The top 6 political news stories from Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

1. 1
   Foreign Policy

   U.S. Launches Retaliatory Strikes on Iranian Targets

   President Trump has authorized military strikes on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iranian port targets. The move follows recent attacks and escalating tensions in the Middle East, drawing warnings from the Treasury Department about the future of the Strait of Hormuz.

2. 2
   Congress

   House Passes Bill to Avert Government Shutdown

   The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through December 11, 2026. The measure averts a looming shutdown just before the midterm elections and now heads to the president's desk for a signature.

3. 3
   Pentagon

   Army Secretary Dan Driscoll Resigns

   U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has resigned after months of reported friction with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The White House confirmed the departure, citing Driscoll's contributions to military readiness and operations.

4. 4
   White House

   Executive Order Targets Threats to U.S. Bulk-Power System

   The administration has declared a national emergency to secure the U.S. bulk-power system against cybersecurity threats and supply-chain vulnerabilities. A new executive order authorizes the Department of Energy to prohibit transactions involving certain foreign-produced electric infrastructure equipment.

5. 5
   Elections

   USPS Whistleblower Warns of Rushed Mail Voting System

   A whistleblower has warned that the U.S. Postal Service is rushing a complex computer system intended to comply with an executive order on mail voting. The disclosure states the system is error-riddled and could jeopardize the mail-in ballot process ahead of the midterms.

6. 6
   Civil Rights

   Thousands Rally at March on Washington 2026

   Civil rights leaders, including Rev. Al Sharpton and Martin Luther King III, hosted the March on Washington 2026: Defend the Vote. Thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to demand protections for voting rights and economic justice ahead of the November elections.