Your top U.S. political stories as America celebrates its 250th birthday.

1. 1
   White House

   Trump Commemorates 250th Anniversary at Mount Rushmore

   President Trump kicked off the nation's semiquincentennial celebrations with a July 4th speech at Mount Rushmore. Trump extolled American culture while warning of a "communist menace," drawing a sharp contrast with Democratic leaders who held competing events focused on unity.

2. 2
   Congress

   House Report Alleges Misuse of America 250 Funds

   A new House Democratic subcommittee report alleges that Trump allies diverted funds away from the bipartisan America250 commission to the White House-backed "Freedom 250" initiative. The report accuses the administration of hijacking the national anniversary to serve political ideology and pet projects.

3. 3
   2026 Midterms

   Record Number of House Retirements Ahead of Midterms

   As the 2026 midterm elections approach, 58 incumbent members of the U.S. House of Representatives have announced they will not seek re-election. The wave of departures, which includes 36 Republicans and 22 Democrats, sets the stage for a fiercely competitive battle for control of Congress in November.

4. 4
   Voting Rights

   Court Blocks Executive Order on Mail-In Ballots

   A federal district court has struck down portions of a controversial executive order attempting to assert federal control over state voter rolls and mail-in ballots. Voting rights groups praised the ruling as a victory for state-run elections ahead of the midterms.

5. 5
   Progressive Politics

   Zohran Mamdani Delivers Rebuttal to President's Speech

   State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani delivered a highly anticipated address surrounded by newly naturalized citizens to mark the 250th anniversary. His speech offered a progressive counter-narrative to President Trump's remarks, sparking debate over the modern meaning of patriotism.

6. 6
   National Polling

   Poll Finds Nearly Half of Americans Unaware of July 4th Significance

   A new national survey by the Cato Institute reveals that 46 percent of Americans do not know what event is being celebrated on the Fourth of July. The lack of civic knowledge was even higher among Generation Z, with 61 percent failing to correctly identify the origins of Independence Day.