President Donald Trump issued new executive orders to limit birthright citizenship, which grants automatic U.S. citizenship to most babies born in the country. Several rights groups have filed a lawsuit challenging these orders, arguing that they conflict with the U.S. Constitution and a recent Supreme Court decision that blocked Trump’s earlier efforts.
Key Facts
President Trump signed two new executive orders targeting birthright citizenship and "birth tourism."
Birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Rights groups including the ACLU filed a lawsuit in New Hampshire to stop the new orders.
The Supreme Court rejected Trump’s previous attempt to end birthright citizenship in a 6-3 ruling.
Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the 14th Amendment protects citizenship for "every free-born person" in the U.S.
Trump’s administration claims the 14th Amendment was originally meant only for children of freed slaves, not all born in the country.
One Supreme Court justice, Brett Kavanaugh, previously disagreed with the court’s majority ruling.
The lawsuit challenges whether the executive branch can change citizenship rules without Congress.
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President Donald Trump claimed that children receive vaccine doses as large as a bottle of soda, suggesting vaccines should be given in smaller amounts over time. Medical experts say this description is inaccurate because the total volume of vaccines children receive is much smaller, about a couple of tablespoons over many years.
Key Facts
President Trump said children get a vaccine dose "the size of a bottle of soda" during an executive order signing on childhood immunizations.
His order proposes splitting the combined MMR vaccine into separate shots and changes how some vaccines are recommended.
Experts say children actually get about two teaspoons of vaccines in early childhood and only a couple of tablespoons total through adolescence, much less than a soda bottle (12 ounces).
The total number of immune system triggers (antigens) in vaccines is around 160-170, much fewer than in typical infections like ear infections or strep throat.
Medical officials emphasize vaccines protect against preventable diseases and stress the importance of immunization during resurgences of diseases like measles.
The U.S. is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in over 30 years.
Pediatricians and public health groups worry that separating vaccines could lead to more injections and lower vaccination rates.
The White House states the changes aim to give parents more choice and align U.S. vaccine practices with other developed countries.
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The murder trial of Lindsay Clancy is ongoing, with recent testimony focusing on the mental health care she received after giving birth. Healthcare workers who treated her postpartum mental health issues have returned to the courtroom to provide information.
Key Facts
Lindsay Clancy is on trial for murder.
The trial is currently looking at her mental health treatment after childbirth.
Healthcare professionals who treated her postpartum are testifying.
Postpartum mental health refers to emotional and psychological challenges some women face after having a baby.
The testimony aims to shed light on Clancy’s mental state during the time in question.
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The Justice Department’s legal office said that President Trump can use executive privilege to keep communications with private advisers secret if those talks are about official presidential decisions and stay confidential. This ruling could make it harder for Democrats in Congress to get information by subpoenaing people outside the government if they win elections.
Key Facts
Executive privilege protects some communications between President Trump and private advisers.
The privilege applies if the talks relate to official presidential decision-making and remain private.
Democrats may try to subpoena companies, colleges, and private citizens to get information.
The legal opinion could help the Trump administration block some congressional investigations.
Some legal experts doubt courts will accept this broad use of executive privilege.
The Justice Department said this view on privilege goes back to at least 2007.
President Trump's connections extend beyond government to business, media, and family.
New Justice Department leadership and White House counsel may influence future privilege disputes.
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The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on November 3 about whether Colorado can require Catholic preschools to accept children of same-sex couples in order to get public money. This case could change how religious rights are protected under the law.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court will hold oral arguments on November 3.
The case involves Colorado’s rule for Catholic preschools to enroll children of same-sex couples.
The preschools receive public funding that may be tied to this enrollment rule.
The court’s decision could change a major legal precedent about religion.
The case focuses on the balance between public funding rules and religious freedom.
The justices have agreed to review this important case.
It could impact religious institutions nationwide that receive government funds.
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President Donald Trump announced that former U.S. Marine Robert Gilman was released from Russian custody and is returning to the United States. Gilman had been detained in Russia since 2022 and his release followed talks between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Key Facts
Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine from Massachusetts, was held in Russia since 2022.
Russian authorities accused Gilman of assaulting a police officer on a train, but his family denied the intent.
Gilman’s sentence was extended to 10 years due to additional convictions related to alleged assaults on prison staff.
Before his release, Gilman suffered from serious health issues, including severe pneumonia and a state described as a "dissociative stupor."
The U.S. State Department worked on Gilman’s release, pressing Russia on humanitarian grounds.
Gilman was flown back to the U.S. on a State Department plane and will receive medical care in Texas.
President Trump said no prisoner exchange was made and highlighted this as part of his administration’s efforts to bring detained Americans home.
Upon arrival, Gilman requested a cheeseburger, which President Trump promised to provide.
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President Donald Trump signed an order changing recommendations for childhood vaccines, such as reducing the number of diseases children are federally recommended to be vaccinated against and separating combined vaccines into individual shots. Many states, especially those led by Democrats, already use vaccine guidance from sources other than the federal CDC and may resist these new rules.
Key Facts
President Trump signed an executive order on childhood vaccines that changes federal vaccine recommendations.
The order reduces the number of diseases children are federally recommended to be vaccinated against.
The combined MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) would be split into separate shots once available.
The order suggests giving vaccines on separate medical visits when possible.
At least 30 states and jurisdictions rely on vaccine guidance from sources other than the CDC.
26 states plus Washington, D.C. use alternative vaccine guidance for all childhood vaccines.
States led by Democrats are more likely to use non-federal vaccine recommendations than Republican-led states.
Some state health departments say their vaccine schedules will remain based on trusted medical organizations and scientific research.
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A new Pew Research Center survey shows that political division in the U.S. is stronger than ever, with presidents receiving far less support from the opposing party than in past decades. President Donald Trump’s approval rating is highly polarized, with most Republicans supporting him and very few Democrats approving.
Key Facts
Political division in presidential approval is the widest in over 70 years, since President Eisenhower’s time.
President Trump’s approval rating in July was 34%, lower than earlier points in his term.
Trump’s approval is about 84% among Republicans but only 6% among Democrats.
The biggest partisan approval gap before Trump was during his own first term (80 points).
Other presidents like Barack Obama and Joe Biden also experienced large partisan divides, but smaller than Trump’s current gap.
In the 1950s and 1960s, presidents like Eisenhower and Kennedy had more support from the opposite party (nearly 50% approval).
The political divide has been growing since the 1970s and is now wider than during Reagan’s administration.
Experts attribute the increasing divide to deeper polarization of both political parties and the American voters.
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Wisconsin state Rep. Francesca Hong is the leading candidate in the Democratic primary for governor, holding a 22-point lead over Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in the final poll. Hong’s campaign focuses on making life more affordable through policies like expanded child care and higher taxes on the wealthy, while Crowley highlights his government experience and has the endorsement of outgoing Governor Tony Evers.
Key Facts
Francesca Hong leads the Democratic primary with 44% support; David Crowley has 22%.
The poll surveyed 1,473 likely Democratic voters with a 2.3% margin of error.
Hong leads in all 10 Wisconsin regions included in the poll, with her strongest lead in Dane County.
Hong’s supporters show higher commitment to voting for her compared to other candidates’ supporters.
Prediction markets give Hong about a 95% chance to win the nomination.
Crowley has the endorsement of outgoing Governor Tony Evers.
The primary will decide the Democratic nominee to run against Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany in November.
Hong is a democratic socialist who emphasizes affordability and higher taxes on wealthy people and companies.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has ordered the justice secretary to stop the early release of the killers of PC Andrew Harper, who died in 2019. The government’s early release scheme aims to reduce overcrowding in prisons but faced criticism for possibly freeing these offenders early.
Key Facts
PC Andrew Harper was killed in 2019 while on duty.
Two of his killers, Jessie Cole and Albert Bowers, were jailed for 13 years for manslaughter in 2020.
They may become eligible for early release under a new government scheme to ease prison overcrowding.
The early release plan allows some prisoners to be released after serving one third to half of their sentence instead of longer terms.
Prime Minister Burnham initially said nothing more could be done without risking prison collapse.
After public pressure, Burnham is now confident their early release can be blocked.
The government plans to present new rules to Parliament in September.
Over 1,000 people are currently in prison for manslaughter in England and Wales.
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A report says that President Donald Trump secretly changed airplanes while leaving a NATO meeting in Turkey last month. This swap was done because of a possible threat from Iran.
Key Facts
The plane swap happened as President Trump was leaving the NATO summit in Turkey.
The swap was reportedly secret and involved Air Force One, the president’s official plane.
The reason for the swap was a possible security threat from Iran.
The story was reported by the Washington Post.
The news was discussed on a BBC podcast called Newscast.
The podcast episode included conversations about U.S. politics and the upcoming mid-term elections.
The Newscast is available on smart speakers and online.
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July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded in the contiguous United States, according to government data. At the same time, Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the country, has reached its lowest water level on record.
Key Facts
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported July 2026 as the hottest month on record in the contiguous U.S.
Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the U.S., is at its lowest water level ever measured.
Rising temperatures and water shortages are connected concerns in many parts of the country.
Experts like Tracy Wholf, who focuses on environmental policy, are discussing the impact of these changes.
These records show ongoing challenges related to climate and water supply in the United States.
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Peggy Flanagan and Angie Craig are competing in Minnesota’s Democratic Senate primary. The race highlights a contest between progressive and moderate views within the Democratic Party.
Key Facts
Peggy Flanagan is known as a progressive candidate.
Angie Craig is considered a moderate candidate.
Both are running in the Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota.
The primary is seen as a test of different visions for the Democratic Party’s direction.
CBS News reporter Jonah Kaplan interviewed the two leading candidates.
The outcome will influence who represents Minnesota Democrats in the Senate race.
The event is part of the broader political process ahead of the general election.
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President Donald Trump secretly changed planes after Iran threatened him with missile attacks. Retired Army Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster commented on this security issue and shared his views on recent events in the Middle East.
Key Facts
President Trump switched planes in secret following a missile threat from Iran.
The missile threat was directed at President Trump.
H.R. McMaster is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general.
McMaster gave his opinion on the security threat linked to the plane change.
He also discussed recent developments in the Middle East.
This information was reported by CBS News.
The plane swap was part of security measures to protect the president.
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President Donald Trump secretly left a NATO summit in Turkey on a different military plane than the one shown to the public. This was done because of a threat from Iran to harm him, according to a report by The Washington Post.
Key Facts
The event took place after last month's NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
President Trump flew on an alternate military aircraft instead of Air Force One.
The White House created the impression that Trump was on Air Force One.
Journalists and some White House staff thought they were on the same plane as the president.
The secret operation was done to protect Trump from an Iranian assassination threat.
The information came from U.S. officials and other sources cited by The Washington Post.
The Associated Press has not yet confirmed this report independently.
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President Donald Trump is renovating the White House East Wing, including building a large ballroom and an underground bunker. The project is expensive and controversial because it has not received official approval from Congress, leading to a legal battle.
Key Facts
The East Wing renovation covers about 90,000 square feet.
The ballroom will take up 22,000 square feet.
A six-story underground bunker is being constructed beneath the ballroom.
The project cost is estimated around $400 million.
Some funds have come from government agencies like the Secret Service.
There has been little information about who received the construction contracts.
A court ruled that the president must get Congress’s permission before making these changes.
President Trump plans to appeal the case to the Supreme Court.
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Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito earned between $390,000 and $2.9 million from oil and gas-related assets since 2005. He holds mineral rights to a property in Oklahoma linked to fossil fuel income, which raises questions about potential conflicts of interest as the Court prepares to hear a case involving oil companies.
Key Facts
Justice Alito’s fossil fuel interests increased in value from 2005 to 2024, growing from about $1.1 million to between $3.4 million and $8.4 million.
Most oil and gas earnings came from a mineral interest on land in Grady County, Oklahoma, held by Alito’s wife.
Alito’s reported income from this land included rental payments between $100,000 and $1 million in some years.
The land was leased to a private oil and gas company in 2022, which was later acquired by a larger energy firm connected to a hedge fund.
There is no public record of oil wells drilled on the land, but lease agreements state the owners would receive a share of any oil profits.
Court watchdog groups have called for Alito to recuse himself from cases involving fossil fuels due to these financial ties.
Supreme Court rules do not require recusal since Alito does not hold assets in the companies named in the current lawsuit (Suncor and ExxonMobil).
The Court will hear arguments on a case about whether governments can sue fossil fuel companies over climate change on October 5, 2024.
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The Hill is providing two hours of live coverage on August 11, focusing on primary elections in several states. This includes races in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont, Connecticut, a special GOP Senate primary in South Carolina, and a special congressional primary in Alabama.
Key Facts
The coverage runs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time on August 11.
States covered include Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont, and Connecticut.
A special Republican Senate primary is taking place in South Carolina.
This Senate race is to replace the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
Alabama is holding a special congressional primary on the same day.
The Hill is tracking and analyzing the real-time results as they come in.
These are part of the 2026 primary elections.
The coverage aims to provide detailed insights into the results and their implications.
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House Judiciary Democrats have started an investigation into why U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro filed and then dropped felony vandalism charges against David Hearn, a former Olympian, related to damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The inquiry aims to understand the reasoning behind the charges and their dismissal.
Key Facts
House Judiciary Democrats launched a probe on Tuesday.
The investigation focuses on charges against David Hearn, a former Olympian.
Hearn faced felony vandalism charges linked to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro initially filed these charges.
The charges were later voluntarily dismissed.
The probe questions why Pirro brought what is described as a flawed case.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is a national landmark in Washington, D.C.
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