Senator Tim Scott defended Senator Darline Graham’s knowledge of national security after she said during a debate that she was "not that informed" on the topic. Graham, appointed to fill her late brother Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat, is facing a Republican primary runoff in South Carolina and has received support from President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
Darline Graham was appointed to the Senate seat in South Carolina after her brother Lindsey Graham passed away.
Graham said during a debate that she was "not that informed" on national security and called it "not my thing."
Tim Scott defended Graham’s qualifications and said she is prepared to serve in the Senate.
Graham has experience in public policy jobs in South Carolina but has never held elected office before.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Graham and campaigned for her in South Carolina.
Trump referred to her debate answer on national security as "very honest."
Graham is in a Republican primary runoff against Congressman Ralph Norman.
The topic of national security, including issues about Taiwan and the South China Sea, was part of the debate question Graham struggled with.
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Iryna Zarutska’s family is suing the city of Charlotte and a security company, saying they did not provide enough safety on the city’s light rail system. Zarutska was fatally stabbed on the train one year ago, and the lawsuit claims her death could have been prevented with better security measures.
Key Facts
Iryna Zarutska was killed on a Charlotte light rail train in an attack one year ago.
Her family filed a lawsuit against Charlotte city and the security company for failing to protect passengers.
The lawsuit says the city and the company knew about crime problems on the light rail but did not do enough to improve safety.
The family mentions inadequate fare enforcement, missing turnstiles, and low security staff as reasons for the unsafe conditions.
The family seeks money damages and hopes the lawsuit will lead to better security on Charlotte’s light rail system.
Decarlos Brown Jr. was charged with Zarutska’s killing but is currently found incompetent to stand trial due to mental illness.
Zarutska was a Ukrainian refugee who came to the U.S. seeking safety after fleeing war.
North Carolina passed “Iryna’s Law” in response, changing rules on violent crimes and bail for certain offenders.
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On the August 23, 2026 episode of "Face the Nation," Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari discussed the U.S. national debt reaching $40 trillion along with ongoing inflation and economic uncertainty. Guests also included Representative Byron Donalds after his primary win and Representative Seth Moulton, who is challenging an incumbent in Massachusetts.
Key Facts
The U.S. national debt has reached a record $40 trillion.
Inflation in the U.S. continues to be a problem.
Economic markets are experiencing uncertainty.
Neel Kashkari is the President and CEO of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve.
Rep. Byron Donalds recently won his primary election.
Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton is challenging a longtime incumbent in a primary.
The discussions appeared on CBS News’ program "Face the Nation" hosted by Margaret Brennan.
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Neel Kashkari, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, talked about the US national debt reaching $40 trillion, saying there is no immediate crisis. He explained that Treasury yields are currently high compared to recent years but similar to past decades, and many factors like inflation, government borrowing, and economic growth influence these yields.
Key Facts
The US national debt recently reached $40 trillion.
10-year Treasury yields are about 4.7%, high compared to recent years.
Treasury market is functioning without signs of serious problems.
Inflation outlook affects Treasury yields; the Federal Reserve aims to reduce inflation to 2%.
Other factors influencing yields include AI investments, government borrowing, and economic growth.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent intervened during a bond market sell-off, attributing it to misinformation among traders.
Different experts have varied views: some see higher bond yields as a sign of future growth, while others warn of possible economic shifts.
Kashkari emphasized the Federal Reserve focuses on inflation, leaving debt management to the Treasury Department.
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Texas Republican Representative Beth Van Duyne criticized Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico, saying his political views would harm Texas. She also called him aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a left-wing group, though Talarico has never been a member.
Key Facts
Beth Van Duyne is a Republican Representative from Texas.
James Talarico is running as a Democratic candidate for the Senate in Texas.
Van Duyne claimed Talarico supports policies that could negatively impact Texas.
She described Talarico as almost a "complete DSA candidate," linking him to the Democratic Socialists of America.
Talarico has not been a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
The comments were made during an interview on “The Hill Sunday.”
The debate highlights the political division in Texas politics ahead of the Senate race.
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Moises Arjona, Jr. says the government program SNAP should limit buying unhealthy foods to help reduce obesity and diabetes. This view comes even though a court decided against these kinds of limits.
Key Facts
SNAP is a government program that helps people buy food.
Moises Arjona, Jr. grew up using SNAP benefits.
He supports changing SNAP rules to block unhealthy food purchases.
The goal is to lower obesity and diabetes, which are rising health problems.
A federal court ruled that such restrictions should not be applied.
Despite the ruling, Arjona believes healthier food options should be encouraged through SNAP.
He shares this viewpoint based on his personal experience with food stamps.
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President Donald Trump attended the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an IndyCar race held on the streets of Washington DC to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday. He and First Lady Melania Trump drove a ceremonial lap as the new Air Force One flew overhead during the event.
Key Facts
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix is the first professional road race in Washington DC.
The race track is 1.7 miles long and features 147 laps totaling 250 miles.
Cars in the race can reach speeds up to 190 mph, much faster than the city’s usual 55 mph speed limit.
The race passes famous landmarks like the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol.
About 140,000 people are expected to attend, with many receiving free tickets through a lottery.
Premium tickets were selling for approximately $3,600 for two passes.
The event required special security measures, road closures, and airspace restrictions near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Earlier in the summer, President Trump also hosted a UFC event and a Fourth of July fireworks show as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations.
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House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries met with President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to talk about possible cooperation ahead of the November midterm elections. Some Democrats expressed surprise and concern because Kushner faces investigations over potential conflicts of interest involving his private business and foreign countries.
Key Facts
Hakeem Jeffries and Jared Kushner held a meeting reported by The New York Times.
The meeting happened months before the midterm elections, when Democrats hope to regain control of the House.
If Democrats win, Jeffries could become Speaker of the House.
Democrats plan to investigate President Trump’s administration, including financial matters concerning Kushner.
Kushner is being investigated for raising money from Gulf countries while serving in a government role.
Some Democrats criticized the meeting due to Kushner’s ongoing conflicts of interest.
Not all Democrats oppose working with President Trump or his associates; some prefer cooperation.
Responses varied, with some urging caution and others questioning the purpose of the meeting.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said that Medicare is projected to run out of money in seven years. He believes that reducing fraud and using more technology, like artificial intelligence (AI), can help save money and keep Medicare financially stable longer.
Key Facts
Medicare is expected to become insolvent in seven years, according to Medicare Trustees projections.
Dr. Mehmet Oz is the current administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
He spoke about Medicare’s challenges on the program "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan."
He highlighted that cutting down on Medicare fraud will help save money.
Increasing the use of technology, including AI, can also bring savings.
About half of doctors currently use artificial intelligence in their work.
These actions may help extend Medicare’s financial health and solvency.
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Natalie Harp, a close aide to President Donald Trump, posted more than 150 pro-Trump messages on social media during the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Her posts included repeating false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, and she has also expressed strong personal devotion to President Trump through private letters and public posts.
Key Facts
Natalie Harp posted over 150 pro-Trump messages on the day of the Capitol riot.
Her messages repeated claims that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump.
Harp has served as special assistant and executive assistant to President Trump with a $150,000 salary.
She opened a now-disabled social media account in 2016, where many of these posts were made.
Harp’s social media account was suspended, but the timing and reason are unclear.
Prior to January 6, she encouraged supporters with posts about the upcoming events and stressed "We will never give up."
Harp has written affectionate letters to President Trump, calling him her “Guardian and Protector.”
Her relationship with Trump has drawn media scrutiny and comments from political figures.
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President Donald Trump’s approval rating in Arizona is low, which may be hurting Republican candidate Andy Biggs in the upcoming governor’s race. Polls show Biggs trailing the current governor, Democrat Katie Hobbs, as many voters disapprove of Trump’s performance.
Key Facts
Andy Biggs is the Republican candidate for Arizona governor and is supported by President Trump.
Polls show Biggs behind Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs by about 6 percentage points.
A recent poll found 55.4% of Arizona voters disapprove of President Trump, while 43.4% approve.
Trump’s low approval rating may make it harder for Republican candidates like Biggs to win.
Katie Hobbs won her previous election narrowly and is currently favored for reelection.
Younger voters and urban residents tend to support Hobbs, while older and rural voters lean toward Biggs.
Both polls, from Quantus Insights and Noble Predictive Insights, show Hobbs leading Biggs by similar margins.
Independent and suburban voters in Arizona continue to switch their support, creating uncertainty in the race.
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Rep. Byron Donalds, Republican congressman and Florida governor candidate, spoke about health policies on "Face the Nation." He supports parents deciding on some vaccines and focusing on lowering health care costs through price transparency, while linking measles outbreaks to illegal immigration.
Key Facts
Byron Donalds is a Republican congressman from Florida and running for governor.
Florida has rolled back some vaccine mandates, giving parents more choice.
Donalds agrees with the current effort to reduce vaccine rules but wants more study before changing requirements for vaccines like polio and MMR.
He noted that President Trump expanded and spread out the vaccination schedule compared to earlier years.
Donalds says the Affordable Care Act has led to higher premiums and deductibles in Florida over 15 years.
His health care proposal includes requiring doctors and hospitals to post clear prices for top services so people know costs upfront.
He argues that measles outbreaks are linked to illegal immigration, citing cases in places like El Paso and Southwest Florida.
Donalds believes controlling health care costs is more important than vaccine mandates in Florida right now.
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, discussed recent drug price drops on a TV interview. He explained that new policies are making drug prices lower by matching U.S. costs to prices in other countries, which helps Americans afford medicines more easily.
Key Facts
Drug prices in the U.S. fell by 3.1% year-over-year as of July 2026.
This is the fastest drop in drug prices in 63 years and is expected to continue.
About one in three Americans leave the pharmacy without prescribed drugs because they are too expensive.
President Trump ordered the agency to make drug prices more similar to those in Europe and Asia.
The Most-Favored-Nation Drug Pricing rule means drug companies must charge U.S. consumers no more than what they charge in other countries.
Seventeen drug companies, representing 85% of the drug market, agreed to this pricing approach.
Medicare recipients are beginning to get access to these lower-priced drugs.
Programs like TrumpRx.gov are making cheaper medicines more available to the public.
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Bridget María Chesterton experienced postpartum psychosis, a rare but severe mental illness after childbirth, similar to the condition involved in Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial. Chesterton’s story highlights the challenges of this disorder and the importance of treatment and family support.
Key Facts
Postpartum psychosis affects about 1 to 2 in every 1,000 women after giving birth.
It is different from postpartum depression, which affects about 1 in 7 women.
Symptoms include confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, mood changes, and disorganized thinking.
Chesterton experienced severe symptoms two weeks after giving birth, including memory loss and strange statements.
Chesterton was hospitalized for about two weeks and treated successfully with medication and family support.
Mothers with postpartum psychosis may sometimes harm themselves or their children, but most do not.
People with mental health conditions like bipolar disorder have a higher risk, though Chesterton had no prior such condition.
Chesterton hopes sharing her story will raise awareness and reduce stigma about this mental health disorder.
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The United States Postal Service (USPS) has proposed new rules requiring states to provide voter information, like name and address, linked to a unique barcode for every mail-in ballot. These rules will not start until a court allows them, and the USPS will not deliver ballots from states that do not follow these rules.
Key Facts
The USPS wants states to send voter names and addresses for each mail-in ballot attached to a barcode.
States must enter this information into a federal system before ballots are mailed.
USPS would stop delivering ballots from states that don’t follow the new rules.
The new rules do not include information like birthdates or Social Security numbers.
USPS will not decide who can vote or count the ballots.
These rules are less strict than President Trump’s earlier proposals, which included citizenship checks and uniform ballots.
Exceptions for military, disabled voters, or those who are ill or traveling are not included in this rule.
The rule aims to help federal law enforcement track ballots sent by mail to enforce federal laws.
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Senator Chris Van Hollen said that supporters of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have a place in the Democratic Party. He believes the party should welcome debate and disagreements, even though he disagrees with some DSA ideas. This discussion comes as Democrats face tension between their moderate and progressive wings.
Key Facts
Senator Chris Van Hollen supports including DSA supporters in the Democratic Party debate.
Van Hollen would accept some DSA endorsements but is not actively seeking them.
The Democratic Party is experiencing a divide between moderate members and progressive, DSA-backed candidates.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently rejected the DSA agenda and some progressive policies like Medicare for All.
Van Hollen argues that avoiding debate on these issues risks ignoring voter mood.
Some DSA positions, like abolishing the Senate, are too extreme for Van Hollen.
Polls show policies linked to progressive ideas have notable support, but the DSA as an organization is viewed unfavorably by many Americans.
The debate over DSA’s role is important as Democrats try to find a winning message after losses in 2024.
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Texas Governor Greg Abbott has paused approvals for new data centers while the state reviews their impact on electricity, water, and local communities. The review aims to create new rules for data centers to protect resources and ensure community approval before projects proceed. President Donald Trump criticized the pause, saying communities that reject data centers miss out on economic benefits and lower taxes.
Key Facts
Governor Abbott says many data center projects started without community input, causing backlash.
Texas halted new data center approvals to review electricity and water use and community impacts.
Data centers use large amounts of power and water, raising concerns about environmental and neighborhood effects.
The state audit will check energy and water needs, cooling methods, tax incentives, and ownership details of data centers.
Less than 10% of Texas data centers fully reported their power and water usage as required by law.
Abbott’s office wants data centers to meet new standards to protect the power grid and water supply.
President Donald Trump called the pause a mistake, saying data centers bring money and lower taxes to communities.
Major tech companies like Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are expanding data centers to support AI and cloud services.
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Representative Seth Moulton, a Democrat from Massachusetts, is challenging Senator Ed Markey in the Democratic primary. Moulton says the political world has changed and argues for new leadership in the Democratic Party, criticizing long-time figures and current party strategies.
Key Facts
Seth Moulton is running against Senator Ed Markey in the Massachusetts Democratic primary.
The Boston Globe endorsed Moulton, switching from their previous support for Markey.
Moulton argues Markey’s campaign style and understanding of technology, like AI, are outdated.
Moulton has previously pushed for generational change in the Democratic Party and challenged party leaders like Nancy Pelosi.
He was an early critic of President Biden’s decision not to run again in 2024.
Moulton opposes Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and refuses to support him.
Markey accepted $62,000 from Schumer’s fund, which Moulton criticizes as taking money away from other key races.
Moulton also raised concerns about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and is working on helping Afghans left behind.
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Speaker Mike Johnson said he does not think Jared Kushner is directly involved in President Trump's administration after reports that Kushner met with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Johnson said Kushner has many interests and did not explain the meeting.
Key Facts
Speaker Mike Johnson is a Republican from Louisiana.
Jared Kushner is President Donald Trump’s son-in-law.
Kushner reportedly met with Hakeem Jeffries, a Democratic leader in the House of Representatives.
Johnson said he does not know the reason for the meeting.
Johnson stated Kushner is not directly involved in the Trump administration.
The meeting was discussed during a Fox News program called “The Sunday Briefing.”
Jeffries represents New York as a Democrat.
Johnson’s comments were made on a Sunday news show.
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Pete Buttigieg returned to South Carolina, the state that ended his 2020 presidential campaign, as he considers running for president in 2028. He received strong support at events in the state, which now leads off the 2028 Democratic primary elections to better represent diverse voters.
Key Facts
Pete Buttigieg came in fourth in South Carolina in the 2020 Democratic primary, leading him to end his presidential bid.
He is thinking about running for president again in 2028 but has not made a decision yet.
South Carolina will hold the first Democratic primary in 2028, followed by Nevada and other states.
The Democratic National Committee changed the primary calendar to start with South Carolina and Nevada to better include Black and Latino voters.
Buttigieg was welcomed warmly at an NAACP event and a Black church during his recent visit to South Carolina.
Polls show Buttigieg doing well among Democratic candidates for 2028 against some possible Republican opponents.
Other expected Democratic candidates include Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Jon Ossoff.
Buttigieg said he is mainly focused on the 2026 elections but is seen by some as preparing for a 2028 presidential run.
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