President-elect Donald Trump revealed what candidates for Senate Majority Leader will have to do if they hope to gain his endorsement.
Trump released a statement on X on Sunday where he claimed that any candidate seeking the position must agree to recess appointments so that his appointments can be approved in a “timely manner.”
“Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner. Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more,” Trump wrote to his followers.
Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner. Sometimes the votes can take two years, or more. This is…
He added, “This is what they did four years ago, and we cannot let it happen again. We need positions filled IMMEDIATELY! Additionally, no Judges should be approved during this period of time because the Democrats are looking to ram through their Judges as the Republicans fight over Leadership. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THANK YOU!”
Recess appointments sidestep the Senate’s confirmation process and could be used to temporarily install unpopular or unqualified nominees.
Florida Senator Rick Scott responded to Trump’s request just minutes later via X, where he vowed to push through his nominee’s “as quickly as possible.”
100% agree. I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible. https://t.co/GlrHx2zJXh
Could Donald Trump’s second White House administration include family members after all?
Ivanka Trump, the former President’s oldest daughter, signaled a willingness to return to politics if her father wins another term in the White House.
Puck’s Tara Palmeri reported, citing someone familiar with the matter, that the former president’s daughter, who served in his first administration, is “warming to the idea of trying to be helpful” again. The source told Palmeri that Ivanka Trump is “privately not ruling out having some sort of role.”
“She’s not like ‘Hell no’ anymore,” the person said.
Ivanka Trump served as an advisor in her father’s administration but announced in 2022 that she was leaving politics behind even though her father is running again. Other Trump family members have also made similar statements regarding future roles in the White House.
“This time around, I am choosing to prioritize my young children and the private life we are creating as a family. I do not plan to be involved in politics,” she said at the time.
Palmeri reported that Ivanka Trump has been advised to wait to make a full dive back onto the Trump team until the GOP convention this summer.
A spokesperson for the couple said in a statement that both are still committed to being in the private sector currently.
“As they’ve both repeatedly stated, Ivanka and Jared continue to focus on their family and lives in the private sector and do not intend to go back to politics,” the spokesperson said.
Ivanka Trump’s husband, Jared Kushner, also served as a senior advisor in Trump’s administration, helping to negotiate the historic Abraham Accords.
Casa Rosada (Argentina Presidency of the Nation), CC BY 2.5 AR via Wikimedia Commons
In a recent interview with MSNBC’s Inside with Jen Psaki, Newsom described Vance as “dangerous,” arguing that the former Ohio senator poses a more calculated political threat than the president himself.
“Vance, for whatever reason, scares me, almost more than Trump,” the Democratic governor said. “Talk about a guy who put a mask on and his face grew into it.”
Newsom accused both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio of abandoning earlier criticisms of Trump after joining his administration. But he singled out the vice president as uniquely concerning.
“JD is a unique fraud and phony, and he’s a little more dangerous,” Newsom said.
A Warning Shot Toward 2028
The remarks amount to more than a passing critique. They reflect the early contours of what could become a defining political rivalry ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Newsom is widely viewed as a leading Democratic contender should he enter the race. The two-term California governor has built a national profile as one of the party’s most visible counterweights to Trump-era Republicanism, frequently clashing with GOP governors and positioning California as a policy and cultural foil to red-state leadership.
At the same time, Vance has emerged as a potential heir to Trump’s political movement. As vice president, he has solidified his standing with the Republican base while cultivating relationships with conservative intellectuals and populist activists. Many analysts see him as a plausible frontrunner in a post-Trump GOP primary, particularly if he successfully fuses Trump-style populism with a more disciplined, ideologically coherent message.
Newsom’s comments suggest Democrats are already thinking beyond Trump himself and preparing for what they view as a more strategic successor.
Concerns About a Third Term and Election Security
During the interview, recorded a day after Trump’s State of the Union address, Newsom also expressed alarm over Trump’s public musings about seeking a third term — an idea that would face significant constitutional barriers.
The governor issued what he called a “code red” about the state of American democracy and election security, warning Democrats not to lose focus amid the daily churn of political controversy.
“My fear is we get so easily distracted and they’re so effective on the other side,” Newsom said. “We must continue to be mindful, laser-focused on what’s in front of us every single day until the job is done.”
His framing underscores a broader Democratic argument that the stakes of the next election cycle extend beyond standard partisan disagreements.
Newsom’s Evolving Political Strategy
Newsom’s sharpened rhetoric toward Vance also comes at a moment when the California governor has been experimenting with his own messaging style — at times attempting to adopt elements of Trump’s direct, combative approach.
In recent months, Newsom has leaned more heavily into punchy social media posts, culture-war skirmishes, and headline-grabbing soundbites aimed at energizing Democratic voters. He has sparred publicly with Republican governors, amplified confrontations over education and immigration policy, and positioned himself as a national foil to conservative leadership.
Some of those efforts, however, have drawn criticism from both Republicans and members of his own party. Detractors argue that mimicking Trump’s confrontational style risks undercutting Newsom’s attempts to present himself as a stabilizing alternative. In several instances, attempts at sharp-edged messaging have backfired, generating backlash for the California Governor.
A Glimpse of the Next Political Chapter
By identifying Vance — rather than Trump — as the Republican who most concerns him, Newsom may be signaling where he believes the long-term battle lies.
Trump remains the dominant force in Republican politics, but Vance represents a new generation of conservative leadership that blends populist rhetoric with ideological ambition. For Democrats preparing for 2028, the prospect of facing a candidate who inherits Trump’s base while refining its message could be a formidable test.
For now, both men are focused on their current roles — Newsom governing the nation’s largest state and Vance serving as vice president. But as early positioning for the next presidential cycle accelerates, Newsom’s warning suggests he sees the Republican field not as a one-man show, but as a movement with staying power.
And in that movement, he appears to believe JD Vance may be the most consequential figure of all.
The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) has reportedly scrubbed prominent references to President Donald Trump and his “America First” agenda from her campaign homepage as she fights for political survival in a rare Republican-versus-Republican election.
The makeover comes after Trump-centered messaging helped define Kim’s campaign during the primary — and as she now competes for Democrats, independents and moderate voters against fellow GOP Rep. Ken Calvert.
During the June primary, Kim’s campaign homepage reportedly presented her as a “Proven Fighter who will Stand with President Trump to deliver a bold America First Agenda.”
Another prominent message promised “America First Leadership to Defend the American Dream,” according to an archived copy of the website.
Neither message currently appears on the homepage.
Instead, Kim’s revamped campaign website now declares that she is “taking on Career Politicians to Restore the American Dream.” A second message simply describes her as “Fighting for the American Dream.”
The apparent shift is not limited to the website.
Campaign signs Kim promoted before the primary identified her as a “Trump Republican.” Signs highlighted by her campaign after the primary instead feature a pocketbook-focused message: “Cut Taxes & Lower Costs!”
Thank you to the dedicated volunteers and all the elected officials who came out for our Campaign Office Grand Opening! I am ready to continue to fight for the America First Agenda and bring new leadership to Washington! pic.twitter.com/314yTdYche
Kim’s campaign insists the makeover is not an attempt to put space between the congresswoman and Trump.
Spokesman Chris Pack called that interpretation “completely absurd,” pointing Politico toward recent social media posts in which Kim mentioned the president, including a birthday message.
Trump has not vanished from the campaign website altogether. Kim’s longer biography continues to bill her as a “Proven America First Fighter” and says she fights to ensure Trump has allies in Congress.
“Our campaign has consistently framed this race as a choice between an effective leader like Young Kim, who has delivered results in less than three terms in Congress, and Ken Calvert, whose career has been plagued by corruption controversies and FBI investigations,” Pack told Politico.
The spokesman added that the campaign has Trump-themed signs ready to distribute once local rules allow them to be displayed.
Two Republicans, One House Seat
Kim and Calvert landed in the same race after California voters approved Proposition 50 and redrew the state’s congressional map. Calvert currently represents the 41st District, while Kim represents the 40th.
Both advanced from California’s all-party primary, setting up an unusual general election in which voters will choose between two sitting Republican members of Congress.
That result means the November winner may need support from voters who backed one of the six eliminated candidates — including Democrats — giving both Republicans a reason to adjust their messages beyond the GOP base.
The fight has already turned intensely personal. Each campaign has accused the other candidate of being insufficiently conservative or insufficiently loyal to Trump.
Calvert’s campaign has branded Kim a “RINO” and resurfaced a past remark in which she reportedly said she wanted to “whip” Trump’s “butt.” Kim’s campaign, meanwhile, attacked Calvert over decades-old reports involving a prostitute and accused him of “sabotaging Trump.”
Now, as the two incumbents compete for the same seat, Kim’s disappearing homepage references are fueling fresh questions about which version of her campaign she believes can win in November.
President Donald Trump has privately expressed growing frustration with Attorney General Pam Bondi in recent weeks, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Monday, fueling renewed speculation about whether she could become the first Cabinet official replaced in his second term.
The Journal reported that Trump has complained repeatedly to aides that Bondi has been “weak” and “ineffective” in carrying out his priorities at the Department of Justice. While Trump has continued to praise Bondi publicly, people familiar with internal discussions say his criticism behind the scenes has intensified as he presses the department to move more aggressively on investigations tied to his political and legal grievances.
Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and longtime Trump ally, has been viewed by many inside and outside the administration as politically aligned with the president’s worldview and loyal to his agenda. Her close relationship with Trump dates back more than a decade, including her role as a prominent defender during his first impeachment and her work supporting his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. That history has made Trump’s apparent dissatisfaction all the more striking.
One recent flashpoint came with Bondi’s handling of materials related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Bondi had publicly suggested that relevant files were “on her desk,” raising expectations among Trump’s supporters that long-sought disclosures were imminent. When the Justice Department later released binders that critics said contained largely irrelevant or already public information, backlash quickly spread across conservative media and among grassroots MAGA activists. The episode contributed to perceptions among some Trump allies that Bondi had overpromised and underdelivered.
Trump’s frustrations, according to the Journal, are part of a broader effort to pressure the Justice Department to act more forcefully against figures he views as responsible for years of investigations into his conduct. The report noted that Trump has discussed appointing special counsels as a way to bypass what he sees as slow-moving or resistant leadership at DOJ. Chief among his complaints is Bondi’s failure, in his view, to pursue criminal cases against individuals such as former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Those grievances are not new. Last September, Trump inadvertently posted to Truth Social a message that appeared to be intended as a private communication to Bondi. Addressed to “Pam,” the post urged her to pursue legal action against Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff, and James, whom Trump accused of wrongdoing. “They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done,” Trump wrote, adding that delays were damaging the administration’s “reputation and credibility.” The post was later deleted, and reporting indicated it had been meant as a direct message rather than a public statement.
Despite his private complaints, Trump has continued to defend Bondi in public. In a statement included in the Journal’s report, Trump said, “Pam is doing an excellent job. She has been my friend for many years. Tremendous progress is being made against radical left lunatics who are good at only one thing, cheating in elections and the crimes they commit.”
Still, some of Trump’s closest allies say patience among his supporters is wearing thin. Steve Bannon, a longtime adviser and influential voice in conservative media, told the Journal that Bondi is “bleeding support from her and President Trump’s most loyal troops.” “Folks are desperate for action and just haven’t seen it,” Bannon said.
Trump’s dissatisfaction with his attorney general also fits a familiar pattern. During his first term, he frequently clashed with then–Attorney General Jeff Sessions, publicly criticizing him for recusing himself from the Russia investigation and accusing him of failing to use the Justice Department to defend the president. Trump has long bristled at institutional constraints within DOJ, arguing that they have been selectively enforced against him and his allies.
For now, there is no indication that Trump has made a final decision about Bondi’s future.
White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The vice president offered to buy the heckler a plane ticket to Mexico after the troublemaker interrupted his address at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
Vice President JD Vance drew one of the loudest reactions of the Republican midterm convention Thursday after responding to a protester who interrupted his speech while waving a Mexican flag.
The disruption occurred roughly 15 minutes into Vance’s address in Dallas as he discussed what he called Americans’ “birthright” to safe communities, affordable homes, strong families, and economic opportunity.
Vance stopped speaking as the protester, dressed in a purple shirt, waved the flag and shouted from the audience. Other attendees booed and began chanting “USA” as security personnel moved toward the demonstrator.
“What the people at home missed is that we just had a protester interrupting us and waving the Mexican flag,” Vance told the crowd.
“Well, my friend, if you love Mexico so much, get your ass over there,” he continued. “I’ll buy you the plane ticket.”
The crowd erupted in cheers before resuming its “USA” chant. The protester was escorted out of the convention.
Vance continued addressing the incident after security removed the demonstrator, telling the audience that the interruption had prompted him to change his prepared remarks.
“I had a whole speech written, but I think I got to change it because we just discovered the symbol of the far left, an idiot waving an American fla— or a Mexican flag at a protest when he should be waving the flag of the United States of America,” Vance said.
He then argued that the protester would prefer living in an American city to moving to Mexico.
“Now, we all know, of course, that as much as that person might wave around a foreign flag, he’d much rather live in Dallas or in Cincinnati or in any one of our great cities than Mexico,” Vance said.
The brief confrontation became the most prominent unscripted moment of the vice president’s address and drew wider attention than many of the policy arguments contained in the speech.
The official broadcast did not clearly show the protester, but videos recorded inside the arena captured portions of the disruption and the crowd’s response.
Speech centered on family and national identity
Vance’s speech focused heavily on family formation, economic security, immigration, education, crime, and American national identity.
The vice president said every American child should inherit the benefits of citizenship regardless of the identity or background of his or her parents.
“I believe that our founders built this nation on a promise that echoes our creator, that every American child is born an heir, is born with a birthright, born with the right to inherit the blessings of the greatest country on earth, not because of who their parents are, not because of what they look like or where they come from, but because they are Americans, and this is our country,” Vance said.
The address also included a personal tribute to Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist assassinated one year earlier. Vance described Kirk as a close friend, praised his commitment to family life, and addressed remarks to Kirk’s young children.
Vance connected that discussion to the recent birth of his fourth child with second lady Usha Vance. He said becoming a father again had sharpened his focus on what the administration should deliver for American families.
The vice president called for schools that emphasize reading, writing, arithmetic, and patriotism. He also cited public safety, employment, housing costs, religious liberty, and parental authority as central concerns heading into the November midterm elections.
Republicans urged to remain united
Vance used the second half of the address to contrast the Trump administration’s record with Democratic policies and to encourage Republicans to remain engaged even when they disagree with the White House.
He pointed to Kirk as an example of a conservative who remained active in Republican politics despite holding differences with the administration, particularly over foreign military involvement.
“I’m not asking anybody to agree with me on every single issue,” Vance said. “What I am asking you to do is to recognize the contrast with the radicals and recognize the achievements of the last 18 months.”
The vice president also criticized several Democratic candidates by name, including Texas Senate nominee James Talarico and Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. His broader argument was that the midterms represented a contest over family, immigration, economic policy, and national culture.
At one point, attendees again chanted Vance’s name, prompting him to deflect speculation about his political future.
“We gotta take care of business this November, then we’ll worry about what comes next,” Vance said.
The remark came as Vance continues to be discussed as a possible contender for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination. He did not announce a campaign or directly address whether he intends to run.
Convention turns toward November
Vance spoke on the second and final day of the Dallas gathering, which brought together Republican officials, candidates, activists, and voters ahead of the November elections.
President Donald Trump later closed the convention after delivering a much longer address the previous day. Speakers repeatedly warned that Democratic control of Congress could halt the administration’s agenda and expose administration officials to investigations.
For Vance, the protester’s interruption offered an unexpected opportunity to reinforce the patriotic and immigration themes running through his speech. His promise of a plane ticket lasted only seconds, but the audience’s response made it one of the convention’s defining moments.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will announce on Friday Lt. Governor Jon Husted as his pick to fill the Senate vacancy left by Vice President-elect JD Vance ahead of his inauguration on Monday, according to Fox News.
The announcement will be made at approximately 1 p.m.
Vance gave the Senate notice of his forthcoming resignation on Jan. 9, which became official on the following day. He officially resigned 10 days prior to his and President-elect Trump’s swearing in.
“To the people of Ohio, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the privilege of representing you in the United States Senate. When I was elected to this office, I promised to never forget where I came from, and I’ve made sure to live by that promise every single day,” Vance said in a statement.
After Vance’s resignation, new Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) said in his own statement, “Ohio couldn’t be prouder of JD Vance! He has served our country with great honor, first in the Marines, then in the US Senate, and now as our 50th Vice President! I’m extremely thankful to JD for his early and unwavering support. A truly amazing journey for an outstanding guy!”
Once the new senator is sworn in, Republicans will officially have a 53-vote majority.
President Donald J. Trump hosts a Rose Garden Club dinner in honor of Police Week in the White House Rose Garden, Monday, May 11, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)
President Donald Trump’s political muscle was on full display Monday in Michigan.
Just hours after Trump issued a full-throated endorsement of Republican gubernatorial candidate Rep. John James, one of James’ top primary rivals suspended his campaign and fell in line behind the president’s choice.
“It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Congressman, John James, who is running to become the next Governor of the Beautiful State of Michigan!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “John James has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of Michigan — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”
The endorsement landed like a political thunderbolt in a Republican primary where Trump’s backing was widely viewed as the single most valuable prize.
James quickly celebrated the endorsement, calling Trump “the greatest President of my lifetime.”
Then came the shockwave.
Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, who had been running against James for the GOP nomination, abruptly suspended his campaign and endorsed James.
“This campaign has always been about the people of Michigan and standing with President Trump to defeat the Democrats in November,” Nesbitt said. “Today, I am suspending my campaign and proudly joining President Trump in endorsing John James as Michigan’s next Governor.”
“A divided primary only helps Democrats. It’s time to unite,” he added.
James wasted no time framing the move as proof of Trump’s influence.
“When President Trump endorsed this campaign, Aric Nesbitt did exactly what a true Michigan CONSERVATIVE should do,” James wrote on X. “He united behind the President and our mission to Save Michigan from the Libs and the RINOs destroying our Republic!”
The rapid surrender underscores a political reality Republicans have understood for years: in many GOP primaries, Trump’s endorsement can instantly reshape the field.
The Michigan governor’s race had been viewed as one of the nation’s most important Republican contests heading into 2026. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited, creating an open-seat battle that Republicans believe offers a major pickup opportunity.
Trump’s endorsement carried even more weight because Michigan Republican voters have consistently indicated they place enormous value on the president’s recommendations. Prior polling found overwhelming majorities of GOP primary voters saying they would be more likely to support a Trump-endorsed candidate.
Not everyone was impressed.
Businessman Perry Johnson, another Republican candidate still in the race, blasted Trump’s decision.
“President Trump received bad advice yet again,” Johnson said. “John James is a two-time statewide loser, and Michigan has already seen this movie before.”
Johnson pointed to James’ unsuccessful U.S. Senate bids in 2018 and 2020, arguing Republicans need a different nominee to win statewide.
Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox also declined to step aside.
“Like @POTUS, I’ve won Michigan twice by building a coalition of working Michiganders who are sick of being screwed by the elites,” Cox wrote on X, adding that he looks forward to becoming “President Trump’s favorite Governor when I win.”
The endorsement marks a notable shift for Trump.
Last year, Trump publicly questioned whether James should leave Congress to run for governor, expressing concerns that Republicans could lose his competitive House seat and weaken the GOP majority in Washington.
Those concerns appear to have been put aside.
With Trump’s backing now secured and one major rival already gone, James enters the next phase of the race as the clear Republican frontrunner.
And if Monday was any indication, Trump’s endorsement may have effectively ended the primary before most voters even cast a ballot.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Utah Senator Mitt Romney is not running for re-election.
The longtime Trump critic unveiled the surprising announcement in a statement taking jabs at President Joe Biden as well as Donald Trump.
“I have spent my last 25 years in public service of one kind or another. At the end of another term, I’d be in my mid-eighties. Frankly, it’s time for a new generation of leaders. They’re the ones that need to make the decisions that will shape the world they will be living in,” Romney said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.
“We face critical challenges—mounting national debt, climate change, and the ambitious authoritarians of Russia and China. Neither President Biden nor former President Trump are leading their party to confront them.
“On the deficits and debt, both men refuse to address entitlements even though they represent two thirds of federal spending. Donald Trump calls global warming a hoax and President Biden offers feel-good solutions that will make no difference to the global climate.”
“While I’m not running for re-election, I’m not retiring from the fight. I’ll be your United States Senator until January 2025. I will keep working on these and other issues and I will advance our state’s numerous priorities. I look forward to working with you and with folks across our state and nation in that endeavor,” Romney said.
Kari Lake speaking with supporters at a "Stand for Freedom" rally at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. [Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons]
Kari Lake snagged a key endorsement from a top Republican senator nearly a week after announcing her campaign for Senate.
On Monday, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso’s endorsement comes after Lake formally launched her bid for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s (I-Ariz.) seat.
“Kari Lake will shine brightly for Arizona. She is a generational communicator who is giving voice to Arizona citizens,” Barrasso said in a statement.
“Joe Biden’s policies have crushed Arizona. Arizonans are dealing with record inflation – up 20 percent under the Biden administration. Arizona is also on the front lines of the worst illegal immigration crisis in American history. Nearly 8 million illegal immigrants under Biden, equal to the population of Arizona,” he continued. “The U.S. Senate needs a Senator from Arizona that understands these issues, and will fight hard to solve them.”
Lake thanked Barrasso in a statement, saying, “I am honored by the friendship and endorsement of Senator Barrasso.”
“He is a tested and proven conservative leader who I greatly admire. I look forward to working with Senator Barrasso to get America back on track and fire Chuck Schumer,” she added.
Sen. Barrasso’s endorsement is significant considering some Senator’s hesitation over Lake’s Senate campaign over past comments on election fraud and her links to former President Trump.
According to The Hill, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.), chairman of the Senate GOP campaign arm, has said that he’s had “productive conversations with Kari Lake and her team.”
