ogles.

Ogles, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, has faced controversy for his rhetoric, including past social media posts deemed homophobic and inflammatory. He also faced an FBI investigation into campaign finance records, which concluded without charges. Hatcher, a fifth-generation dairy farmer, ran on a platform of pro-gun, anti-abortion, and pro-Trump positions. He criticized Ogles for being a "show horse" and for not spending enough time on legislative action.

Where the accounts differ

FOX News reports that the Invest in Tomorrow Coalition is bankrolled by Chris Larsen, a Democratic donor and Ripple chairman, and that Ogles accused the group of trying to "buy his seat." CBS News and Washington Examiner also mention Larsen as a donor but do not attribute the accusation to Ogles. The Hill and Just The News do not mention Larsen's political affiliations. CBS News states that Ogles deleted a post about homosexuality, while FOX News and Washington Examiner describe the post as deleted and reprimanded. The Hill and Washington Examiner note that Ogles' district was redrawn to favor Hatcher, while CBS News and Just The News provide more detail on the redistricting's impact.

Trump denies U.S. running low on some munitions, says vast resupplies being made

President Trump publicly denied reports of U.S. munitions shortages during the war with Iran, calling the claims "treasonous" and vowing to jail those who leak such information. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed the U.S. has "massive amounts" of munitions, especially of certain types, and that large amounts are being manufactured and shipped to the U.S. as needed. He also accused "leakers" of spreading false information and warned of long-term jail sentences for them.

CBS News reported that the U.S. has used nearly all of its global stockpile of long-range precision missiles during the war, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. These sources said the U.S. has used virtually all of its Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs). The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated that by the end of July, the U.S. had between 759 and 827 Patriot missiles left, down from 2,330 before the war, and between 234 and 278 THAAD interceptors, down from 452.

Where the accounts differ

CBS News and The Guardian both reported that the U.S. has used nearly all of its long-range precision missiles, including ATACMS and PrSMs, citing sources with direct knowledge. FOX News and The Guardian also cited Reuters, which reported that the U.S. had used "virtually all" of its supply of ATACMS and PrSMs. However, CBS News and The Guardian noted that the Trump administration has disputed this claim. The New York Post and FOX News both reported that the White House and Pentagon denied the Washington Post's report that Trump had confronted Hegseth over a possible weapons shortfall. The New York Post and BBC also noted that the White House and Pentagon denied the Washington Post's report, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt calling it "B.S." and stating that the story "literally never happened."

Trump targeting 'birth tourism' in new birthright citizenship effort

U.S. President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Thursday aimed at restricting birthright citizenship and banning "birth tourism," the practice of entering the U.S. to give birth for the purpose of securing automatic citizenship for the child. The orders seek to deny birthright citizenship to children of foreign diplomats, alien enemies, and those who enter the U.S. with the intent to give birth. Trump criticized the Supreme Court's rejection of his earlier attempt to end birthright citizenship, calling it a "very unfair decision." He claimed that "hundreds of thousands" of people are exploiting the system, with some building businesses around birth tourism.

The orders also expand definitions of non-citizens whose children are not eligible for birthright citizenship, including members of foreign terrorist organizations and individuals who fraudulently obtain visas. The administration argues that these measures are permitted under the Supreme Court's ruling, which upheld the 14th Amendment's guarantee of birthright citizenship. The orders apply to future births and do not affect current citizens.

Where the accounts differ

UPI and The Daily Wire both report that Trump claimed birthright citizenship was intended for "the babies of slaves," while Axios and the New York Post attribute this characterization to Trump. The Washington Examiner and BBC state that Trump claimed birthright citizenship was introduced after the Civil War to ensure the children of slaves were considered citizens. The Daily Wire and BBC mention that Trump estimated "hundreds of thousands" of foreigners have exploited birthright citizenship, while UPI and the New York Post attribute this claim to Trump. The Daily Wire provides specific examples of birth tourism centers and lawsuits, which are not included in the other accounts.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn Wins Tennessee GOP Primary for Governor

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) won the Republican primary for Tennessee governor on Thursday, defeating Rep. John Rose (R-TN) and state Rep. Monty Fritts. With over 90% of the vote in, Blackburn led Rose with 43.5% to 32.7%, according to Decision Desk HQ. The race was seen as a foregone conclusion in a deeply red state that has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 2006. Blackburn, a longtime Republican, is expected to face Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green (D-TN) in the November general election.

Blackburn’s campaign focused on issues like immigration, China, and economic conservatism. She ran a viral ad in which she smashed a fortune cookie, declaring, “It doesn’t take a fortune cookie to figure it out: here in Tennessee, we’re going to stop Communist China and protect Tennessee land.” She also pledged to work with the Trump administration to continue efforts against China and to deport illegal immigrants. Rose, a four-term U.S. Rep., campaigned on rural issues and criticized a $30 million incentive package for a Starbucks expansion, arguing it should support local businesses instead. Fritts, who raised little money, centered his campaign on religious issues, including a call to ban mosques and other non-Christian religious groups.

Where the accounts differ

The Daily Wire and Washington Examiner both report Blackburn received 43.5% of the vote, while CBS News and Just The News state she received 43.8%. FOX News reports Blackburn received 43.9%. The Daily Wire and Washington Examiner note Blackburn led Rose by over 10 points, while CBS News and Just The News report a margin of over 11 points. The Daily Wire and FOX News mention Blackburn’s victory speech and her comments about uniting conservatives, while CBS News and Just The News focus on her expected general election matchup with Jerri Green. The Daily Wire and FOX News attribute Blackburn’s anti-China ad to her campaign, while CBS News and Washington Examiner note the ad was part of her campaign strategy. The Daily Wire and FOX News mention Blackburn’s comments about Trump’s endorsement, while CBS News and Washington Examiner note Trump did not endorse in the race.