The top 6 U.S. political news stories for Friday, August 14, 2026.

1. 1
   White House

   Trump Highlights Crime in Long Island Visit

   President Donald Trump is visiting the Nassau County Police Academy in New York today to highlight his administration's record on crime. The visit is largely seen as an effort to boost Republican candidates in competitive suburban races ahead of the November midterms.

2. 2
   Texas Senate Race

   Paxton Pivots Strategy in Tight Texas Senate Contest

   Texas Republican Ken Paxton is recalibrating his U.S. Senate campaign amidst surprisingly tight polling against Democratic challenger James Talarico. Known for his intra-party battles, Paxton is now appealing to the Washington establishment for financial support.

3. 3
   National Security

   Trump Empowers Private Cyber-Attacks

   President Trump has signed a national security memorandum allowing private U.S. companies to conduct offensive cyber-attacks against foreign criminal groups. The policy shift aims to leverage corporate capabilities to deter international cyber threats.

4. 4
   Defense Procurement

   Trump Orders Reversion to Steam Catapults on Carriers

   Following years of complaints, President Trump has ordered the Pentagon to scrap modern electromagnetic jet-launching technology on new aircraft carriers. He has directed the military to return to using traditional steam-powered catapults instead.

5. 5
   Ethics & Oversight

   Trump's Wealth and Crypto Ventures Raise Ethics Alarms

   A new report reveals that President Trump amassed $2.2 billion in revenue in 2025, heavily driven by cryptocurrency ventures. Ethics experts and congressional Democrats are raising alarms over the lack of federal oversight regarding the president's growing personal fortune.

6. 6
   Civil Rights

   Report Slams Administration's Civil Rights Enforcement

   A newly released report by Human Rights Watch claims the Trump administration has significantly abandoned civil rights enforcement. The document outlines deep concerns over recent Justice Department memos that critics say undermine prosecutorial independence.