Early Morning Political News: 4‑Minute Read
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Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Federal Level
Trump Team Asks Supreme Court to Revive Mail Ballot Order
The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Monday to reinstate an executive order imposing sweeping new restrictions on mail-in voting, two days after a federal appeals court kept the order blocked. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued the injunction improperly interferes with an order meant to promote election integrity ahead of November’s midterms. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled that the Constitution grants states, not the president, authority over election administration. Twenty-three Democratic-led states are challenging the order, while twelve Republican-led states have joined the federal government’s appeal. 1
Senate Advances Clayton’s Bid to Lead Intelligence Agencies
The Senate voted 51-43 along party lines Monday evening to advance Jay Clayton’s nomination as Director of National Intelligence, setting up a final confirmation vote Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised Clayton’s record as a former U.S. attorney and Securities and Exchange Commission chairman. Democrats, including Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, said they turned against the nomination after Clayton would not directly affirm that Joe Biden won the 2020 election during his confirmation hearing. Clayton would replace acting Director William Pulte, who has led a series of layoffs at the intelligence office. 2
Trump Holds Campaign-Style Rally at Michigan GM Plant
President Trump delivered a campaign-style speech Monday at the General Motors Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan, touting the economy and touring the facility with GM executives Mary Barra and Mark Reuss. The visit came eight days before Michigan’s Aug. 4 primary and featured remarks from Republican candidates John James, running for governor, and Mike Rogers, running for Senate, both of whom Trump has endorsed. Trump claimed the auto industry and inflation had improved under his tariffs, though state labor data shows Michigan lost roughly 4,000 auto parts manufacturing jobs over the past year. 3
Twenty-Plus States Sue Over FEMA Election Funding Threat
More than 20 states filed suit Monday against FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security, arguing the agencies are illegally conditioning billions in counterterrorism and disaster funding on states changing their election systems and assisting immigration enforcement. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson said his state’s counterterrorism grant money, which funds bomb squads and hurricane response, could not become “a bargaining chip.” Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones said the conditions would force states to devote law enforcement resources to help DHS with immigration enforcement. The suit, filed in Rhode Island, argues the conditions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution’s Spending Clause. 4, 5
State Level
Wisconsin’s Chaotic Democratic Governor Primary Begins Voting
Early in-person voting began Monday in Wisconsin’s crowded Democratic primary for governor, a race Democrats hope will help them win full control of state government for the first time since 2010. Five candidates, including democratic socialist Francesca Hong and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, are competing ahead of the Aug. 11 primary. A judge is also weighing a Democratic Party lawsuit seeking to let voters cancel more than 100,000 already-returned mail ballots after two candidates dropped out and one, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, re-entered the race. 6
Florida Judge Keeps GOP’s Fishback on Governor Ballot
A Leon County judge ruled Monday that Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback may remain on Florida’s August primary ballot, rejecting a challenge from rival Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins. Collins had argued that Fishback failed to meet the state’s seven-year residency requirement, pointing to mortgage and voting records tied to a Washington, D.C., condo. Fishback testified that the property was a lightly used investment near his parents and that Florida remained his true home. The ruling clears the way for Fishback to continue campaigning in the crowded Republican primary. 7
South Dakota Holds First-Ever Governor Primary Runoff
South Dakota Republicans headed to the polls Tuesday in the state’s first-ever gubernatorial primary runoff, choosing between Gov. Larry Rhoden and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden. Neither candidate reached the 35 percent threshold needed to win outright in the June 2 four-way primary, triggering the runoff under a 1985 state law. The winner will face Democrat Dan Ahlers, a former state legislator, in the Nov. 3 general election. Rhoden became governor in 2025 after Kristi Noem resigned to join the Trump administration. 8
North Carolina Lawmakers Return to Weigh Carry Bill Override
The North Carolina General Assembly reconvened Monday and is expected to consider overriding Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of Senate Bill 50, which would eliminate the state’s permit requirement for concealed handgun carry. The bill previously passed with Senate Republican support sufficient for an override, but it has remained stalled amid uncertain vote counts in the House. Republicans hold a supermajority in the Senate but need a small number of Democratic votes in the House to complete the override. 9
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Article Sources
1. The Providence Journal / IJPR, “Administration asks US Supreme Court to uphold sweeping Trump order restricting vote-by-mail,” July 27, 2026.
https://www.ijpr.org/law-and-justice/2026-07-27/administration-asks-us-supreme-court-to-uphold-sweeping-trump-order-restricting-vote-by-mail
2. The Washington Times, “Senate advances Jay Clayton’s nomination for Director of National Intelligence,” July 27, 2026.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/jul/27/senate-advances-jay-claytons-nomination-director-national/
3. Bridge Michigan, “Fact check: President Trump says Michigan ‘thriving,’ auto industry ‘back’,” July 27, 2026.
https://bridgemi.com/michigan-government/fact-check-president-trump-says-michigan-thriving-auto-industry-back/
4. North Carolina Department of Justice, “Attorney General Jeff Jackson Sues FEMA Over Threat to North Carolina’s Counterterrorism Funding,” July 27, 2026.
https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-sues-fema-over-threat-to-north-carolinas-counterterrorism-funding/
5. WSLS 10, “AG Jay Jones joins lawsuit against Trump administration for attempted conditions for billions in federal funding,” July 27, 2026.
https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2026/07/27/ag-jay-jones-joins-lawsuit-against-trump-administration-for-attempted-conditions-for-billions-in-federal-funding/
6. Las Vegas Sun (AP), “Wisconsin voters begin casting ballots at the polls in chaotic Democratic governor’s race,” July 27, 2026.
https://lasvegassun.com/news/2026/jul/27/wisconsin-voters-begin-casting-ballots-at-the-poll/
7. WCTV, “Judge rules Fishback eligible for governor race,” July 27, 2026.
https://www.wctv.tv/2026/07/27/judge-rules-fishback-eligible-governor-race/
8. KFGO, “South Dakota Republicans go to polls in historic runoff for governor nomination,” July 28, 2026.
https://kfgo.com/2026/07/28/1333978/
9. The Gun Mag, “Grassroots Legislative Report—July 27, 2026,” July 27, 2026.
https://www.thegunmag.com/grassroots-legislative-report-july-27-2026/