https://www.csmonitor.com Coverage of US politics from The Christian Science Monitor. en-us Christian Science Monitor. All rights reserved. Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:39:11 EDT 300 https://www.csmonitor.com/extension/csm_base/design/csm_design/images/csmlogo_250x30.png https://www.csmonitor.com https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0709/graham-platner-maine-senate?icid=rss aec5c20ff66709bb4b0839a1e17f7411 The collapse of Graham Platner’s Senate campaign in Maine has state Democrats wrestling with questions over candidate vetting and whether the next nominee should come from the party’s moderate or progressive wing. Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:00:40 -0400 Simon Montlake https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0707/trump-democrats-communists-socialists?icid=rss e49e6abf842d857f4d498779ef6d79fd Polls show younger voters are less fearful of socialism and more likely to question the benefits of capitalism as it relates to their lives. But while anti-communist rhetoric is red meat for the Republican base, it might not persuade many other voters. Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:28:00 -0400 Simon Montlake https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0703/united-states-250th-civic-engagement?icid=rss b71fe1b236b3c98afbd3b6c270dba1f1 Democracy requires civic engagement – and it can sometimes seem to be falling short. But the seeds of renewal are visible, from potluck dinners to youth programs. Fri, 03 Jul 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Patrik Jonsson https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0702/president-trump-air-force-one-qatar?icid=rss 560eb18ab16a49a5974abbca921f0f6c The first flight of the new Air Force One, controversially donated by Qatar, took President Donald Trump to North Dakota where he spoke about one of his predecessors, Teddy Roosevelt. Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:09:00 -0400 Caitlin Babcock https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0701/reflecting-pool-algae-trump-sabotage?icid=rss 3b832dfc0f0cc84ae1a61647fe5ea5ed As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th, a major topic in Washington isn’t the meaning of democracy but a shallow pool of water. Views on the Reflecting Pool, like many things, are shaped by politics. Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:35:00 -0400 Linda Feldmann https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0630/ai-congress-digital-safety?icid=rss a55f4ade49461d3e36f01a8ddce40969 Lawmakers want child AI protections but clashes on industry liability. The House’s KIDS Act omits that standard, potentially teeing up a Senate battle. Tue, 30 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Caitlin Babcock https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0629/texas-republicans-muslim-housing-community?icid=rss 904c0de7adff304523d17ddaa2361402 A battle is brewing in Texas over a Muslim housing development. Republican critics in the state say it creates a “no-go zone,” while supporters of the project say the concerns are unfounded. Mon, 29 Jun 2026 05:30:10 -0400 Simon Montlake Henry Gass https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0627/voting-rights-supreme-court-klan-resilience?icid=rss 43131e940f378b2951c9b8ebdf3eec99 It's been six decades since the Voting Rights Act was enacted. Today, as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the sacrifices of those who died for that landmark law are in question. Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:30:14 -0400 Gary Fields https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0625/democratic-socialists-new-york-congress?icid=rss 28d8308107d13b3903f3406f4c19697c Far-left wins in congressional primaries followed mayoral victories in major U.S. cities. Mainstream Democrats, struggling with voter dissatisfaction, are unhappy about the rising leftism. Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:00:15 -0400 Linda Feldmann https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2026/0623/snap-nutrition-maha-chicken-candy-soda?icid=rss 85c4786ba76971b29d4a093a894fe4a4 Both parties have been enacting state-level bans on using SNAP benefits for soda and candy. On Monday, a federal judge said the new rules violate federal laws governing the food program. Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:54:00 -0400 Story Hinckley https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0623/trump-iran-obama-israel?icid=rss 8f7339f2f7bb337d5399bab72e5918ea President Trump is trying to improve on the Obama-era Iran deal after failing to get a military victory. Tue, 23 Jun 2026 05:00:16 -0400 Simon Montlake https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0622/new-york-primary-democratic-socialists?icid=rss bcd2e3621cbdf8cb34a29b453927056f Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory last year has aided the rise of far-left challengers in this week’s U.S. House primaries. If they win, Brad Lander and democratic socialists Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier could affect Democratic Party stances on key issues in Congress. Mon, 22 Jun 2026 05:00:09 -0400 Aaron Short https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0617/obama-presidential-center-south-side?icid=rss 815d69dc5b6e736c7e90e87da1f114ef As the Obama Presidential Center opens its doors to the public this week, its vision of transforming a traditional presidential library into a modern community center will be put to the test. Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:27:06 -0400 Richard Mertens https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0617/ice-immigration-detention-delaney?icid=rss f2792a711d62a9f998e885ddd08257be There are growing complaints about conditions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities as funding swells. Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Sarah Matusek https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0616/trump-immigration-ice-elections?icid=rss 577999745f45d4ad90f7b026c23798ea Joe Ceballos, who twice led the tiny Kansas town of Coldwater, and voted in elections despite not being a U.S. citizen, is facing deportation. Tue, 16 Jun 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Sarah Matusek https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0613/spy-law-fisa-section-702-expire?icid=rss 96946e2fd78bd2a24a98e4e306c6cc25 At a time of heightened security risks, renewal of a prominent intelligence tool is caught in a standoff between Congress and President Donald Trump. Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:00:22 -0400 Caitlin Babcock https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0613/america-250-anniversary-ufc-cage-fight?icid=rss 23731e7ee3d86e492bc2eade3c118bd0 On Sunday, the White House will host mixed martial arts fights – one in a series of 250th anniversary events that so far haven’t generated broad excitement or unity. Some Americans are already seeing the U.S. semiquincentennial as a missed opportunity. Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Simon Montlake Caitlin Babcock Patrik Jonsson https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0610/artificial-intelligence-regulation-trump-congress?icid=rss 36019a032b8f3bc89ae80ef6cb9e2dc0 Artificial intelligence in the United States has so far been met with a largely hands-off regulatory approach. That approach is changing, raising questions about who sets and implements AI policy. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Caitlin Babcock https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0608/california-vote-count-governor-mayor?icid=rss 03eebe265b39b1069c0d17f151200045 Election officials chalk up the delay to the large number of ballots cast by mail, and the extra time it takes to verify them. But some experts say the slow count can further undermine trust in elections. Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:17:38 -0400 Sophie Hills https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0608/lindsey-graham-senate-primary-iran-war?icid=rss f1412b4d7ab08578e15d4965bc6254df The South Carolina Republican is a powerful incumbent. But his promotion of the Iran war appears to be taking a toll with voters, raising doubts about whether he’ll surpass the 50% needed to avoid a runoff in Tuesday’s GOP primary. Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Simon Montlake