The top political headlines for Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

1. 1
   White House Security

   Threat Forces Secret Air Force One Evacuation

   President Trump was secretly smuggled off Air Force One in a catering truck and flown on a different aircraft following an assassination threat from Iran. The incident highlights the severe and escalating security protocols surrounding the President.

2. 2
   2026 Midterms

   Key Primaries Test Factions in Midterm Election Cycle

   Tuesday's primary elections in states like Wisconsin, Minnesota, and South Carolina tested the strength of both progressive and conservative wings. In Minnesota, progressive Peggy Flanagan swept the Senate primary, while Trump-backed Darline Graham advanced to a runoff in South Carolina.

3. 3
   Health Policy

   New Executive Order Overhauls Childhood Vaccine Schedules

   President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. introduced an executive order aimed at scaling back the childhood immunization schedule. The move hands a victory to the administration's health-focused base but provides Democrats with a fresh line of attack.

4. 4
   Executive Power

   Administration Redirects $900 Million for White House Construction

   The administration is bypassing direct congressional appropriation to spend at least $900 million on White House upgrades, including drone-proof structures. Critics argue the unprecedented redirection of funds is a circumvention of Congress's power of the purse.

5. 5
   Congress

   Senate Democrat Unveils Bill to Curb Presidential Powers

   Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley has introduced a 10-point plan titled the "For Our Republic Act" to reassert congressional authority. The legislation aims to insulate inspectors general, ban rescissions of appropriated funds, and extend ethics statutes.

6. 6
   Justice Department

   Internal Watchdogs Gutted Amid DOJ Misconduct Claims

   As federal judges repeatedly reprimand the Justice Department for alleged misconduct, internal oversight has severely diminished. The Inspector General's office has lost 99 employees, drastically limiting its investigative capacity.