The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is accused of ordering agents to lie about who they are to get access to state voter lists and to create false proof of voter fraud before the midterm elections. Senators Chuck Schumer and Alex Padilla claim a whistleblower revealed these instructions and have asked DHS to stop these actions and provide an explanation.
Key Facts
DHS agents were reportedly told to "misrepresent themselves" to access voter rolls.
Agents were allegedly directed to break state laws to get private voter information.
The effort includes finding or inventing evidence of voter fraud.
Senators Schumer and Padilla publicly shared these claims citing a whistleblower’s information.
The allegations were made just weeks before the 2026 midterm elections.
DHS said it uses voter rolls and immigration data to investigate election fraud.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said it is actively pursuing election fraud cases under President Trump.
Senators have demanded DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin halt these alleged practices and explain the situation.
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President Donald Trump criticized a federal judge who blocked his administration’s plan to rename part of the Kennedy Center to include Trump’s name. The judge, Christopher Cooper, made the decision to stop the renaming, which led to President Trump calling him “hostile and conflicted.”
Key Facts
President Trump wanted to add his name to the Kennedy Center.
A federal judge, Christopher Cooper, stopped this plan.
Judge Cooper was appointed by former President Obama.
President Trump called Judge Cooper “hostile and conflicted.”
The judge’s ruling halted the renaming effort by the Trump administration.
President Trump has made similar criticisms of judges who oppose his actions before.
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Senator Bernie Sanders said that artificial intelligence (AI) could be more dangerous to humans than nuclear weapons. He plans to introduce a law to ban creating AI smarter than humans and to pause advanced AI development, with penalties including up to 20 years in prison for breaking the law.
Key Facts
Sanders considers AI's potential threat to humanity greater than nuclear weapons.
He will propose a bill to permanently ban superintelligent AI that could escape human control.
The bill aims to pause the development of advanced AI and sets a 20-year prison penalty for violations.
Sanders compares the penalties for illegal AI development to those for illegal nuclear weapons development.
Some Republicans and Democrats are increasingly concerned about the risks of AI.
Several AI experts and CEOs have called for slowing down AI development due to safety concerns.
President Donald Trump called worries about AI a "hoax" and said a strong president can handle the issue.
Sanders supports government regulating AI development and believes current tech leaders prioritize profit over safety.
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Attorney General Todd Blanche said there is no problem with a wedding gift given to President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., by a close friend who supports Russian President Vladimir Putin. Blanche shared this information during a press briefing at the White House.
Key Facts
Donald Trump Jr. received a wedding gift from a friend who is an ally of Vladimir Putin.
The gift was given around the time of Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding earlier this year.
Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed concerns about this gift.
Blanche said Donald Trump Jr. has described the giver as a very close friend.
Blanche made these remarks during a press briefing at the White House.
No legal or ethical issues regarding the gift were reported by Blanche.
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Attorney General Todd Blanche said Democrats are using concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) to influence the upcoming midterm elections. He supports President Donald Trump’s statement that worries about AI are a "hoax" and says the Justice Department will only investigate criminal acts involving AI, not regulate its development.
Key Facts
Attorney General Todd Blanche accused Democrats of timing AI concerns to affect midterm elections.
President Trump called warnings about AI dangers a "hoax" and opposed new government limits on AI.
Blanche said the Justice Department will investigate illegal acts involving AI using current laws.
Blanche stated the Justice Department’s role is to prosecute crimes, not regulate AI.
Senator Bernie Sanders plans to introduce a bill to ban the development of "superintelligent" AI.
Sanders and Representative Greg Casar want to slow AI development and add safeguards.
Democrats and independents have raised concerns about AI’s impact on jobs and national security.
Sanders suggested President Trump negotiate an AI development pause with China’s leader Xi Jinping.
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A cryptocurrency regulation bill called the Clarity Act did not pass a key vote in the Senate. The vote was 49-50, not reaching the 60 votes needed to continue discussing the bill.
Key Facts
The Clarity Act aimed to regulate cryptocurrency.
The Senate vote was 49 in favor and 50 against.
The bill needed 60 votes to move forward but fell short.
All Democrats and some Republicans voted against the bill.
This vote slowed down efforts to create clearer rules for crypto companies.
The cryptocurrency industry supports the bill to create regulations.
The vote was a setback for those wanting to regulate cryptocurrencies in the U.S.
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Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke at a White House press briefing about the Justice Department’s possible role in regulating artificial intelligence (AI) and ongoing legal issues related to mail-in voting. After his remarks, CBS News reporters provided additional information on these topics.
Key Facts
Attorney General Todd Blanche led a press briefing at the White House.
He discussed the Justice Department’s potential involvement in making rules for artificial intelligence (AI).
Blanche addressed legal battles around the use of mail-in voting.
The briefing included a question-and-answer session with reporters.
CBS News reporters Ed O'Keefe and Nicole Sganga followed with further explanations.
The briefing took place on a Tuesday.
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President Donald Trump’s pollster, Tony Fabrizio, gave Republicans advice on how to handle criticisms of AI data centers. He suggests candidates support data centers only if companies pay for their own power and protect local resources, instead of giving simple support without conditions.
Key Facts
Tony Fabrizio, President Trump’s pollster, wrote a memo with advice for Republican candidates on AI data centers.
He warns that openly supporting more data centers without conditions will be harmful politically.
Fabrizio suggests candidates should demand that tech companies fund their own power needs and protect local water and utility costs.
The memo provides a three-step script: acknowledge voter concerns, reject projects that hurt families or communities, and accept projects only with strict conditions.
Fabrizio’s polls find 61% of voters support data centers if there are conditions; only 28% support banning them outright.
Without conditions, 65% of voters oppose building more data centers.
President Trump continues to support data centers, calling them beneficial for wealth and states’ economies.
Fabrizio plays a key role in guiding the GOP’s political messaging for the upcoming elections.
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The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that the U.S. war in Iran has already cost about $38 billion. The CBO expects the monthly cost to increase by another $3 billion.
Key Facts
The Congressional Budget Office released its report on Tuesday.
The war in Iran has cost an estimated $38 billion so far.
Costs are expected to rise by $3 billion every month.
The report was covered by CBS News correspondent James LaPorta.
The report highlights ongoing financial impacts of the Iran conflict.
This information helps Congress understand the war's budget impact.
The report was made available through CBS News platforms.
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Pennsylvania has reported the death of an unvaccinated 18-year-old from measles complications, bringing the state's total measles-related deaths this year to four. The state is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in over 30 years, with hundreds of cases and many hospitalizations.
Key Facts
An 18-year-old unvaccinated person from Mifflin County died from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a severe brain and nerve complication caused by measles.
A 40-year-old unvaccinated woman from Jefferson County also died of measles-related causes.
Two infants in Lancaster County, too young to get vaccinated, previously died from measles complications.
Pennsylvania has reported 693 measles cases across 38 counties this year, with 133 hospitalizations.
The state’s health department uses thorough investigations to confirm measles-related deaths.
The current measles outbreak in Pennsylvania is the worst the state has seen in over 30 years.
Changes in CDC reporting methods and controversies around vaccine information have affected national measles death data.
The CDC reports nearly 3,300 measles cases nationwide this year, more than last year's record number.
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The Kennedy Center board has decided to close the main building right away to begin repairs. They say the center is at risk of running out of money soon and believe only President Donald Trump can help raise the funds needed.
Key Facts
The Kennedy Center board voted to close the main building immediately for renovations.
The closure is meant to address urgent repair needs.
Officials warn the center could face financial failure within weeks.
The board believes that only President Donald Trump has the ability to help raise enough money to save the center.
The decision came after discussions about the center's severe financial problems.
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A new poll shows Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico is ahead of Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton by three percentage points. The poll was released less than two months before the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
James Talarico is the Democratic candidate for the Texas Senate seat.
Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, is the Republican candidate.
The poll was conducted by Telemundo and Mason-Dixon Polling & Research.
Talarico leads Paxton by three points according to this recent survey.
The poll was released on a Tuesday, with less than two months until the midterm elections in November.
Talarico is currently a Texas state representative.
The race is for a Senate seat representing Texas.
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The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that the war with Iran has cost the United States at least $38 billion through July 2026. The conflict has raised inflation and used up many weapons, which will take years to replace, potentially weakening the U.S. military’s readiness for future fights.
Key Facts
The war began on February 28, 2026, with U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran.
The conflict has cost the U.S. at least $38 billion up to July 2026.
The CBO expects the war to add about half a percentage point to U.S. inflation early next year, partly due to higher energy prices.
U.S. missile and anti-air defense weapon stocks have been heavily used and are now very low.
It could take five years or more to rebuild the spent weapon supplies because missiles take a long time and many resources to produce.
The Pentagon did not share requested information with the CBO and declined to comment on the report.
Experts warn that low missile stocks could be dangerous if the U.S. faces another enemy with many missiles, like China.
The CBO report excludes damage repair costs to U.S. bases hit by Iranian attacks.
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Democratic Representative Stephen Lynch asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to help convince President Donald Trump to change his approach to regulating artificial intelligence (AI). Lynch said President Trump does not fully understand the challenges and risks related to AI.
Key Facts
Rep. Stephen Lynch represents Massachusetts and is a Democrat.
Lynch spoke during a House Financial Services Committee meeting.
Lynch urged Secretary Scott Bessent to influence President Trump’s AI regulation policies.
Lynch stated that President Trump lacks understanding of AI issues.
The discussion focused on how to regulate or manage AI technologies.
Treasury Secretary Bessent was present to answer questions from the committee.
The issue centers on the government’s role in overseeing AI development and use.
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Pennsylvania has reported a fourth person’s death linked to measles during its worst outbreak since 1992. The U.S. has seen over 3,300 measles cases in 2026, with vaccination rates dropping and changes in federal vaccine policy contributing to the spread.
Key Facts
Four people have died from measles-related illness in Pennsylvania in 2026.
The CDC does not include these deaths in the national count because of changes made under President Trump’s administration.
Pennsylvania has reported nearly 700 measles cases, centered in Lancaster and Mifflin counties.
Measles complications can cause serious health problems like pneumonia and brain inflammation.
The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) is about 97% effective at preventing measles.
Vaccination rates among young children have slowly declined in recent years.
U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who previously led an anti-vaccine group, has changed federal vaccine policies and made incorrect claims about the MMR vaccine.
Measles was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 but recent outbreaks put this status at risk.
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The Congressional Budget Office estimates the war with Iran has already cost the U.S. about $38 billion and could continue to cost $2 billion to $3 billion per month. Most of these costs come from replacing missiles and other military equipment used in the conflict.
Key Facts
The U.S. war with Iran has cost approximately $38 billion from February 28 to August 1.
The main cost driver is replacing missiles used both for attacks and for defense.
The U.S. used many interceptor missiles, which protect against incoming attacks, reducing the stockpile for future conflicts.
It will cost an estimated $21.7 billion to replace missiles used so far, including $7.3 billion for cruise missiles and $13.1 billion for missile interceptors.
Other equipment lost, such as a radar system costing around $500 million, adds about $1.9 billion to replacement costs.
The Pentagon and President Trump have said ammunition supplies are sufficient despite these estimates.
The monthly cost could rise if fighting intensifies, as seen in July when the cost was around $3 billion.
Congress is considering new funding requests, including $73 billion proposed by Republicans to support the war effort.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson held a ceremony to reveal the official portrait of Kevin McCarthy, the previous Speaker of the House. McCarthy was removed from his position in 2023, after which Patrick McHenry temporarily served as Speaker pro tempore.
Key Facts
Mike Johnson is the current Speaker of the House.
Kevin McCarthy was the Speaker before Johnson.
McCarthy was removed from his role in 2023, a historic event.
Patrick McHenry served briefly as Speaker pro tempore after McCarthy’s removal.
The portrait unveiling took place at the U.S. Capitol.
McCarthy had caused disagreement among Republican members by making deals with Democrats.
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A recent poll shows that most registered U.S. voters see President Trump as corrupt and dangerous, with fewer people describing him as steady or honest. The poll also found strong differences in opinion between Democrats, Republicans, and independents about the president’s qualities.
Key Facts
53% of voters called President Trump "corrupt" and 51% called him "dangerous" in a poll of 1,461 registered voters.
Only 14% of voters said President Trump is not divisive.
Democrats and 62% of independents said Trump was corrupt, compared to just 10% of Republicans.
Less than half of Republicans (49%) described Trump as honest, and 53% of Republicans had no opinion on whether he is steady.
President Trump promised a $5,000 payout to every adult if Republicans keep control of Congress, but many voters doubt he will deliver on this plan.
President Trump’s approval rating rose slightly to 35%, up from 33% in late August.
A White House spokesperson said President Trump is fighting fraud in the government and saving taxpayers money.
The poll was done by The Economist and YouGov from September 11-14, 2026, with a margin of error of ±3.3%.
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Senator Bernie Sanders held a rally in Washington, DC, urging the United States and China to work together to ban the development of superintelligent artificial intelligence (AI). The event focused on the need for new rules to control the fast growth of AI technology.
Key Facts
Bernie Sanders led a “pro-human” rally in Washington, DC.
The rally warned about potential dangers of advanced AI.
The goal was to push for policies that limit AI development.
Sanders called for cooperation between the US and China on this issue.
AI leaders such as Sam Altman (OpenAI) and Dario Amodei (Anthropic) will speak publicly about AI concerns.
This is the first public discussion by these AI heads since the debate about slowing AI development started.
The rally reflects growing attention to AI risks in US politics.
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A group that predicts election results, Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ), says that Republicans might not win more seats in Congress even though some GOP-controlled states changed voting boundaries. DDHQ forecasts that Democrats have a 68 percent chance of winning the House of Representatives in the November midterm elections.
Key Facts
Some states controlled by Republicans redrew congressional district maps recently.
Republicans hoped these new maps would help them win more seats in Congress.
Decision Desk HQ is a group that analyzes and predicts election outcomes.
DDHQ’s latest forecast gives Democrats a 68% chance to win the House of Representatives.
This forecast suggests Republicans may not gain seats despite redistricting efforts.
The prediction refers to the upcoming November midterm elections.
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