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Leigh Ann Caldwell, Julia Ioffe, Peter Hamby, Abby Livingston & John Heilemann
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Sunday through Thursday
Puck’s daily political newsletter from Washington—featuring Leigh Ann Caldwell, Julia Ioffe, Peter Hamby, Abby Livingston, and John Heilemann—on what’s really happening in this town, from the White House to the Pentagon to Capitol Hill, K Street, and the campaign trail.
THE LATEST ARTICLES
Leigh Ann Caldwell
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July 21, 2025
The Collins Pressure Campaign
After Sen. Susan Collins’ eleventh-hour decision to not put forth an amendment slimming down the $9 billion rescission package, she blamed a “political stunt” from Democrats for her change of heart. But a subtle pressure campaign from her G.O.P. colleagues and the White House might have been the key factor.
Leigh Ann Caldwell
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July 18, 2025
Angie Craig’s Big Tent
In this candid conversation, the Senate candidate and Minnesota Democratic representative discusses the bipartisan Clarity Act, the crypto-related questions facing the White House, the administration’s quixotic rural agenda, and much more.
Leigh Ann Caldwell
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July 16, 2025
Trump’s Epstein Curse
The president’s perplexing reversal on releasing the Epstein case files has become the rare issue on which the MAGA base seems unwilling to follow his lead. It may not matter during the midterms, but it’s “the first real example of Trump’s base attacking him,” a Republican strategist said. “This softens him up for the next time he crosses them.”
Leigh Ann Caldwell
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July 13, 2025
The Senate’s Midterm Paralysis Problem
As the ’26 cycle ramps up, both Republican and Democratic Senate recruiting efforts have been slowed by uncertainty over Trump’s endorsement strategy, who is running, and whether the job is still worth the headache.
Leigh Ann Caldwell
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July 9, 2025
Capitol Hill’s War Against Itself
Amid the Trump administration’s assaults on the Government Accountability Office, the original DOGE, House Republicans have largely sided with the White House over their own watchdog—the latest sign that they would rather abrogate their own constitutional powers than disagree with the president.
Leigh Ann Caldwell
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July 6, 2025
Nightmare on K Street
A blunt conversation with a Republican and corporate influence insider about why businesses were blindsided by the Big Beautiful Bill, and how “America First” renewables beat wind and solar in the energy tax wars.
Leigh Ann Caldwell
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July 2, 2025
BBB’s Path of Least Resistance
There was sound, there was fury, and then there was the predictable spectacle of Republicans—hawks and populists alike—falling in line behind Trump’s landmark bill.
Leigh Ann Caldwell
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June 29, 2025
To BBB or Not to Be
As Trump’s self-imposed July Fourth deadline approaches and the horse-trading continues, Republicans are starting to worry about the political ramifications of slashing Medicaid and running up the national debt as they rush to get the Big Beautiful Bill across the finish line—regardless of whether they support everything that’s in it.
Leigh Ann Caldwell
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June 25, 2025
Tim Kaine’s War on War Powers
As Dems struggle to unify on whether Trump should have attacked Iran, they’re lining up to criticize how he did it—without congressional approval or input. Senator Tim Kaine discusses his latest resolution to claw back congressional war powers, and why he feels it’s more important than ever.
Leigh Ann Caldwell
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June 23, 2025
Handicapping the House Oversight Food Fight
A generational battle will be fought on Tuesday as Democrats vote for the next head of the Oversight Committee, the powerful launchpad for Democratic investigations, potential impeachments, and career advancement, of course. Here’s how insiders are ranking the candidates before voting commences.
