Early voting begins in midterms as campaign shifts focus to cost of living and Iran war – US politics live
Campaigning or control of Congress is expected to ramp up as some states open early voting Good morning, and welcome to our US politics live blog. The midterm elections are less than two months away, but some states begin early voting today, marking the start of a crucial stretch of campaigning for control of Congress. Virginia begins early in-person voting, while voters in Minnesota, Idaho and…
Midterm elections are less than two months away, and early voting in some states has begun, signaling a crucial period of campaigning for control of Congress. Early in-person voting has started in Virginia, while voters in Minnesota, Idaho, and South Dakota can cast absentee ballots in person. The focus of the campaign has shifted towards the cost of living and the ongoing war in Iran.
The Trump administration has authorized a potential sale of 48 advanced F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, valued at approximately $24.3 billion. The Department of State claims this sale will enhance Saudi Arabia's ability to counter present and future threats by bolstering its homeland defense. However, intelligence agencies have raised concerns that China may potentially gain access to or steal sensitive F-35 technology via Saudi Arabia, as reported by the New York Times.
A Pentagon report from months ago has questioned the ability of Americans and Saudis to secure F-35 technology sites, and raised concerns about Chinese military access to Saudi bases, as well as the widespread use of Chinese technology in Saudi telecommunications and defense installations.
Former staff members of the US Institute of Peace have petitioned a federal appeals court to prevent the Trump administration from engraving the president's name on the facade of their Washington headquarters, which was recently renamed the "Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace." The institute's ousted board members argue that this action would cause "irreparable harm" by undermining the organization's independent mission.
Similarly, another Washington cultural institution, the Kennedy Center, faces a court battle over modifications under Trump's presidency. A federal judge has mandated the Kennedy Center to provide a 30-day notice before implementing any major physical changes to the building, including demolition, due to Trump's threat to have it "ripped down." The center is currently closed due to safety concerns linked to age and structural deficiencies.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian US's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
