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. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 23:04:17 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 Iran stalemate drags on, US tries to tighten the economic vise https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0824/bessent-iran-sanctions-economic-d-day?icid=rss 51baa352118bde5ad51cce5a317f442f Iran is one of the most heavily sanctioned countries in the world. But the Trump administration hopes it can turn up the pressure even more, threatening nations that do business with Tehran. Mon, 24 Aug 2026 17:01:57 -0400 Caitlin Babcock Victoria Hoffmann Military’s arrest power at southern border grows. What’s behind the change? https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0822/national-defense-areas-military-arrests?icid=rss 66357a8808e8ba2400e078aea50f7c25 President Trump expanded the U.S. military’s role in immigration enforcement, and a new legal opinion gives the Pentagon greater arrest powers at the southern border. Sat, 22 Aug 2026 05:00:27 -0400 Sarah Matusek Anna Mulrine Grobe Is Washington awash in self-dealing? If Democrats win the House, oversight will rise. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0821/trump-ethics-house-democrats?icid=rss d490774b2b78b9d87008a18d98bfc16c President Donald Trump has asserted that “nobody” cares if he and his family are making big money during his presidency. But some voters in his own party say ethical standards have declined. And midterm elections might allow Democrats to put new scrutiny on the issue. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 05:00:16 -0400 Linda Feldmann At the Iowa State Fair, pork chops mix with presidential politics. Will that change? https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0821/iowa-state-fair-presidential-calendar?icid=rss 661de409ce30080aba2ba76337560611 The state fair in Des Moines has been a mainstay for generations of Iowans – and for White House hopefuls. But some worry its place in the pantheon of presidential politics might be waning. Fri, 21 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Sophie Hills FCC considers cuts to funds for internet access at schools and libraries https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0820/fcc-e-rate-libraries-schools?icid=rss 51086c1111bac2fa4578cd28577ae9e1 A program called E-Rate has helped expand public internet access for 30 years. As the Federal Communications Commission challenges whether the subsidies are still needed, schools and libraries say cuts could leave them with hard choices. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:44:00 -0400 Aaron Glantz Polling in primaries has always been sketchy. This year seems worse. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0820/political-polls-error-primaries?icid=rss 32d4a20f6b1faa134fb62f669e1ecc6f Polling misses have been common – and sometimes egregious – during the current primary season. This has a real impact on campaigns, as polls shape media coverage, affect fundraising, and give cues to candidates honing their positions. Thu, 20 Aug 2026 05:00:09 -0400 Simon Montlake ‘Big, beautiful bill’ was top GOP achievement. Now it’s campaign fodder for Democrats. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0818/trump-beautiful-blll-medicaid-taxes?icid=rss 87e734b61b1c0df98b944e4fde214b47 The Republicans’ signature 2025 legislation was expected to be a key campaign advantage, but public opinion and outcry over its cuts are turning it into a liability. Tue, 18 Aug 2026 05:00:09 -0400 Caitlin Babcock US government searches for migrant children as deportations mount https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0816/ice-immigration-trump-children?icid=rss 11b5ff6b84ff64c806cf41ee14ba4034 The U.S. government is looking for migrant children who arrived without guardians and were released to sponsors. Sun, 16 Aug 2026 05:00:10 -0400 Sarah Matusek Democrats’ socialist surge hits a roadblock in Wisconsin https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0812/hong-crowley-wisconsin-governor-primary?icid=rss 4ebde04813365b12d9b3350815d889fb Despite a messy gubernatorial primary in which multiple candidates dropped out, polling front-runner and democratic socialist Francesca Hong was edged out by center-left candidate David Crowley. Wed, 12 Aug 2026 09:02:00 -0400 Linda Feldmann Scrutiny of Rep. Max Miller adds to a trend in Congress https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0807/max-miller-republicans-midterm-elections?icid=rss 6c17413b89945416677ed3c88ee60a75 Lawmakers or candidates in both parties have faced allegations of sexual misconduct or domestic abuse. Some peers of Ohio’s Max Miller have called for him to resign his House seat. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 19:17:00 -0400 Sophie Hills In Utah canyons, a clash over federal lands – and the future of the West https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0807/utah-bears-ears-public-land-debate?icid=rss 013ca869adcaaca0ca94a47124cbabf4 The U.S. government is slashing two revered national monuments in Utah. What happens next could determine how vast public lands in the western U.S. are managed – or exploited. Fri, 07 Aug 2026 05:00:09 -0400 Story Hinckley Project 2025: As midterms near, Trump’s window for action might be closing https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0806/project-2025-trump-administration?icid=rss 32680681d6fe5b3ef8e2c336940aebbe The Trump administration has enacted many of Project 2025’s goals, but many await action ahead of midterms that could alter the balance of power in Washington. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:18:00 -0400 Victoria Hoffmann Why Lindsey Graham’s sister isn’t a lock to hold on to his Senate seat https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0806/darline-graham-senate-special-election?icid=rss 99cb5a8be4b1e862e20f0bda771305f3 President Donald Trump has endorsed South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham in next Tuesday’s special primary for the late senator’s seat. But she’s up against a crowded field that features more experienced candidates. Thu, 06 Aug 2026 05:00:09 -0400 Linda Feldmann Patrik Jonsson Progressive Democrats propel El-Sayed to Michigan Senate primary win https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0805/michigan-election-el-sayed-senate?icid=rss bf4a76e1a61ad01c0bdc09ab4384b4fd Abdul El-Sayed edged Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s Democratic primary for a Senate seat. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 13:44:00 -0400 Simon Montlake New Massachusetts law aims to thwart Trump’s deportation plans https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0805/massachusetts-immigration-healey-protect-act?icid=rss 8b5f2575e9577762d9fd469734c07344 Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed into law Wednesday a bill that immigration advocates say is one of the nation’s most expansive efforts to narrow state cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:25:10 -0400 Cameron Pugh Together, these Republicans and Democrats are vouching for election security https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0805/election-security-facts-political-violence?icid=rss 52e0b77cfae5efac85ad1a287ccec097 Republicans and Democrats in battleground states are collaborating to publicly counter unproven accusations about U.S. elections and improve voter trust. Wed, 05 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Caitlin Babcock On Blanche vote, Cornyn and Tillis say their holdout was about principle https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0804/blanche-cornyn-tillis-trump?icid=rss d618621a3d3a2e7d4635af1ce0517720 Two Republican senators voted yes on Todd Blanche's nomination to be attorney general after expressing concerns with the Trump administration's "anti-weaponization" fund. Tue, 04 Aug 2026 18:07:00 -0400 Caitlin Babcock Wisconsin governor’s race tests limits of Democrats’ leftward shift https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2026/0803/wisconsin-governor-race-democrat-hong?icid=rss 90e41e257ae91ff8a7cfe4c681ff5848 After years of Republican rule, Wisconsin Democrats are testing whether a democratic socialist is a viable candidate for governor in a swing state. Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:48:00 -0400 Simon Montlake War and peace: Ukraine’s ambassador in Washington joins our table https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/monitor_breakfast/2026/0731/ukraine-ambassador-olga-stefanishyna?icid=rss 70c78cb5ad64c06fafa24c61ea673805 Ukrainian Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna met reporters at a Monitor Breakfast, in the wake of a Trump-Zelenskyy White House meeting and headlines about Ukraine bombing an Iranian cargo ship in the Caspian Sea. Fri, 31 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Linda Feldmann Kyiv’s ambassador on how Ukraine revived vital ties with US https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/monitor_breakfast/2026/0730/ukraine-ambassador-stefanishyna-zelenskyy-trump?icid=rss 72cae27dc7877080c0bf4d5a1760c335 Outgoing Ukrainian Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna met with reporters for a Monitor Breakfast to discuss the war, Trump-Zelenskyy relations, and corruption charges facing herself and the government. Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:40:00 -0400 Howard LaFranchi