Politics: 5 stories from this week
Personalized for you.
On Politics
August 1, 2026

Here are some stories you might have missed this week, curated by Times editors and personalized for you.

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Kenny Holston/The New York Times

Why Mitch McConnell Isn’t Giving Up His Senate Seat

Democrats are demanding that the Kentucky Republican resign. Others who were sidelined for far longer faced no such calls, but times are changing.

By Carl Hulse

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Alex Kent/The New York Times

Congressional Memo

Defying Trump, Cornyn Uses His Lame-Duck Power

In standing in the way of Todd Blanche, President Trump’s choice for attorney general, a liberated Senator John Cornyn is wielding his leverage.

By Michael Gold

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Vesa Laitinen for The New York Times

Trump’s Fixation on Arctic Ships Led to Billions in No-Bid Contracts

The president decided to buy 11 polar icebreakers after a game of golf with Finland’s president. Experts say it’s far from clear the United States needs so many.

By Christopher Flavelle, Andrea Fuller and Nicholas Nehamas

Haley Stevens speaks as she raises her hands while in front of a wall of her campaign signs.

Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

How Haley Stevens’s Accent Became a Flashpoint in Michigan’s Senate Race

How the politics of raised a’s and disappearing g’s briefly came to dominate the Michigan Senate race.

By Matt Flegenheimer

A large white banner with green and red text and illustrations of a person and a hand stretches across a street. Several people walk underneath it, passing market stalls with food.

Arash Khamooshi/Polaris for The New York Times

News Analysis

In Iran, the U.S. Appears Headed for a Strategic Defeat, Allies Fear

With none of President Trump’s aims accomplished and the Strait of Hormuz closed, U.S. allies see dysfunction and vulnerability from the war.

By Steven Erlanger

MORE ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

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The New York Times

Latest Polls: Do Americans Approve of President Trump? →

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The New York Times

Tracking the Lawsuits Against Trump’s Agenda →

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