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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) left the door open Sunday to either running for president in 2028 or challenging fellow New Yorker and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Why it matters: Ocasio-Cortez is emerging as a leading potential heir to the movement built by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and whichever path she chooses could reshape the future of Democratic politics. Driving the news: ABC's Jonathan Karl asked Ocasio-Cortez on "This Week" whether she would run for president, afte

LA CROSSE, Wis . — Progressive insurgents Francesca Hong and Abdul El-Sayed want to shake up the next race for the White House — a notion that will likely petrify many top Democrats. Why it matters: They aren't running for president — they're vying for statewide office this year in presidential battlegrounds, and their campaigns are closely watched tests of the Bernie Sanders–style populism they want their party to embrace in 2028 . It's a question that has haunted Democrats for a decade: Is Ame

A liberal group working to elect scientists to public office has a 2028 message for Arizona Sen. — and former astronaut — Mark Kelly : Run, Kelly, run. Why it matters: 314 Action Fund has raised its profile this cycle, elevating candidates with STEM backgrounds who've pitched themselves as a bulwark against public health cuts and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The organization said it raised more than $100 million over the past decade — including $25 million during the

President Trump signaled on Sunday that he's prepared to allow economic pressure on Iran to mount — as opposed to ordering a new military offensive — even as the country continues to defy the U.S. Why it matters: Only a week ago, Trump was on the verge of ordering a return to major combat operations. But in an interview with Axios, he did not make any new military threats. Trump also didn't express any anger or frustration about the fact that Iran has been holding up an announcement on a deal wi

When Mike Allen and I are curious about the " real economy ," we talk to sources at big-box stores for a read on real-time sales trends, or friends at super-regional banks to gauge the mood and money movement. To us, that's the real world and real data, imperfect but less imperfect than dated Bureau of Labor Statistics surveys built for a different time and economy. Why it matters: Fed Chair Kevin Warsh will get scrutinized like hell for rate changes, his communication style, his vow of a "new c

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is urging leading AI CEOs to pause AI development, warning that lawmakers will step in if no action is taken. Why it matters: Sanders is upping the ante on the AI industry ahead of the elections, building on his progressive playbook that is shaping how some candidates message around the issue. What they're saying: "Mr. Altman, Mr. Amodei and Mr. Zuckerberg: In the interest of humanity, stand by your words. Pause AI development. It is not too late to avoid disaster. St

White House staff secretary Will Scharf will take over as White House counsel on Sept. 1, President Trump announced Sunday. Why it matters: Scharf begins his job just two months before the midterms, when a possible Democratic House could put him at the center of fights over subpoenas, testimony and executive privilege. The big picture: Scharf is the latest of Trump's former personal lawyers to land a powerful legal job in the administration. Todd Blanche, another former Trump lawyer, was confirm

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg released a full-throated defense of AI on Monday morning: a 6,500-word manifesto arguing that the most common concerns are overblown and fail to account for all the positives it can achieve. In his vision of AI , the biggest risk instead is that one government or entity has too much power over the technology. Why it matters: Zuckerberg's flag in the ground, with a utopian vision of a highly personal AI that fuels individual achievement, comes as policymakers debate how m

Something big has shifted for all of us. I noticed it last week, while preparing for our Axios board meeting. First, there was a discussion around six-month horizons. And I kept thinking: This is pure fantasy — it's impossible to envision our company and our world even a few months from now. Second, we're having an amazing year. Yet I felt compelled to offer the board a gut check unthinkable even a year ago: Yes, we're crushing it, but that could all change in a month. Truth is, for the first ti

Federal Reserve chairman Kevin Warsh is attempting a high-wire act: He's trying to fundamentally rethink the central bank's approach to guiding the economy, while also using its standard policy toolkit to bring down stubbornly persistent inflation. A market blowup late last month showed the perils of trying both at the same time. The big picture: Markets sold off and the economic commentariat was sharply critical of a Warsh press conference on July 29, in which he was vague about the possibility

Rep. Max Miller appeared to let a crucial Saturday withdrawal cutoff pass in Ohio's 7th Congressional District, effectively closing Republicans' last practical window to replace the embattled incumbent on the November ballot. Why it matters: A district that favors Republicans has suddenly become a potential Democratic pickup as the GOP fights to preserve its narrow House majority, and Ohio law gave party leaders no room to replace Miller without his cooperation. The latest: Miller's campaign spo

The Senate passed a stopgap spending bill early Saturday that would keep the government funded through Dec. 11, moving Washington closer to avoiding another shutdown before the November midterms. Why it matters: The bipartisan 90-6 vote would push the next government funding deadline past Election Day while offering some checks on the Trump administration. State of play: The measure, which now goes to the House, generally maintains funding levels after the fiscal year ends Sept. 30, with a few n

Nothing has improved my work and life more than my new operating philosophy: Simplify . I've seen such a dramatic improvement at Axios, and in my personal life, that I co-wrote a new book explaining step by step how it works. It's called " Simplify : Do 50% More with 50% Less." Why it matters: Axios co-founders Jim VandeHei, Roy Schwartz and I dig deep into real-world experience and science to show you why most people waste years of their lives doing needless stuff out of habit or inertia. You'l

The slightest hint of generative AI usage is fast becoming a kiss of death in creative circles. Why it matters: It's turning into a purity test that has the potential to blow up careers and derail massive deals almost overnight — and there's no desire for nuance or ability to clear your name. Whether you choose disclosure or denial, both can fail to protect you in a climate where using a chatbot as a tool to guide one's thought process is viewed the same as generating creative work wholesale. Dr

Synagogues across the U.S. are having congregants train to be volunteer security teams as antisemitic assaults hit record levels and Jewish gathering places face increasing threats. Driving the news: The front doorways of many synagogues are becoming both a place of welcome and a security checkpoint — a sign of how antisemitism is reshaping Jewish life in America. The traditional practice of hiring a guard for High Holy Days services, installing cameras and calling police if something happens, i

The Senate voted to confirm Todd Blanche as the next attorney general early Saturday, capping a tumultuous path to office for President Trump's former personal attorney. The big picture: Blanche's appointment is a win for the Trump administration, especially after a journey that saw some Republicans hold out at multiple stages of the process. At one point Trump threatened to keep him as acting attorney general for months, after two GOP senators withheld their votes to advance him from the Senate

The Trump administration has launched a new effort to remove Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook , notifying her that President Trump is considering her removal and giving her 21 days to respond to mortgage fraud allegations in a letter obtained by Axios. Why it matters: The Supreme Court this year blocked Trump's first attempt to remove Cook, finding that the Fed official was not given notice or a chance to respond. The new letter seeks to satisfy those requirements in what remains an unprecedented

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics ; Chart: Courtenay Brown/Axios America's labor market appeared to be gaining momentum this spring. The latest data makes that rebound look much less convincing. Why it matters: The report isn't as bad as the headline suggests, but the broader picture is still one of a labor market that is less robust than it seemed. If the trend continues, U.S. workers might find themselves squeezed on two fronts — a weakening job market and high inflation from an uncertain geopo

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) announced Friday that he will vote for Todd Blanche's for attorney general , boosting his prospects for confirmation before the Senate leaves for its August recess. Why it matters: Cassidy's vote keeps Blanche's nomination alive despite previous opposition from Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). Given the continued absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Blanche could afford to lose only two GOP votes if Democrats do as expected and vote along

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will vote against Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general , becoming the second known Republican to oppose him. Why it matters: Murkowski's opposition puts Blanche's confirmation in jeopardy . With Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) still absent from the Senate, Blanche cannot afford to lose any more GOP support. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) has already announced her opposition , and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) has yet to announce his position. What they are saying:

Read the polls, watch economic indicators and talk to President Trump's inner circle in private, and the verdict on his second term seems clear: Even some longtime insiders fear he's trapped by a war he shouldn't have waged, tariffs he shouldn't have levied, monuments he shouldn't be obsessed with. Why it matters: These three topics chew up much of Trump's time and attention. All three are widely unpopular in polls. And it's almost impossible to see the public suddenly warming to war, tariffs or

Republicans plan to use their first-ever midterm convention in Dallas next month to mount a sweeping, made-for-prime-time case that Democrats have become captive to their activist left, Axios has learned. Why it matters: With President Trump's approval rating in the 30s and his war in Iran weighing on the economy, Republicans don't want the Nov. 3 midterms to be just a referendum on his presidency. They're essentially planning a "But they're worse" campaign targeting the ascendant Democratic lef

Data: NCSL ; Map: Sara Wise/Axios Americans across the country could have very different experiences with AI deepfakes leading up to Election Day , thanks to a patchwork of state rules. Why it matters: AI-generated attack ads and campaign content are rampant leading up to the midterms as candidates across the political spectrum use the technology. State of play: Twenty-nine states have AI election deepfake laws in effect, while two others — California and Hawaii — have had their laws permanently

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is waging an unprecedented economic war on Cuba — and wants to make sure the island's communist leaders know it's going to get worse. "What we're trying to teach them is there are no escape valves," Rubio told Axios. Why it matters: Cuba's economy is in a state of slow-motion collapse because of crushing U.S. sanctions and communist mismanagement of the island, which prides itself as the hemisphere's chief foe of the superpower 90 miles to its north. President Trum

Denounced on social media and by fellow Republicans, Ohio Rep. Max Miller is telling allies he's not quitting for a simple reason: It would be tantamount to admitting he beat his ex-wife and their child, which he denies. Why it matters: The Washington summer scandal is a case study in whether Miller — one of Donald Trump's understudies — can successfully employ the president's playbook of never backing down and never quitting. Trump has publicly expressed sympathy for Miller but privately expres

Senate Republicans are racing toward the August recess with a legislative to-do list worthy of a Joe Rogan podcast: crypto, college sports and hemp. Why it matters: They likely won't get to all of it, but the White House wants the Senate to get caught trying. First, senators want to get way ahead of any government shutdown fight. Just as important — an NIL rights bill, with ESPN's first College GameDay set for Sept. 5. "I've kind of stacked these things: funding the government, the [Todd] Blanch

Suspected Iran-linked cyberattacks are exposing long-standing vulnerabilities in fragmented U.S. drinking water systems facing aging infrastructure and intensifying climate threats. Why it matters: Drinking water systems disruptions can threaten public health and essential services, while many utilities—especially smaller ones—lack the staff and resources to strengthen their defenses.. Kevin Morley, federal relations manager for the American Water Works Association (AWWA), tells Axios utilities

The author of the Democratic National Committee's 2024 election "autopsy" confirmed an Axios report that he concluded the war in Gaza hurt Kamala Harris politically — and that he'd privately shared that assessment with a pro-Palestinian group. He said he drafted that finding late last year but never submitted it to party leadership . Why it matters: Democrats have spent months debating whether the Biden administration's support for Israel during its war on Hamas contributed to Harris ' defeat. M

A Senate panel voted Thursday to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt for repeatedly declining to answer questions last week from lawmakers investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. Why it matters: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has said he will refer the contempt resolution to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution. That could set up a legal clash, since former President Biden preemptively pardoned Fauci before leaving office. The big picture: The 8-5 vote by the Senate Homeland Securit

A Stanford-led research team has used generative AI to design a synthetic virus — the first time artificial intelligence has been harnessed to create an organism that has never been seen in nature. Why it matters: What could go wrong? The big picture: It could be the first step toward the nightmare scenario AI experts have already warned about: deadly pathogens that can't be stopped, because they've been created too quickly for our current surveillance systems to stop them. The research could al

The FCC on Thursday voted 2-1 to eliminate the national TV ownership cap rule that bars a single broadcaster from owning stations that reach more than 39% of U.S. TV households. Why it matters : The party-line vote clears the way for local broadcasters to merge, giving single broadcast ownership groups far more reach than they previously could have. FCC chairman Brendan Carr has long argued that the cap was outdated and limits the ability of broadcasters to consolidate to compete with tech firms

President Trump signed two executive orders Thursday seeking to narrow birthright citizenship in several circumstances and intensify the federal crackdown on commercial "birth tourism." Trump also is seeking to deny birthright citizenship for children born of some foreign diplomatic staff in the U.S. and, potentially, U.S. territories in the future. Why it matters: It's Trump's second attempt to curb birthright citizenship in the U.S. and is sure to be challenged in court as a violation of the 1

Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was discharged from a rehab facility and has returned home amid his lengthy absence from Congress, he said in a statement released Thursday by his office. The big picture: The 84-year-old lawmaker was hospitalized in June and has not been seen in public since, outside of images released by his office. The mystery of McConnell's continued absence has fueled questions about his capacity to serve the remainder of his term, which ends in January 2027. Driving the news: "

The years-long saga of prosecuting the Jan. 6 attack effectively came to an end this week, when a judge dismissed a remaining indictment against Oath Keepers members already freed by President Trump . The big picture: Not only has Trump erased the legal consequences for many Jan. 6 defendants, but his administration has moved to rewrite the history of a deadly day — and oust federal employees who worked on related cases. Driving the news: Judges in recent weeks disposed of the final two cases ac

President Trump on Thursday publicly defended Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth , and said reporting suggesting any friction between the two was "treasonous." Why it matters: The Washington Pos t and others reported this week that Trump had reached his limits with Hegseth over the state of the country's weapons stockpile and the impact on the war with Iran . What they're saying: "The Fake News, as usual, is spreading false and completely unfounded rumors. I am extremely happy with the job that Pete

A legal cat-and-mouse game has played out over whether the president can use various obscure, untested provisions to impose tariffs. Now, Congress appears on track to give him a big, new — and explicit — tariff authority. Why it matters: A bill on Russia sanctions, named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham , has received overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate and would allow President Trump and future presidents to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major importers of Russian energy. If enacted

Reproduced from AP ; Chart: Axios Visuals Greater shares of Americans now say that extreme heat has affected various parts of day-to-day life compared to just two years ago. Why it matters: The findings , from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, suggest that people are increasingly aware of extreme heat's impact on their health, budgets, travel plans and more. By the numbers: 90% of Americans now say that extreme heat has had at least a minor impact on their lives broadly, up from 83

Top AI architects say their technology has arrived at a threshold once confined to science fiction: the singularity, or the moment machines begin accelerating their own evolution. Why it matters: If these moguls are right, we may be entering the most consequential technological transition in human history — the opening stages of an " intelligence explosion " that transforms civilization faster than humanity can understand or control. Driving the news: Google jolted the tech world Wednesday by an