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Lindsey Graham’s Death Transforms the Race for His Democratic Challenger
Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, has offered condolences to those who loved Mr. Graham while considering the political fallout from his death. Republicans are scrambling to arrange a new primary election.
The Quintessential Trump-era Politician
In 2020, I wrote an article about collaboration and collaborators. The title was History Will Judge the Complicit, and it started with the story of two famous East Germans, Markus Wolf and Wolfgang Leonhard, who both landed in East Berlin just after the end of the war. Although they came from very similar backgrounds, the former stuck with the regime, eventually becoming its spy boss; the latter, horrified by the brutal reality of Soviet-style communism, escaped. By way of juxtaposition, I also wrote about Lyndsey Graham and Mitt Romney. These two men also made very different decisions when confronted by Donald Trump’s assault on the ideals that they had both grown up believing: A glance at their biographies would not have led many to predict what happened next. On paper, Graham would have seemed, in 2016, like the man with deeper ties to the military, to the rule of law, and to an old-fashioned idea of American patriotism and American responsibility in the world. Romney, by contrast, with his shifts between the center and the right, with his multiple careers in business and politics, would have seemed less deeply attached to those same old-fashioned patriotic ideals. Most of us register soldiers as loyal patriots, and management consultants as self-interested. We assume people from small towns in South Carolina are more likely to resist political pressure than people who have lived in many places. Intuitively, we think that loyalty to a particular place implies loyalty to a set of values. But in this case the clichés were wrong. It was Graham who made excuses for Trump’s abuse of power. It was Graham—a JAG Corps lawyer—who downplayed the evidence that the president had attempted to manipulate foreign courts and blackmail a foreign leader into launching a phony investigation into a political rival. It was Graham who abandoned his own stated support for bipartisanship and instead pushed for a hyperpartisan Senate Judiciary Committee investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden’s son. It was Graham who played golf with Trump, who made excuses for him on television, who supported the president even as he slowly destroyed the American alliances—with Europeans, with the Kurds—that Graham had defended all his life. By contrast, it was Romney who, in February, became the only Republican senator to break ranks with his colleagues, voting to impeach the president. “Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office,” he said, is “perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one’s oath of office that I can imagine.” In the wake of Graham’s unexpected death on Saturday, I wrote about him again. He was, in many ways, the quintessential politician of Trump’s Washington, a man who shifted 180 degrees. Graham had been a fervent American patriot, proud reserve officer and military lawyer; he became one of the most important defenders of a president who believes soldiers are “suckers and losers” and shows no respect for law of any kind. As his politics changed, his language grew coarser and his behavior grew worse: He urged Israel to “level the place” in Gaza, and insulted the Danish prime minister in Munich, prompting a colleague, Senator Elissa Slotkin, to issue an apology. Here’s an excerpt from the article, which you can read in The Atlantic (gift link here) Like his close friend John McCain, Graham believed that America should stand at the center of a broad democratic alliance. The few times I met him were in that context, at the Munich Security Conference or at other European-American gatherings, which he once attended with great regularity. He also took seriously the practice of American democracy at home. In a 2014 conversation with The Atlantic, he described himself as a pragmatic politician who eschewed populist slogans. “I know Washington is broken, but what’s broken about it is everybody yelling and nobody trying to fix it,” he said. “I’m trying.” When Donald Trump first appeared in U.S. politics, Graham recognized him immediately for what he was: the spokesman for an alien ideology, one radically different from the idealistic patriotism that Graham had practiced and preached since childhood. Trump privately mocked the military that Graham loved as nothing but “suckers and losers.” He put falsehoods, cynicism, and personal greed at the center of his politics, while expressing disdain for transparency, accountability, and democracy itself. In 2015, Graham described Trump as a “race-baiting, xenophobic, religious bigot” who should “go to hell.” Also as a “nutjob.” When Trump won, Graham understood, as did so many others, that he would have to make some important choices. For a while, he went silent. In the spring of 2016, I saw him at one of those conferences in Europe. He seemed too depressed to speak. But then, like many other Republicans—and, more important, like many other people who have lived under political occupation or experienced radical regime change—he made the decision to abandon his previous ideals, to bury the patriotism that was once so important to him, and to become, instead, a loud, opportunistic collaborator. As I wrote in 2020, it’s very hard to look in to anyone’s heart and to understand their motivations from the outside. But it does seem that Graham had a deep need to be relevant, to be in the game, to be a player, at any cost. And that, rather than any particular achievement, is what he will be remembered for. Continuing to monitor conflicts of interest, ostentatious emoluments, outright corruption and policy changes that will facilitate outright corruption. (Read my original article, Kleptocracy Inc and check out the SNF Agora Institute chart) June 27 Trump diverted funds from more than 900 projects nationwide—including safety upgrades at national parks—to finance beautification projects around Washington, including $700,000 used to fix a White House walkway. June 28 After a years-long Department of Justice investigation into Abbott Laboratories over its management of a baby formula facility where potentially deadly bacteria turned up enough evidence to criminally charge the firm, top department officials instead opted for a financial penalty—illustrating the department’s move away from strict corporate enforcement under the Trump administration. June 29 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stacked the Defense Policy Board—which is charged with providing independent national security recommendations to the Office of the Secretary of Defense—with Trump allies, including tech billionaire Marc Andreessen, who has invested in defense contractors like OpenAI and SpaceX, after purging the panel last year. Trump purchased between $1 million and $5 million worth of stock in Axon—which makes about 90% of US tasers—two weeks before ICE solicited bids for a $220 million taser contract. The White House unveiled limited-edition US passports for America’s 250th birthday, featuring a portrait of Trump overlaid on the Declaration of Independence. June 30 Trump made around $1.2 billion from his various crypto companies last year, including more than $500 million from World Liberty Financial and $600 million from sales of his meme coin. Trump is considering issuing 250 pardons to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. These are expected to be largely doled out through the Office of the Pardon Attorney’s informal network of intermediaries. White-collar defense attorneys say they can typically win pardons for clients for $2 million. Last year, Trump administration officials awarded a no-bid contract worth up to $500 million to Clark Construction for the White House ballroom—negotiations in which the president was directly involved. July 1 The Amazon MGM Studios documentary about Melania Trump earned the First Lady more than $10 million. Trump made hundreds of individual stock purchases worth as much as $12.8 million the day before his announcement pausing “Liberation Day” tariffs for 90 days sent the S&P 500 soaring nearly 10%—one of the largest single-day gains ever. Mar-a-Lago and Trump National Doral saw record surges in revenue during Trump’s first year in office, earning $77.5 million and $121.9 million respectively, compared to average annual revenues of $25 million and $75 million during Trump’s first term. Entities across the Persian Gulf paid more than $300 million to Trump’s businesses last year, including $263 million from the sale of half his stake in World Liberty Financial to a firm backed by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a top UAE royal and brother of the country’s president. Kash Patel failed to properly disclose his stock purchase of a Department of Justice contractor, MicroStrategy, worth up to $250,000 last year, despite laws requiring disclosure within 45 days of the trade. July 2 Trump has been directing administration officials to steer more government contracts—so far worth more than $2.4 billion—to Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin aerospace firm, after Amazon gave $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund, donated to the White House ballroom project, and reached a $40 million deal to license a Melania Trump documentary. Alongside the billions he made from cryptocurrency last year, Trump earned millions of dollars from real estate licensing fees, including $21 million from organizations in the UAE and $9.2 million in Saudi Arabia, along with smaller sums from merchandise sales, including $4.7 million from Trump Watches and $35,920 from 45 Guitar, a guitar brand endorsed by the president. House Democrats accused consultants tied to the Trump administration of financial fraud, alleging they gave prospective donors to America250—the bipartisan committee created by Congress to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial—the banking and routing numbers for Freedom 250, the White House’s fund for events like the UFC cage fight. Democrats also allege that Freedom 250’s CEO traveled to the World Economic Forum in Davos to solicit donations from foreign government officials and business leaders. The Trump administration’s proposed rollback of gun regulations would lift the prohibition on mailing handguns to individuals, a significant win for GrabAGun—the direct-to-consumer firearm retailer on whose board Donald Trump Jr. sits and in which he holds a 1.1% ownership stake. GrabAGun currently must rely on a middleman to transfer firearms to customers. Trump’s financial disclosure revealed that he made more than 21,000 securities trades during his first year back in office, growing his investment account to at least $858 million across stakes in around 1,600 companies, compared to the 13 total trades Joe Biden made during his entire presidency. July 4 Nearly 1 million people who bought the president’s meme coin—Trump Coin—collectively lost $3.8 billion on the token, while he walked away with $636 million. July 6 Shares of Dell closed up 4.4% after Trump recommended people buy the firm’s computers during a speech announcing the launch of Trump investment accounts for children, boosting the more than $1 million worth of shares the president owns in the company. July 9 Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh named crypto investor and Trump ally Marc Andreessen to a task force aimed at modernizing the Federal Reserve, including rethinking its approach to inflation—a key factor keeping interest rates elevated. Palm Beach International Airport has officially changed its name to Trump International Airport—a move that will require Florida to pay royalties to the president’s family for licensing his name. I was there a few months ago, during a trip to Barcelona. The sculptures were a revelation, I’d never seen so many together before. Each one has its own personality. Enjoy the good weather, if you are lucky enough to have it. History Will Judge the Complicit The Quintessential Politician Autocracy Inc Open Letters, from Anne Applebaum is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Subscribe
Midwest becomes next theater in Democrats' progressive vs. moderate fight
August primaries in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota will be another gauge of Democratic voters’ frustration with the establishment.
Michigan Sen. Gary Peters backs Haley Stevens in contentious race to succeed him
Retiring Michigan Sen. Gary Peters is endorsing U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens to succeed him. The Michigan Democratic primary between Stevens and progressive favorite Abdul El-Sayed has grown increasingly contentious.
Kansas business law expert strives for competitive balance in U.S. House race
Colin McRoberts is a Lawrence attorney seeking the Democratic Party's nomination in the 1st congressional district — a seat held by GOP Rep. Tracey Mann.
Left-wing challengers are beating House Democrats. These incumbents could be next.
Democratic incumbents have struggled against democratic socialists in several primaries this year. For other lawmakers, age has become a campaign issue.
$10 Kalshi referral code “OREGONLIVE1” extended to politics odds
Kalshi referral code OREGONLIVE1 unlocks a Spend $10, Get $10 bonus, now valid on politics. See live Kalshi All-Star Game and 2028 Democratic nominee odds.
The Weiser-Bennet primary election political geography
Regional analysis of the vote in the recent Democratic Party primary election for governor of Colorado shows primary election winner Phil Weiser sweeping the Denver metropolitan area with 59.4% of the vote. Weiser’s losing opponent, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, garnered only 40.6% of the Denver metro vote. There were just the two candidates in the […]
'We're uniting Texas' Talarico rallies El Paso voters in US Senate race
Democratic James Talarico brought his U.S. Senate campaign to El Paso, calling on voters to fight against a \
The Return of the Democratic Manly Man
The party has a new campaign strategy: masculinity.
Israel’s war in Gaza dominates US midterm races as Democrats split
Tensions between progressive and moderate camps of Democratic party on display in key Senate race in Michigan
Alaska Senate race pits Sullivan vs. Sullivan. Is it a plot?
In Alaska, Dan Sullivan is facing Dan Sullivan in one of the country's most competitive contests. Is it a plot to boost the Democratic challenger, Mary Peltola, or mere coincidence? It sure smells fishy.
Democratic congressman says he was detained in the West Bank
The Israeli Defense Forces denied detaining any visitors in the incident
An American Politician is Blocked by Israeli Settlers in the West Bank
Representative Ro Khanna was barred from leaving for 90 minutes. Where past U.S. leaders toured the region to show support for Israel, today’s Democratic presidential aspirants are going to bolster their credentials as critics.
Michigan Democrats are angry at their party. Abdul El-Sayed thinks he knows why
Key Democratic establishment figures believe Abdul El-Sayed will blow the party’s chances of holding onto a critical Senate seat this fall. He is out to prove them wrong — and to show that they misunderstand what voters really crave.
In R.I., incumbent governor faces rocky road to reelection
Polls show Rhode Island Governor Daniel McKee 20 percentage points behind in a Democratic primary rematch amid political fallout from the Washington Bridge closure.
Here are the races to watch as Democrats grow more bullish on retaking the Senate
The map still favors Republicans, but political headwinds are shifting to boost Democratic chances of flipping seats — despite the scandal in Maine.
GOP calls them 'communists.' Here's what democratic socialists believe
Democratic socialists like AOC and Zohran Mamdani have made inroads in some cities. Republicans call them communists but the ideologies differ.
Krull Commentary: McConnell, Platner and the politics of entitlement
This column was originally published by TheStatehouseFile.com. By John Krull TheStatehouseFile.com July 10, 2026 The medical mystery surrounding U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, and the political meltdown of Maine Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner together illustrate much of what is wrong with American politics today. Many, many ambitious people in this country see running
Graham Platner makes it official in Maine, submitting paperwork to leave Senate race
In his withdrawal notice, Platner said "people are desperate for change" and that's why they made him the Democratic nominee. Now, Maine Democrats have to pick someone to replace him by July 27.
McConnell, Platner and the politics of entitlement
The medical mystery surrounding U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, and the political meltdown of Maine Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner together illustrate much of what is wrong with American
This Philly-based political firm is at the center of the Graham Platner fallout
FIGHT, which has faced criticism for its role in Platner's campaign, is also working with Democratic candidates in two key Pennsylvania congressional races.
Graham Platner makes it official in Maine, submitting paperwork to leave Senate race
In his withdrawal notice, Platner said "people are desperate for change" and that's why they made him the Democratic nominee. Now, Maine Democrats have to pick someone to replace him by July 27.
15 states sue Trump administration to block school mental health funding cuts
Fifteen states on Friday sued the Trump administration to prevent millions of dollars in cuts to school-based mental health funding. The new lawsuit is part of an ongoing legal battle between Democratic-led states and the U.S. Department of Education over a mental health grant program that Congress established following the 2018 school shooting at Marjory […]
How Maine's Democratic meltdown could shape the Senate midterms
Collapse of Democrats' Maine Senate campaign highlights divisions within the party.
Mamdani’s preening arrogance will ultimately prove his downfall
The democratic socialist balloon deflated this week.
Trump fires members of bipartisan elections commission
President Donald Trump fired two Democratic members of the Elections Assistance Commission and received the resignation of a Republican member.
Socialists launch radical platform to abolish the US Senate in bid to fundamentally transform America
The Democratic Socialists of America plans to unveil a platform eliminating the Senate and replacing the president with an executive chosen by Congress.
Harold Ford Jr: Our character standards have changed in politics
‘The Five’ analyzes the Democratic Party’s path forward after Graham Platner dropped out of the Maine U.S. Senate race.
A new speech shows how Israel lost the Democratic party
Rahm Emanuel and the death of the pro-Israel Democrat.
Democratic socialist Francesca Hong tests how far left voters will go in battleground Wisconsin
Over the last month, Democratic socialists have notched victories in the liberal strongholds of New York City, Washington, D.C., and Denver.
Haley Stevens knows how to win in Michigan. Dems must decide if that's enough to win the Senate
Holding Michigan’s Senate seat is essential to any Democratic path back to the Senate majority this fall.
Democrats seek a way forward amid finger-pointing in Maine
Leaders of the Maine Democratic Party are still working toward a process to replace Graham Platner, without angering his supporters.
Can't believe 'moral depravity' of the Democratic Party, political commentator expresses
'Fox News @ Night' panelists Brianna Lyman and Shirin Yadegar discuss Graham Platner's withdrawal from the Maine Senate race following allegations against him.
City Government Is the Latest Proving Ground for Socialist Politics
A new stream of leftist candidates for local office is vowing to lower the cost of living for everyone. How much runway will they get?
Victor Marx defeats Barb Kirkmeyer as Colorado’s Republican gubernatorial primary crosses finish line
Republican Victor Marx won Colorado’s Republican gubernatorial nomination on Thursday after maintaining a razor-thin lead over state Sen. Barb Kirkmeyer for more than a week as county clerks finished reporting final, unofficial vote totals. Marx, a missionary leader and first-time candidate, will face Democratic nominee Attorney General Phil Weiser in November for the office held […]
Talarico polling stronger with Texas' Black voters than expected, but enthusiasm questions remain
Recent polling from The Texas Politics Project suggests Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico is performing better with Black voters than his predecessors were at this point in their campaigns.
Republican Tano Tijerina now criticizes his Democratic opponent Henry Cuellar
Democrats say Tijerina’s shots are “political opportunism” and criticize the judge for trying to downplay Cuellar’s work for the region.
Republican Tano Tijerina now criticizes his Democratic opponent Henry Cuellar
Democrats say Tijerina’s shots are “political opportunism” and criticize the judge for trying to downplay Cuellar’s work for the region.
Patrick Dempsey says he's not running for Senate in Maine as Democrats weigh a replacement
The “Grey’s Anatomy” star quashed speculation that he was among those being considered to replace embattled Democratic nominee Graham Platner.
Platner’s Exit Sets Off Scramble for New Senate Candidate in Maine
The state Democratic Party has said it will pick a replacement through a nominating convention before a July 27 deadline. Candidates are already lining up.
Health workers fighting Ebola go on strike after months without pay
Doctors and Nurses on the front lines of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola response have reached a breaking point.
Philadelphia’s politics were reshaped by the effort to win the 1936 Democratic Convention
Before 1936, Philadelphia was a rock-ribbed Republican city, but the effort led by businessman Albert Greenfield to lure the convention turned it into a Democratic bastion.
A democratic socialist in Wisconsin tests how far left voters want to go in a battleground state
Democratic socialists have recently won elections in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Denver
Analysis | Democratic Party fissures are shaping Michigan’s crucial Senate primary
The race is the next, and perhaps biggest, battle between the Democrats’ warring factions.
Maine Democrats plan convention to replace Platner
The Maine Democratic Party has voted to hold a convention now that Graham Platner has announced he'll drop out of the U.S. Senate race.
Analysis | Can working-class roots help Democrats win back working-class voters?
Democratic gubernatorial candidates are running on personal working-class stories.
Senate hopeful Haley Stevens knows how to win in Michigan. Democrats must decide if that's enough
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens is closing Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary by arguing she is the party’s strongest candidate to beat Republicans
Graham Platner drops out of U.S. Senate race, opening narrow path to replace him
Graham Platner's exit from the race comes just days before a statutory deadline allowing the Maine Democratic Party to replace him by July 27. So far, party leaders aren't saying how that process is going to work.
Graham Platner drops out of Senate race, allowing Maine Democrats to replace him
His decision comes within days of a key deadline, allowing Maine’s Democratic Party to select a new candidate to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a critical contest for Senate control.
Graham Platner drops Maine Senate bid, clearing way for Democrats to pick new nominee
Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner said Wednesday he was ending his campaign, clearing the way for Democrats to select a new candidate to take on Republican Sen. Susan Collins in one of the most important contests of November’s midterm elections.
Patrick Dempsey doesn’t want to replace Graham Platner in Maine U.S. Senate race
In a new op-ed, Patrick Dempsey declared he’s ‘concerned about the direction our country is heading,’ but will not replace Graham Platner in the Maine U.S. Senate race after calls mount for the Democratic nominee to drop out following sexual assault allegations against him.
Democratic fighting escalates in Maine as Graham Platner stalls on making a decision
Platner’s campaign and the state party have been publicly sparring, with the campaign denying it’s trying to unduly influence who would replace him as the Senate nominee.
Democratic Senate Hopeful Abdul El-Sayed Is Running Against Both Parties
His progressive campaign's strength in Michigan has caught some Democrats off guard
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear asks Sen. Mitch McConnell for a health update
The Democratic governor’s letter comes weeks after the 84-year-old lawmaker entered the hospital for reasons he hasn’t explained.
Actors’ Equity, IATSE, Local 802 AFM Endorse New York Gov. Hochul
Actors’ Equity, IATSE and AFM Local 802 are backing the Democratic incumbent for reelection, citing her support for the industry.
Trump denies disaster aid for four Democratic-led states
The move deepens what Democrats say is the president's politicization of federal emergency management decisions.
Rahm Emanuel warns that Israel has become a 'territorial pariah' in a blistering speech
Rahm Emanuel, a potential Democratic presidential candidate, warns that Israel is becoming isolated due to its leadership.
Gov. Beshear urges McConnell to be ‘transparent’ and give an update on his health
The Democratic governor said “Kentuckians have grown increasingly concerned” about Sen. Mitch McConnell’s health as his office has declined to give details on his hospitalization.
Michigan Democratic lawmakers introduce legislation to curb campaign spending power of corporations
State Rep. Betsy Coffia, a Democrat from Traverse City, and state Sen. Sean McCann, a Kalamazoo Democrat, introduced legislation in their respective chambers last week to limit the powers of business corporations, nonprofit corporations and limited liability companies to participate in campaign spending.
Trump denies disaster aid for four Democratic-led states
The move deepens what Democrats say is the president's politicization of federal emergency management decisions.
In Maine, voters consider their options as they await Platner’s decision
With the embattled Democratic Senate nominee under pressure to leave the key race, other politicians are maneuvering to replace him on the ballot.
Succession fight under way as Bernie Sanders calls for Platner to drop out of Maine Senate race
Vermont senator is latest figure to call for Democratic nominee to step down after sexual assault allegations
Why a bitter health care fight is at the center of a high-stakes House battle
Rep. Mike Lawler is bracing for a barrage of Democratic attacks over cuts to care and hospitals.
Hungary moves to overhaul university models banned from Horizon Europe
Hungary’s new government is aiming to overhaul the governance model of the institutions and universities that lost access to Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ funds “in a short timeframe,” according to Péter Horváth, the new state secretary for science policy and innovation. “As of today, the two non-university foundation-controlled institutions under my remit have been transformed,” he told Science|Business. “We hope the universities will follow and that this will be enough to satisfy the EU’s demands.”Under the previous government, led by Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party, many academic and scientific institutions were restructured and made into special public trust foundations, with members strongly linked to the government given lifelong mandates and significant decision-making powers with little oversight. The European Commission deemed that this undermined academic freedom and transparency in the country, leading to a ban on 34 institutions in 2022, including 21 universities, which saw academics in Hungary lose access to Horizon Europe grants. The new Hungarian government, elected in May and led by Péter Magyar and his Tisza Party, has promised to dismantle this governance model and restore the institutions to EU programmes. As a result, the European Commission has promised to return access to the Erasmus+ education mobility programme, but so far no concrete agreement has been made on the Horizon Europe programme for research and innovation. Hungary has already made legislative changes in June to allow the institutions to be reformed and set a timeline for the implementation.The non-university foundations, which are mainly cultural centres such as the Foundation for Hungarian Culture or the Makovecz Campus Foundation, will all be dissolved by August 31 this year, a date tied to EU-set milestones that Hungary must meet to unlock frozen funds, with control transferred to relevant ministries. Meanwhile, the universities will have until 31 August 2027. For each university foundation, the government will set the dissolution date and the body to take over operations. There is no final decision on a permanent new model for the universities, according to Hungarian MEP Eszter Lakos, who is shadow rapporteur for the Horizon Europe specific programme, a separate piece of legislation detailing implementation rules for the EU’s next research programme, due to start in 2028. “The aim of the transition year is to settle this with [the universities], not to impose a model, and not to put them under state control,” she told Science|Business. “The goal is to give academic independence back to universities.”There are three models that are most likely to be implemented. One would be a return to a traditional, state-run model. Another could be a newer, more self-standing public institution. A third option would be a reformed version of the foundation models that meet EU standards. According to Lakos, the dismantling of the system put in place by the Orbán government is well underway and if all goes according to plan, Hungary could regain access to EU research money by the start of the next academic year in 2027. “I believe that the Hungarian government is doing the necessary changes so the universities could return as beneficiaries to Horizon from the next school year,” she said. In the meantime, “the universities, institutes and cultural assets carry on under proper public stewardship rather than a handful of unaccountable trustees,” said Lakos. The laws passed in June impose new safeguards: board terms are capped at four years and renewable only once, appointments are made through open competitions and sitting politicians cannot join joining these boards.It remains unclear whether a domestic science funding programme set up as a back-up scheme by the former government following the EU funding ban, called HU-rizon, could be continued. “This programme should never have had to have been established in the first place, but it has proven to be quite popular,” he said. “I am considering continuing this programme with a refined focus on helping international collaborations.”Re-organising the research network One of the first priorities for Horváth and his cabinet is to resolve questions over the future of the Hungarian Research Network, Hun-Ren. The network of academic institutes was taken away from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 2019 and turned into a quasi-private organisation, with similarities in its governance to the public trust foundations.Horváth and his team have consulted over 5,000 representatives from the network and the conclusion is broad unhappiness with the directors of all the institutes involved. “We have presented the results to the president and the chief executive of the network and this is currently being discussed,” Horváth said. The plan is to re-integrate the network back into the Academy of Sciences but in an improved way, “learning from mistakes of the past,” he added. The government also wants to reintegrate four humanities and social science research centres into the network that the previous government had transferred to Eötvös Loránd University. The transfer brought sharp criticism from the academic community, with a group of Hungarian research heads, including European Research Council grant recipients, sending an open letter to Orbán warning that the transfer would “cause historically significant harm to the entirety of Hungarian scientific life.” The transfer was “one of the biggest shames in Hungarian research in the past 20 years,” Horváth said. “We want to immediately re-integrate them back into the research network and to regain the trust of these institutions, because the way they were treated was really unfair.”Another pressing issue is the Élvonal Excellence Research and Talent Development Foundation, led by Nobel laureate Ferenc Krausz. The foundation signed a financing agreement with the former government earlier this year for a budget of over €730 million over the next five years. The goal is to create a world-class centre to attract top talent from abroad and to develop local researchers. But there was little transparency about this foundation, and news of its huge budget, which is nearly as much as Hungary’s entire research budget, caused a stir in the media following the recent elections. Another issue is that, as with the foundation boards of the institutes banned from Horizon Europe, there was little-to-no oversight of decisions led by Krausz. “It was an excellent idea but an unacceptable execution,” Horváth said of the foundation. “The fact that this is out of the Hungarian funding scheme, mostly concentrating on one person who decides on the budget is unacceptable for us.”The government plans to merge the centre with the National Research, Development and Innovation Office, the country’s R&D funding agency, with a reduced budget. Horváth is hopeful that Krausz will still be involved. The new government’s R&D goalsA phrase that crops up regularly during the discussion with Horváth is “democratic process.” The new state secretary is determined to involve Hungary’s research community in shaping future policies. This marks a departure from the previous government’s approach, and several people in Hungary’s research community have commented on the openness of the new government. In terms of concrete goals, Horváth and his team already have plans. He wants to create a new science fund in Hungary, based on the best practices of other European countries. The fund would not be tied to annual government budgets and would provide long-term, stable financing. “If we were to succeed in creating this fund, then I think it would be one of the biggest achievements for me in this period of government,” Horváth said. On the innovation side, he is looking into how best to bring in the private sector. “We want to make sure that we are working with the private sector to support innovation,” Horváth said. One of his big aims is to introduce entrepreneurship teaching into high schools. Hungary already has a reputable national academy offering research and innovation training in the field of natural sciences, and Horváth wants to expand this to all disciplines and across the whole country. “One of the main ways to elevate our innovative businesses is to teach our children to be innovative,” he said. “This will probably need ten years to pay off, but this is what we should do. Our aim is to make Hungary strong in our region, and this is what is needed.” Related articlesHungary’s Horizon Europe performance in numbersCommission unlocks Erasmus+ cash for Hungary, Horizon could be next‘Academic Huxit.’ Hungarian researchers speak out on impact of EU ban A more difficult task will be funding. The new government is aiming to increase research spending to 2% of the GDP by 2030, and then increase it to 3% in line with EU objectives. Currently, spending sits around 1.3%. But according to Horváth, the current budget, inherited from the previous government, is “heavily in the negative,” so any plans to increase research spending will have to start next year. Achieving 2% by 2030 already needs a big push, almost doubling the research budget. “This is something we’d definitely like to reach, and something I can see us achieving,” he said. “From the 2030s, I’d like to see an innovative generation growing up that can help us reach the 3% target.” Positivity in the new governmentDespite the many challenges facing Horváth and his team, the mood is positive. “It feels a bit like a start-up right now. Everyone is working 24/7, day and night, trying to do as much as they can. There is a lot of energy,” he said. It is a big change for the state secretary who, like many in his cabinet, is coming from a background in research or business, and not in politics. “Six weeks ago, I was sitting with my microscope and my research PhDs, so it’s been a big change for me,” said the computer scientist, who was previously the director of the Institute of Biochemistry at the Hun-Ren Biological Research Centre in Hungary and worked at the Institute for AI for Health at Helmholtz Munich. But he is relishing the task to transform the country’s R&D landscape. “We feel enormous support from the Hungarian people, but also from Europe,” he said. “We’ve received a lot of letters of support from around Europe. There is big trust there, and huge responsibility on our side. We want to get everything back on track, and there’s a lot to do.”
The Low-Key Lawyer at the Center of the Search for a Platner Replacement
Charles Dingman, chair of the Maine Democratic Party and a progressive, would play a key role in choosing the state’s Democratic Senate candidate if Graham Platner leaves the race.
El-Sayed, Stevens trade pointed barbs in Democratic US Senate debate
With four weeks to go until the Aug. 4 primary, the two Democrats held a debate in Grand Rapids hosted by WOOD-TV8
Dem civil war hits primary debate stage as El-Sayed and Stevens clash: 'What are you hiding?'
Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens clashed in a fiery Michigan Senate debate as the Democratic primary exposes a rift between progressives and moderates.
The 2028 redistricting wars have already begun
The Maryland legislature is set to convene a special session next month after Democratic lawmakers proposed a constitutional amendment on redistricting.
Platner’s three-day vetting job comes back to haunt Dems as rape allegation rocks Senate bid
Democratic operatives paid only $6,250 for a rushed background check on Graham Platner, missing a Nazi tattoo, rape allegations, and Reddit posts.
Bernie Sanders calls on Graham Platner to drop Senate bid
The senator from Vermont has been a key backer of the insurgent Democratic candidate in Maine.
Rahm Emanuel to deliver bracing message in Tel Aviv as American politics shifting against Israel
Rahm Emanuel, a potential Democratic presidential candidate and longtime defender of Israel, will denounce Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv this week and deliver a bracing message that the country's relationship with the United States is "at a crossroads."
Why Democrats need Graham Platner to go away
A lot of people called for Graham Platner to drop out of Maine’s Senate race Monday night, after a rape allegation surfaced against the Democratic nominee. But relatively few of them were Republicans.
People Who Should Never Work in Democratic Politics Again
With the Platner disaster, it’s the Democratic Party’s turn to confront how easily it was manipulated by ideologues.
Rahm Emanuel will assail Netanyahu in Tel Aviv speech as American politics shift against Israel
Rahm Emanuel, a potential Democratic presidential candidate and longtime defender of Israel, will denounce Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv this week and deliver a bracing message that the country’s relationship with the United…
Rahm Emanuel will assail Netanyahu in Tel Aviv speech as American politics shift against Israel
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rahm Emanuel, a potential Democratic presidential candidate and longtime defender of Israel, will denounce Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv this week and deliver a br…
Rahm Emanuel will assail Netanyahu in Tel Aviv speech as American politics shift against Israel
WASHINGTON (AP) — Rahm Emanuel, a potential Democratic presidential candidate and longtime defender of Israel, will denounce Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv this week and deliver a bracing message that the country's relationship with the United States is “at a crossroads.”
Rahm Emanuel will warn Israel-US ties at crossroads in Tel Aviv speech
Potential Democratic presidential candidate Rahm Emanuel plans to deliver a strong message in Tel Aviv about U.S.-Israeli relations being "at a crossroads."
Key Democratic figures call on Graham Platner to ‘immediately’ withdraw from Senate race
Maine’s party leadership calls for Platner to withdraw after after sexual assault allegation emerges
As Israel becomes Democratic litmus test, Jewish progressives warn about a tilt into antisemitism
For many liberals, longtime policy priorities like universal healthcare or stopping climate change are now intertwined with opposing Israel. An ascendant faction of the left argues there’s no such thing anymore as “progressive except for Palestine” — a phrase that took off in the years following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack and the ensuing war in Gaza — and sees opposition to Israel as a Democratic litmus test.
Rahm Emanuel to tell Israel its alliance with the U.S. cannot ‘survive as it has been’
In a Tel Aviv speech Wednesday, the presidential prospect plans to warn that Israel faces a “dead end” without change, a move reflecting Democratic pressure.
Platner Faces Growing Democratic Calls to Drop Out
Even supporters like Representative Ro Khanna of California called on the Democratic nominee to exit the Maine Senate race after a report that he had sexually assaulted a woman.
Stevens courts McMorrow supporters, leans into electability pitch at small business visit
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, a Democratic candidate in a U.S. Senate primary that is now a two-person race, drew hard lines between herself and her primary opponent, former Wayne County Health Department executive Abdul El-Sayed, in a visit to Sea Leveaux, a Cajun boil restaurant in downtown Lansing that opened on Thursday.
Trump administration denies disaster declaration for record R.I. blizzard
The state’s Democratic congressional delegation criticizes President Trump for politicizing disaster aid, telling him, “You chose to leave Rhode Islanders out in the cold.”
Woman accuses Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner of sexual assault
Democratic candidate for Senate, who has faced series of scandals, denies allegation reported by Politico
New criminal justice laws crack down on gangs and where mental health evaluations are conducted
Democratic Gov. Josh Stein signed four Republican-led bills Monday updating mental health laws, increasing penalties for gang-related crime, amending local parking requirements and making technical changes to state agency operations.
Supreme Court ruling may wipe out Democrats' cash advantage in Senate battlegrounds
The GOP and Democratic national committees, others can now spend unlimited funds from their big donors in coordination with political campaigns.
Democratic socialists give new life to Medicare for All
The affordability crisis and frustration with the health system are fueling a new appetite for big-government solutions.
How Hakeem Jeffries is handling the most divisive issue in Democratic politics
The minority leader is letting his caucus hash out their Israel disagreements over a series of private conversations, withholding his own guidance for now.
Politics Unplugged (Full Episode) July 5, 2026
State Senator Analise Ortiz discusses No Safe Seats, an effort to raise money for progressive Democrats who are challenging establishment Democrats in the state. Plus, former Democratic lawmaker Reginald Bolding and Republican businesswoman Christine Jones discuss the Supreme Court ruling upholding birthright citizenship. Then, Reginald and Christine talk about the Department of Justice investigation into Senator Roben Gallego.
Democrat Mallory McMorrow suspends her Michigan Senate campaign and scrambles the pivotal race
McMorrow’s exit comes after many Democrats increasingly viewed her as a long shot for the nomination. It also creates a fresh dynamic in one of the country’s most closely watched Senate races.
Analyzing the influence of Democratic socialism in US politics
A ‘Fox News Sunday’ panel analyzes the reach and influence of Democratic socialists in the United States.
Mallory McMorrow ends bid for Democratic Senate nomination in Michigan
The state senator’s decision sets up a two-person Aug. 4 primary showdown between former public health official Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Haley Stevens.
Mallory McMorrow drops out of Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary
Mallory McMorrow dropped out of the Democratic Senate primary in Michigan on Sunday, narrowing the field to two as the party faces a crucial choice next month in picking a nominee to defend a must-win seat.
As socialism rises in popularity, GOP turns to a new attack: ‘Communists’
Democratic voters are shifting to the left in primaries. Republicans are doing the same with the labels they use to paint them as extreme.
Political cartoons for July 5
Sunday's political cartoons include a big yawn, democratic socialism, and more
Inside California Politics: Will ballot measures drive turnout in November?
A month past the primary, election season has hit a lull before campaigns reach full swing in the fall. On Inside California Politics this week, host Nikki Laurenzo sat down with two political insiders to discuss various candidates and campaigns: Republican strategist Rob Stutzman and Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta.
A Jolly campaign in Florida amid an angry Democratic summer
David Jolly is a Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat who’s trying to flip Florida at a time when the party’s disruptors are surging.
Colorado primary election voters shake things up
Every election has its surprises, but last Tuesday’s Colorado primary election results gave us several unexpected outcomes. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennett lost his bid to switch from the U.S. Senate and become Colorado’s next governor. Meanwhile, progressive Democratic U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, from Denver, who had served 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, […]