The Christian Science Monitor | Politics https://www.csmonitor.com Coverage of US politics from The Christian Science Monitor. en-us Christian Science Monitor. All rights reserved. Sat, 30 May 2026 13:00:30 EDT 300 The Christian Science Monitor | Politics https://www.csmonitor.com/extension/csm_base/design/csm_design/images/csmlogo_250x30.png https://www.csmonitor.com As Southern states rush to redraw maps, some hit the brakes instead https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0529/south-carolina-redistricting-clyburn?icid=rss 62d23b95f9889c8b5bd77d4e58a5e54f South Carolina deferred on redistricting this week – underscoring the complexities and political risks of redrawing maps in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling last month on the Voting Rights Act and majority-minority districts. Fri, 29 May 2026 12:13:49 -0400 Simon Montlake Empty federal buildings are a growing problem – and an opportunity https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0529/federal-buildings-reform-board-redevelopment?icid=rss bb3905b5642cc6cffdac6ac06a4d6e82 Underuse is a chronic challenge in federal buildings – making many ripe for resale and redevelopment into housing, office, or retail space. But efforts are running up against bureaucratic hurdles. Fri, 29 May 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Ross Herbert In LA, voter discontent and AI ads fuel an improbable mayoral candidacy https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0528/los-angeles-mayor-pratt-ai-videos?icid=rss efda9921ba966c0b976ef3b4c17756fb Reality TV star Spencer Pratt has seen a flurry of donations and support in the run-up to LA’s June 2 mayoral election, in a campaign shaped by last year’s Palisades Fire and a series of provocative AI videos. Thu, 28 May 2026 05:00:22 -0400 Sophie Hills In Washington, a profound shift in how taxpayer money is spent. Will it last? https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0528/trump-congress-spending-authority?icid=rss 33ed609ca5b6cf87dc4ac205a218db0b President Donald Trump has worked to control more government spending, as Congress has ceded some of its power of the purse. The change could create a new normal. Thu, 28 May 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Caitlin Babcock Paxton trounces Cornyn in Texas, a sign of Trump’s hold on GOP https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0527/paxton-cornyn-texas-senate?icid=rss 07e779c00ddb1fdedb0743db6236f323 Texas’ polarizing attorney general easily bested the veteran senator, underscoring President Donald Trump’s sway with GOP voters. November’s general election, against Democrat James Talarico, may be a tighter race. Wed, 27 May 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Henry Gass Iran hawks in GOP pan Trump’s emerging proposal to end the war https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0524/iran-deal-trump-gop-nuclear-peace-strait-of-hormuz?icid=rss 62ba3d10318a41de516e4948c87883b1 President Donald Trump’s emerging deal to end the Iran war is drawing heavy criticism from some fellow Republicans. They favor a harder line against the Iranian government and fear a lost opportunity to finally rein in a longtime Mideast nemesis. Sun, 24 May 2026 16:24:56 -0400 Darlene Superville and Matthew Daly Some Republicans in Congress buck Trump, complicating paths forward https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0522/trump-republicans-congress-irs-fund?icid=rss 59c9eb8a5528f7d2a1c9defa5017b72b Some congressional Republicans have pushed back at President Trump on a fund to pay people the justice department finds were wrongly prosecuted, among other issues. That resistance could make it harder for the president’s party to accomplish its priorities. Fri, 22 May 2026 13:25:00 -0400 Caitlin Babcock The GOP has been a pro-Israel party for decades. Is that changing? https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0522/republican-party-israel-aipac-favorability?icid=rss 33bf4d463fa9ae5b59ee3a8da0b5c5dc On the surface, Republican leaders remain staunchly pro-Israel. But a clear, generational shift is emerging, as younger conservatives have grown skeptical of U.S. aid to Israel and of Jewish political influence in the U.S. Fri, 22 May 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Simon Montlake Among Democrats, support for Israel is crumbling – with major implications https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0521/politics-israel-democrats-michigan-senate?icid=rss fb97b7e4bbe22bcb5b1ffcadf0dddefb An overwhelming majority of Democrats now view Israel negatively – a dramatic shift that is playing out in primary campaigns across the country. It could portend big changes in policy, should the party capture control of Congress. Thu, 21 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Simon Montlake Trump extends his grip on GOP in defeat of Kentucky’s Massie https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0520/massie-gallrein-trump-kentucky-primary?icid=rss 0cf9977a82683da80fe19bdf3c139323 As an outspoken critic of President Trump, Thomas Massie faced a closely watched primary contest – and has lost his seat to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein. It’s the latest in a string of election results showing the president’s hold on the Republican Party. Wed, 20 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Linda Feldmann Scott Baldauf How Marco Rubio morphed his way into Trump’s inner circle https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0518/rubio-trump-foreign-policy?icid=rss 4ae0dc33cec7f51521b08e5614ae6ca4 Marco Rubio has found ways to execute a Trump foreign policy that shows an evolution in his own positions. It has made him stand out among the president’s close advisers. Mon, 18 May 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Linda Feldmann Thomas Massie is a Trump nemesis on the right. Now, he could lose his seat in Congress. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0515/massie-trump-republican-primary-kentucky?icid=rss 7b0499f2e9236fdde4ac81a3f83fa58a Tuesday’s GOP primary in Kentucky pits President Donald Trump’s power and the pull of party unity against an independent-minded lawmaker with deep ties to his constituents. Fri, 15 May 2026 12:35:00 -0400 Sophie Hills Enforcement insider takes helm at ICE amid immigration controversy https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0513/david-venturella-ice-immigration-enforcement?icid=rss 768188e53349bcfae088dbd0b64641cd ICE veteran David Venturella will lead the nation’s main immigration enforcement agency. The move could continue a pivot toward quieter, targeted enforcement to reduce public backlash against immigration policy. Wed, 13 May 2026 15:25:32 -0400 Sarah Matusek In Louisiana primary, a senator-physician tries to survive Trump’s ire https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0513/louisiana-senate-primary-cassidy-trump?icid=rss 668ca1d42f2db18c341397dfde9c0048 GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy voted to convict Donald Trump in the 2021 impeachment trial and has pushed back on public health matters. His fate on Saturday will signal the clout of the Make America Healthy Again movement, as well as the president’s hold on his party. Wed, 13 May 2026 10:36:00 -0400 Story Hinckley Is primary season too late to redraw the maps? Not when Congress is up for grabs. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0513/gerrymandering-congressional-maps-midterms-louisiana?icid=rss a35bd02ebc084f80d17738ef239d8d5c Despite predictions that a court ruling would come too late to be actionable this election cycle, states are gerrymandering after the Louisiana v. Callais decision. Wed, 13 May 2026 05:00:22 -0400 Story Hinckley What are immigrant children’s rights to a public education? Pressure grows for restrictions. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0508/immigration-schools-supreme-court?icid=rss 4cf4b99d5ac2f21dff3975ec77506000 Calls are growing among some to overturn a Supreme Court decision that gave immigrant children access to public education. Fri, 08 May 2026 09:10:09 -0400 Sarah Matusek How the White House ballroom became emblematic of the Trump presidency https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0506/trump-ballroom-funding-security?icid=rss 438c28d826d6c407dcb31ce2c66433e2 Congress may now put $1 billion toward the ballroom project, which has so far been funded through private donations. It reflects President Donald Trump’s effort to leave a physical legacy as well as meet a genuine need. Wed, 06 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Linda Feldmann The Strait of Hormuz is still blocked. What’s the US military doing about it? https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0505/The-Strait-of-Hormuz-is-still-blocked.-What-s-the-US-military-doing-about-it?icid=rss f7c998fecea12ea15f63bb417b6fa291 Hundreds of cargo ships are still stuck in the Strait of Hormuz, despite a declaration from President Donald Trump that the U.S. military would help get traffic flowing again through the vital shipping lane. Both the U.S. and Iran claim to control the waterway. But the future of the strait remains uncertain. Tue, 05 May 2026 18:54:00 -0400 Victoria Hoffmann Caitlin Babcock US not giving ‘an inch’ on immigration arrests, says border czar https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0505/border-czar-immigration-deportations?icid=rss e28aebe83a043d6de76f48af452c0fde The U.S. border czar says that immigration enforcement and deportations will continue unabated. Tue, 05 May 2026 17:49:00 -0400 Sarah Matusek Abortion clash heats up at a politically fraught moment https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0504/abortion-mifepristone-supreme-court-midterms?icid=rss c578892f339ce2a2517b36c160e1c7cf Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade four years ago, abortions in the United States have actually increased, with the rise of abortion medication sent through the mail. Now, a nationwide ruling put the issue back before the Supreme Court – and on the campaign trail. Mon, 04 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Linda Feldmann