Federal Level
Trump Names Will Scharf White House Counsel
On Sunday, President Trump announced that Will Scharf, currently his White House staff secretary, will become White House counsel effective September 1, replacing David Warrington. Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, saying Warrington had done an “outstanding job” and would move to the private sector. Scharf previously represented Trump in legal cases, including before the Supreme Court, and earlier served as a federal prosecutor. He has chaired the National Capital Planning Commission since 2025. The White House counsel advises the president on legal matters, including executive orders. Reuters and NBC News confirmed the appointment, marking a rapid rise for Scharf in Trump’s circle. 1, 2
Trump Tells Axios US Low-Keying It on Iran
On Sunday, President Trump told Axios the United States is “low-keying it” with Iran, signaling he will let economic pressure build rather than order new strikes. Trump spoke a week after saying he was close to ordering a major new offensive against Tehran. He said Iran “is in very bad shape” economically and has no money to pay its troops, crediting a naval blockade and sanctions for the strain. His remarks came as Iran continued refusing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless the United States meets demands, including troop withdrawals and an end to sanctions. 3, 4
Democrats Probe Deportations of Military Families
On Sunday evening, more than 60 congressional Democrats sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs demanding answers about the deportation of active-duty troops’ spouses and parents. The letter followed an Associated Press investigation that found more than 50 such family members detained by immigration authorities. Senator Elizabeth Warren, leading the effort with Senators Richard Blumenthal and Tammy Duckworth, said the administration is “breaking our country’s promises to service members.” DHS responded that military service alone does not automatically grant immigration status. The lawmakers asked why recruiters still promote protections the administration has scaled back. 5
Banks Says Miller Should Resign If Allegations True
On Sunday, Republican Senator Jim Banks of Indiana said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Ohio Representative Max Miller should resign if allegations he physically abused his ex-wife and their two-year-old daughter are true. Banks joined other Republican senators, including Miller’s former father-in-law, Bernie Moreno, and Ohio’s other senator, Jon Husted, in calling for Miller’s exit from his race. Banks warned Miller’s candidacy could cost Republicans a seat needed for their House majority. Miller has denied the allegations and confirmed Sunday he intends to stay in the race. A deadline for Ohio Republicans to replace him on the ballot passed over the weekend. 6, 7
Ocasio-Cortez Says Democratic Party Is Renewing
On Sunday, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said on ABC’s “This Week” that the Democratic Party is in a period of “renewal,” pointing to Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan Senate primary win as evidence of an energized, youth-driven wing of the party. Ocasio-Cortez, in her first Sunday show appearance in more than two years, said the party’s priority for the midterms is lowering costs for working families on housing, health care and groceries. She distanced herself from parts of the Democratic Socialists of America’s platform, saying she does not support abolishing the Senate. Republican strategist Scott Jennings, on the same program, argued Democratic leadership has “lost control” of its base. 8
State Level
Ohio Senator Renews Call for Miller to Resign
On Sunday, Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno, the father of Representative Max Miller’s ex-wife, repeated his call for Miller to resign from Congress and “seek professional help,” deepening a family dispute that has become a statewide political flashpoint. Moreno’s renewed statement came the same day fellow Ohio Senator Jon Husted and Indiana Senator Jim Banks separately urged Miller to step aside, warning his continued service could endanger the party’s grip on a competitive House seat. Miller’s campaign confirmed Sunday he will remain on the ballot for a third term representing northeast Ohio. Analysts say the rift could put a previously safe Republican seat in play in November. 9, 10
El-Sayed Talks With Obama After Bitter Primary
On Sunday, Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed said he had spoken by phone with former President Barack Obama and hopes Obama will campaign for him as Democrats try to unite after a bitter primary. El-Sayed narrowly defeated establishment-backed Representative Haley Stevens last week, exposing a rift between the party’s progressive and moderate wings. Speaking to CNN on Sunday, El-Sayed acknowledged “we aired our differences” during the primary but said the party is now focused on winning in November. Obama also spoke separately with Stevens as part of the outreach. Michigan Democrats held a “One Team” rally in Detroit on Friday to launch a coordinated campaign. 11, 12
Minnesota Opens Weekend Voting Before Primary
On Sunday, absentee voting locations across Minnesota opened for special weekend hours ahead of Tuesday’s statewide primary to succeed Governor Tim Walz. The Republican primary features a three-way contest between party-endorsed candidate Kendall Qualls, House Speaker Lisa Demuth and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who has President Trump’s endorsement. A KSTP poll released before the primary showed Lindell leading with 34% support, followed by Demuth at 28% and Qualls at 17%. The winner will face Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar in November. Absentee voting locations statewide were open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, with additional hours available Monday. 13, 14
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Article Sources
1. NBC News, “Trump announces staff secretary Will Scharf will be his new White House counsel,” Aug. 9, 2026.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-announces-staff-secretary-will-scharf-will-new-white-house-couns-rcna591644
2. Reuters, “Trump names Will Scharf as White House counsel,” Aug. 9, 2026.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-names-will-scharf-white-house-counsel-2026-08-09/
3. Axios, “Trump to Axios: We are low-keying it with Iran,” Aug. 9, 2026.
https://www.axios.com/2026/08/09/trump-iran-interview
4. Reuters, “Trump says U.S. is low-keying it with Iran, stresses economic pain, according to Axios interview,” Aug. 9, 2026.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trump-says-us-is-low-keying-it-with-iran-stresses-economic-pain-according-axios-2026-08-09/
5. AsiaOne, “Congressional Democrats launch probe into efforts to deport US military members and their families,” Aug. 10, 2026.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/congressional-democrats-launch-probe-efforts-deport-us-military-members-and-their-families
6. Fortune, “More GOP senators call for Miller to quit over abuse allegations,” Aug. 9, 2026.
https://fortune.com/2026/08/09/rep-max-miller-abuse-allegations-reelection-house-majority-gop-senators/
7. CNN, “Rep. Max Miller, accused of abuse, will remain in reelection race as deadline to replace him passes,” Aug. 9, 2026.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/09/politics/max-miller-reelection-race
8. ABC News, “This Week with George Stephanopoulos Full Broadcast,” Aug. 9, 2026.
9. Forbes, “Husted Joins Republican Calls For Max Miller’s Resignation,” Aug. 5, 2026.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2026/08/06/these-5-republican-senators-urge-max-miller-to-resign-as-ohios-husted-joins-ranks/
10. Washington Post, “Window closes for Ohio GOP to replace Rep. Max Miller on the ballot,” Aug. 9, 2026.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/09/window-closes-ohio-gop-replace-rep-max-miller-ballot/
11. The Hindu, “El-Sayed spoke with Obama as Michigan Democrats look to unite after a bitter Senate primary,” Aug. 9, 2026.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/el-sayed-spoke-with-obama-as-michigan-democrats-look-to-unite-after-a-bitter-senate-primary
12. Newser, “As Michigan Democrats Launch Unity Campaign, Obama Calls,” Aug. 9, 2026.
https://www.newser.com/story/394345/obama-joins-unity-push-as-michigan-democrats-rally.html
13. Twin Cities Pioneer Press, “Learn about GOP candidates for U.S. Senate, governor in Tuesday’s primary,” Aug. 8, 2026.
https://www.twincities.com/2026/08/08/learn-about-gop-candidates-for-u-s-senate-governor-in-tuesdays-primary/
14. Minnesota Secretary of State, “Voting locations before election day,” accessed Aug. 9, 2026.
https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/voting-locations-before-election-day/