Lindsey Graham

He played his part well

Donald Trump’s allies are downplaying his sweeping plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, which would tear apart families and harm the economy.

Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are in a battle for male voters, one that’s increasingly focused on sports fans amid football, baseball and basketball season.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) has tried to mend his relationship with former President Trump, but newly reported comments reveal how deeply his personal animosity toward Trump ran after the 2020 election and signal the challenges GOP senators could have in working with Trump if he is elected again. Many Republican senators who have [...]

Republican megadonor Miriam Adelson has contributed $1 million to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's political action committee

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) sparred in their lone debate this cycle Thursday night as they look to replace retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) next year. Alsobrooks has emerged as the favorite, with polls showing her squarely in the drivers seat. According to an aggregate of [...]

Letter writers advocate for speed cameras around libraries, argue it's time for political change, and express embarrassment about Congress' inability to pass immigration reform.

It was not all that long ago that the Republican Party stood for the rule of law and defended America’s most cherished institutions.

The president said, 'It’s going to cost billions of dollars to deal with this storm and all the communities affected.'

President Biden touched down at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport around 1:45 p.m. to meet with local officials and survey damage from Tropical Storm Helene.

Russia-Iran axis poses bigger threat than most Americans realize as they possess capabilities and clandestine networks inside U.S. homeland and political will to execute operations.

The widespread devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene is upping the pressure on lawmakers for a looming end-of-year fight over disaster funding. While funding negotiators on both sides acknowledge the need for additional resources for disaster recovery, it has already been a point of contention in spending talks and the dynamic could continue when a divided [...]

Organizers failed to release any information about the LA event to media reporters.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is escalating his personal attacks on his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, by repeating an insult that she was “mentally impaired." He also says she should be “impeached and prosecuted.” Trump’s rally Sunday in Erie, Pennsylvania,...

Tensions in the Middle East following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah are spiraling and tipping toward what the Biden administration has feared for months: a broader regional war. Here's what you may have missed when newsmakers hit the airwaves this Sunday, September 29.1. Cotton dismisses Middle East ceasefire Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) speaks on CBS News' "Face the Nation" on Sept. 29.Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said it isn't the right time for Israel to broker a ceasefire, taking a stance at odds with efforts by the Biden administration and several U.S. allies to halt the fighting. What he's saying: "Hezbollah is on its knees," Cotton said on CBS News' "Face the Nation. "The United States should help Israel drive Hezbollah to the mat and choke it out and finish it off once and for all."He called for the U.S. to "let Israel win rather than continue to make these feckless demands for ceasefires and de-escalation."Cotton added he'd support an Israeli ground invasion into Lebanon if "that's what Israel needs to do to eliminate the remnants of Hezbollah's leadership and arsenal."The big picture: The proposed 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah would allow a pause for negotiations in the escalating conflict, where hundreds have reportedly been killed in just days.Thousands in Gaza and Lebanon have been killed in Israeli strikes in nearly a year since Hamas' brutal Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200.Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who served as the head of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, offered a word of caution when asked about Cotton's suggestion: "Just spiraling the violence is unlikely to produce a good outcome."But he added: "I can sympathize with both sides, the visceral desire to go after the other."As Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to wage war against Iranian proxies with mounting civilian casualties, McChrystal noted, "The long-term outcome in Palestine writ large is going to be from a statesman-like view."He continued: "If he's [Netanyahu] taking a wartime view only, I think at some point he's either going to have to widen that aperture or take a longer view of it."National Security spokesman John Kirby said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" that there "needs to be an effort to de-escalate."He noted, "Hezbollah under Mr. Nasrallah was a lethal threat to the Israeli people — they want to get their families back to those homes and kibbutzes in the north," but said the U.S. believes "an all-out war with Hezbollah, certainly with Iran, is not the way to do that."Zoom out: Asked by CNN's Jake Tapper about a possible ground incursion into Lebanon, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called for normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia — a cause he has continuously advocated for — saying, "Without some diplomatic solution, Israel is going to be occupying parts ... of Lebanon to create a buffer zone."He added: "That to me is not the outcome I desire."2. The GOP's new ICE talking point Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) speaks to CNN's Jake Tapper on "State of the Union" on Sept. 29.Several Republicans making the Sunday show rounds brought up the same talking point when asked about the border — that hundreds of thousands of migrants have committed crimes while President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been in office. Why it matters: The data the GOP members are referencing was released last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas). The statistics span decades, including the Trump administration years, and some of the individuals counted are serving prison sentences, not living freely.What they're saying: "400,000 people have been let loose in our country, 16,000 people convicted of being a rapist, 13,000 convicted murderers and 400,000 people generally convicted of crimes were released on her watch," Graham said on "State of the Union," before being fact-checked by CNN anchor Jake Tapper about the data. Cotton cited the same numbers during his appearance on "Face the Nation," telling CBS's Robert Costa, claiming the administration "acknowledged" it "released more than 13,000 convicted murderers" and other criminals "who Kamala Harris and Joe Biden have let roam our streets."Donald Trump Jr., the former president's eldest son, accused Harris of "literally letting in 16,000 rapists across the border that she was in charge of. 13,000 murderers as part of the millions of people they've let into this country unchecked" during his appearance on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures."And then there's Trump, who took to Truth Social Friday, the same day Harris visited the border, to slam her record on immigration using the data: "Kamala should immediately cancel her News Conference because it was just revealed that 13,000 convicted murderers entered our Country during her three and a half year period as Border Czar."Between the lines: Despite Republican claims, Harris was never appointed to be in charge of the border or its security. Biden appointed her to lead diplomatic efforts related to immigration, including meeting officials from Central American countries to work on solutions to ease migration to the U.S.Worth noting: CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale writes that the "non-detained" list includes people who are behind bars serving criminal sentences but are not being held in "immigration detention in particular," meaning criminals are not necessarily being allowed to "openly roam" the country (as Trump said).However, the total number on the non-detained docket — including those not convicted of any crimes — CNN notes, did spike under the Biden administration.3. Another GOP endorsement for Harris Former Sen. Jeff Flake speaks on ABC's "This Week" on Sept. 29.Jeff Flake, the former Arizona senator and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, is the latest GOP member to endorse Harris.Driving the news: Flake didn't call Trump by name when explaining his reasoning in an appearance on ABC News' "This Week" but said he couldn't endorse a candidate who "tries to use the powers of the presidency to overturn" an election.He said he thought Republicans "believe in the rule of law in particular" and that overturning an election is "anything but respect for the rule of law."Flake also highlighted the former president's tariff policy as going against conservative viewpoints on free trade.Zoom out: Given Flake's connection to a border state, ABC News' Martha Raddatz pressed the former senator on his views about Harris' immigration policies.Flake conceded Harris could be tougher on the border "particularly with asylum policies."More from Axios' Sunday coverage:"You've been a good friend": Biden honors Jimmy Carter ahead of 100th birthdayHarris sticks with Biden on foreign policy — for now"Our hearts are heavy": NWS writes emotional letter to Carolinas, Georgia

Some Republicans have sought to distance themselves from Donald Trump’s escalation of personal attacks on Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. In a rambling weekend rally in Wisconsin that devolved into a list of his personal grievances, he called her “mentally disabled.”...

Republicans on Sunday sought to distance themselves from Donald Trump’s latest insults of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris during a rambling weekend rally in Wisconsin in which he called her “mentally disabled.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans on Sunday sought to distance themselves from Donald Trump's latest insults of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris during a rambling weekend rally in Wisconsin in which he called her “mentally disabled.”

Some Republicans have sought to distance themselves from Donald Trump’s latest escalation of personal attacks on Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. His comments came during a rambling weekend rally in Wisconsin that devolved into a list of his personal grievances. While...

Some Republicans have sought to distance themselves from Donald Trump’s latest escalation of personal attacks on Democratic nominee Kamala Harris

Revelations about the North Carolina Republican's porn forum comments are shocking, but for those who've followed the gubernatorial candidate's career in politics, they're not necessarily a surprise

Former Rep. Anthony Brindisi, D-N.Y., arrives for a hearing when he was in office in 2019.

Republicans nationwide have offered disjointed responses to the controversy swirling around North Carolina's Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, whose campaign for governor is now in free fall. Why it matters: Last week's bombshell CNN report, which uncovered unsavory comments Robinson allegedly made as an active participant on a porn site message board, has rattled his party. Robinson has denied the allegations, but they've still put his fellow Republicans running for office in a tight spot: Denounce Robinson and risk alienating some of the party's base, or stay silent and potentially face criticism. The big picture: Their dilemma has been clear in recent days, as a handful of party leaders and down-ballot candidates have spoken out against him. Others have acknowledged that the comments are problematic without pinning them on Robinson. "I had a [Republican] Council of State candidate text me on Thursday, saying 'I think I'm toast,'" Republican strategist Doug Heye said. "That's what the stakes are." Democrats, meanwhile, have pounced, moving quickly to link Trump and other Republicans to Robinson. Driving the news: Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who spoke at a fundraiser for Robinson last month, and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, who planned to speak at a fundraiser for him, both withdrew their support this week, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and The Tennessean reported. Republican Congressman and attorney general candidate Dan Bishop, meanwhile, has given mixed signals on Robinson. He blamed Democrats for the controversy, saying they "rolled out a meticulously timed and coordinated character assassination," the Washington Post reported. At the same time, Bishop said in a post on X Monday that "any decisions about how to proceed in the Governor's race rest solely with Mark and are between him and the people of North Carolina." Others have hedged, condemning the alleged comments without denouncing Robinson. Vice Presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance said the allegations "aren't necessarily reality" and that what Robinson "said or didn't say is ultimately between him and the people of North Carolina." Vance refused to say whether he'd continue to support Robinson, per MSNBC. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham on NBC's "Meet the Press": "I think what's going to happen here is he deserves the chance to defend himself, Mark Robinson," Graham said. "The charges are beyond unnerving. If they're true, he is unfit to serve for office."North Carolina's U.S. Sen. Ted Budd has said that the allegations are "disturbing" and "concerning," but that Robinson has denied them and should prove that they're not true. U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, the senior senator from North Carolina, told CNN that Robinson must "provide evidence by Friday refuting the damaging information about his posts on a porn site — or the party needs to 'move on' and focus on Trump and down-ticket races."Brad Briner, the Republican nominee for state treasurer, said on X that Robinson should step aside if he can't put the allegations to rest "in the coming days." (The deadline to withdraw from the race was last week.) Former President Trump and Republican candidate for North Carolina's competitive 1st Congressional District Laurie Buckhout have stayed silent. What we're watching: Robinson is set to speak this weekend at NC Faith & Freedom's Salt & Light Conference, where Ben Carson, the Trump campaign's National Faith Chairman, and Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace will also appear. The latest: Robinson hired a law firm to investigate where and how CNN's "false smears originated," he said in a statement Tuesday. "I am confident that Binnall Law Group will leave no stone unturned and enable us to use every legal means to hold CNN accountable for their lies," Robinson said. Reality check: CNN said that it verified that Robinson made the newly unearthed comments under the username "minisoldr" through both his comments and profile, which offered details that aligned with his personal background, including his name, age, location and marriage details.Politico also reported Monday that the comments allegedly made by Robinson came from an IP address around where he lived at the time. Between the lines: Robinson's campaign still has not announced staff replacements, after eight members of this campaign, including his top adviser, resigned over the weekend."He didn't start off with the A team, but now we're looking at the QRS team," Heye said. Plus, Heye said, "He has no money." The bottom line: Robinson's odds of winning are looking increasingly bleak, and his fellow Republicans' unwillingness to tie themselves to him seems to be evidence that they agree.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a top ally of Donald Trump, is decrying rhetoric linking Trump and Mark Robinson, the embattled Republican candidate for governor of North Carolina.Robinson has faced severe criticism following a recent CNN report that, in posts on an adult website, Robinson described himself as a “Black Nazi,” called for the return of slavery, and bragged about peeping on nude women. Since the report, Democrats have produced video compilations and advertising tying Trump to Robinson, whom Trump praised as “better than Martin Luther King.”“When somebody says something and I have a relationship with them, I don’t own all of that,” Graham said during an appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity.”“That’s literally [Democrats’] campaign in North Carolina,” he added. “It’s trying to make people believe that Donald Trump is somehow involved with Mark—with the Robinson guy. Donald Trump knew nothing about this. I knew nothing about it. They’re trying to guilt by association—if you’re a Republican, you own Mark Robinson.”xxYouTube Video

It became more common for authorities to charge women with crimes related to their pregnancies after the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022, a new study found.

It became more common for authorities to charge women with crimes related to their pregnancies after the fall of Roe v. Wade in 2022, a new study found.

Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen put the effort to reform the Cornhusker state's allocation of electoral votes to rest Tuesday, confirming he has no plans to call a special session before the November election.Why it matters: The GOP-led effort to switch Nebraska's electoral vote system to winner-take-all, if successful, would likely have guaranteed former President Trump one more electoral vote in what is predicted to be a tight election.Driving the news: Pointing to state Sen. Mike McDonnell's (R) announcement that he would not join the Republican push, Pillen said the effort could not reach the 33-member threshold needed to overcome a filibuster. "Given everything at stake for Nebraska and our country, we have left every inch on the field to get this done," the Republican governor said in a statement, calling McDonnell's refusal to vote for a winner-take-all system "profoundly disappointing."In a statement released Monday, McDonnell contended that "now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment" to overhaul the system of allocating votes. McDonnell joined the 15 Democrats and one Independent in the Nebraska Senate who said they would not support the effort. State of play: Nebraska's second congressional district has changed party hands in recent presidential elections. President Biden and former President Obama won it in 2020 and 2008, while Mitt Romney and Trump took it in 2012 and 2016. Vice President Kamala Harris is currently besting Trump in polls, and the district could be the electoral vote to tip a possible tie in her favor.Catch up quick: The effort, which was sidelined by a procedural hurdle before the legislature's session ended, picked up recent momentum after Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) met with Pillen and other Republican lawmakers to push for the change. Graham said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" that there was a 50-50 chance the switch-up would be successful.What we're watching: Though Pillen's statement effectively confirms the current electoral map will remain intact ahead of the 2024 election, the push may arise again. McDonnell encouraged Pillen and his fellow lawmakers to pass a constitutional amendment during next year's session, allowing the citizens of Nebraska to "once and for all decide this issue the way it should be decided — on the ballot."Go deeper: Behind the Curtain: 6% of six states

Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows

Maya Berry came to testify as an expert on hate crimes. She ended up the target of blatant anti-Arab racism by Republican senators.

For months, Nebraska and Maine have engaged in a standoff over possible changes to their electoral college votes, but a missed deadline in Maine means Nebraska Republicans can toss an extra electoral vote to Trump without fear of retaliation from Maine Democrats.Why it matters: Nebraska and Maine are the only two states that don't use a winner-take-all system to award their electoral delegates, but Nebraska has inched toward scrapping that in a move that would give Trump one more electoral college vote in what's expected to be a tight race.Maine Democrats had vowed to change their system as well to cancel out Nebraska's move, but they appear to have run out of time.The big picture: With less than two months to election day, the presidential race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris remains tight, meaning each electoral vote will be critical for carving a path towards victory.The road to clinching 270 delegates, for either candidate, will likely come down to a handful of states.One highly plausible path could see Harris win Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin but lose the Sun Belt swing states — bringing the race for the White House down to a single blue-leaning district in Nebraska.State of play: Currently, Nebraska with five electoral votes and Maine with four allow some of their delegates to be split between candidates by voting district.Maine is a blue state with one Republican-leaning district, while Nebraska is a red state with one Democratic-leaning district.NebraskaThe push to change Nebraska's allotment system began rumbling this spring, when Gov. Jim Pillen (R) and Trump both endorsed a proposal to change to a winner-take-all system — though the proposal ultimately failed.However, the issue gained fresh traction over the past week, after Pillen issued a statement saying he would call a special legislative session to reconsider the matter if he could be assured the GOP had the requisite 33 votes to back the change.Zoom in: On Wednesday, Pillen met with Trump-ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and about a dozen Nebraska Republicans to discuss the matter.Graham reportedly tried to encourage the final holdouts to support the change.All five members of Nebraska's federal delegation — all Republicans — sent a letter to Pillen and the State Legislature's speaker on Wednesday night endorsing the change.The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.MaineLawmakers in Maine have warned that if the Cornhusker State changes to a winner-take-all system they will move to do the same, effectively canceling Nebraska out.Maine's House Majority Leader Maureen Terry (D) said in April that her party would be compelled to make the change in order "restore fairness."Yes, but: Maine faces a potentially insurmountable logistical hurdle.Any legislation passed in Maine takes 90 days to go into effect, and Thursday marked 89 days until the electoral college is set to meet on Dec. 17 — meaning the Maine Legislature has already run out of time to make the change under normal rules.Maine can enact "emergency" legislation immediately, but passing a measure under this provision would require a supermajority of two-thirds in both houses of Congress in the state. While Democrats control both chambers in the Maine legislature, they don't have a supermajority in the Maine House — so passing any measure to change the allotment system would require Republican support.Between the lines: Maine Republicans aren't in any rush to join the push to change the state's allotment system."We should be trying to convince other states to use a more representative process like ours, not change to winner-take-all like other states," House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R) said in a statement Thursday, the Bangor Daily News reported.Go deeper: Graham met Nebraska leaders in push to get Trump one more electoral vote

Trump's allies want the state to move to a winner-take-all system for its Electoral College votes to make it harder for Harris to win.

Nebraska lawmakers are facing last-minute pressure to replace the state's unique presidential electoral system with a winner-take-all model backed by former President Donald Trump.

Republicans on Tuesday blocked a bill that would have created a right to access IVF treatments and mandated that insurance plans cover the practice, deriding the vote as a political ploy. Senators voted against advancing the bill, 51-44, marking the second time Democrats have sought to put Republicans on the record on the contentious issue. [...]

A second attempt to pass legislation guaranteeing access to in vitro fertilization for women who need it failed after Republican senators filibustered it on Tuesday.

The Biden administration is moving to lift endangered species protections on gray wolves in the U.S. and reinstate a Trump-era rule just weeks before the 2024 election.

'If the Secret Service is in need of more resources, we are prepared in providing it,' said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

That a gunman got close to former President Trump for the second time in about two months intensified questions about the agency’s broader protective capabilities.

Following revelations of private memoranda and conversations between Supreme Court justices published in the New York Times, legal experts are warning that such sensitive leaks are destructive.

Trump allies, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., blasted Loomer this week over her racist tweets about Vice President Kamala Harris.

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Friday refused to disavow far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, whose presence on the campaign trail this week has drawn criticism from fervent Trump supporters as well as the White...

Former President Trump shrugged off a question about his association with far-right activist Laura Loomer as some of his Republican allies sound the alarm about her influence, saying Friday that she brings "a spirit" to his campaign. Trump was asked about Republican concerns with Loomer's proximity to the former president in recent days during an [...]

Donald Trump on Friday defended Laura Loomer after some of the former president's closest allies this week raised concerns about his relationship with the far-right activist.

Trump allies, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., blasted Loomer this week over her racist tweets about Vice President Kamala Harris.

Donald Trump on Friday defended Laura Loomer after some of the former president’s closest allies this week raised concerns about his relationship with the far-right activist.“Laura has been a supporter of mine. Just like a lot of people are supporters, and she’s been a supporter of mine. She speaks very positively of the campaign. I’m not sure why you asked that question,” Trump told reporters at a press conference in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle blasted Loomer, who repeatedly appeared alongside Trump this week — including at a Sept. 11 memorial event — as she promoted baseless and inflammatory remarks about immigrants on her social media accounts. Loomer lashed out at Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., in response to their criticisms.“I don’t control Laura. Laura — she’s a, she’s a free spirit. Well, I don’t know. I mean, look, I can’t tell Laura what to do,” Trump added on Friday.Loomer’s relationship with Trump came under particular scrutiny after the former president mentioned a conspiracy theory about immigrants eating pets during a debate with Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday.Loomer did not immediately return a request for comment about Trump’s remark Friday. Representatives for the Trump and Harris campaigns also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Donald TrumpSep 11Laura Loomer, who promoted a 9/11 conspiracy theory, joins Trump for ceremonies marking the attacksDecision 2024Sep 11An Ohio city reshaped by Haitian immigrants lands in an unwelcome spotlightThe baseless theory, which city officials and police have denied, originated online and spread through far-right circles.Several of Loomer’s posts on social media this week came under fire, including one where she nodded to a conspiracy theory about the 9/11 attacks.“23 years later, and there’s still a lot of unanswered questions,” Loomer posted Friday, alongside a video of Trump in 2001 questioning whether airplanes could cause explosions like the ones that happened at the Twin Towers on 9/11.In another post, Loomer alleged that the “White House will smell like curry & White House speeches will be facilitated via a call center” if Harris wins the presidential election.That statement earned her condemnation from Greene, who called the comment “appalling and extremely racist.”White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a briefing Thursday of Loomer, “No leader should ever associate with someone who spreads this kind of ugliness, this kind of racist poison.”This story first appeared on NBCNews.com. More from NBC News:Far-right activist Laura Loomer’s access to Trump reveals a crisis in his campaignBefore Trump, neo-Nazis pushed false claims about Haitians as part of hate campaignFor Haitians, disparaging tropes are an opportunity to share ‘the beauty of our country and people’

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks introduced legislation that would provide a tax credit of up to $30,000 to individuals and couples pursuing in vitro fertilization.

Sen. Lindsey Graham told Amazon's CEO he was putting the company "on notice" after biased answers about voting for Harris and Trump came to light.

Some in the GOP are pining for the post-Trump era, Politico reported, but they still won't lift a finger