Johnson stalls AOC momentum

The Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as the next director of national intelligence last night, but current acting director Bill Pulte hopes to delay the hand-off. Either way, expect to see more of Pulte, who has become “bros” with President Trump. Meanwhile, after glowing reports on Trump’s meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Washington is watching for what comes next. And a familiar pandemic-era face returns to the nation's capital today.   For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

Power players convene today in the nation’s capital to honor the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.  Attendees include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who both will be meeting with Trump. Meanwhile, Laura Loomer is on a mission to dig up dirt on fellow conservative influencers, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman makes his way to the White House to discuss Trump’s June AI executive order.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

President Donald Trump is pushing for polarizing legislation to be folded into a budget resolution. But will Senate Majority Leader John Thune even bring the resolution to the floor? Meanwhile, there's a long list of other items on the Senate's agenda as it heads into crunch time before its August recess. And the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's funeral is brining foreign leaders—including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—to Washington, teeing up high-stakes conversations on the wars in Iran and Ukraine.   For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

California Attorney General Rob Bonta joins Dasha to explain why he’s trying to block Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, and defends California’s antitrust agenda. He also weighs in on AI regulation, election security and why says his office will keep suing President Trump whenever it believes the law has been broken.  Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

This weekend kicks off with take-two of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, but this time around expect higher tensions and fewer attendees in the room. Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee’s Rules and Bylaws Committee is debating which states will vote first in the 2028 presidential primaries. And Maine Democrats prepare to nominate their Graham Platner replacement for a critical Senate race just months before the midterms.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

As Congress races toward the August recess, one bipartisan bill is glaringly missing from the House agenda. The Defiance Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, passed the Senate unanimously, so what’s the hold up in the House? Meanwhile, President Donald Trump announced a new round of tariffs on Canada. Are they a key negotiating chip or a political liability headed towards the midterms?  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

Anxiety over the war in Iran ripples across Trump’s orbit as some GOP operatives warn that the White House is caught in an “escalation trap” ahead of the midterms. Meanwhile, MAGA Inc., the megadonor-funded super PAC, sits on a $400 million war chest. But when will Republican candidates get access to this bounty? And on Capitol Hill, Trump is seeing some victories as Congressional allies prioritize war funding and the SAVE America Act, but key hurdles lie ahead.  For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

It’s kitchen sink week on Capitol Hill as House Speaker Mike Johnson rushes to schedule votes on key issues like a CR and the NDAA before lawmakers leave for August recess. But with no recent legislative wins, how will Congress members stump in their districts ahead of the midterms? Meanwhile in the Grand Canyon state, Republicans are attempting to bridge the divide between hard-liner politicians and a more moderate voter base. And filings for Sen. Lindsey Graham’s replacement open today, with Darline Graham already in the mix.   For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

AOC hit the campaign trail in Michigan over the weekend alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders. She’s rallying for Abdul El-Sayed in his race against Congresswoman Haley Stevens, but is there subtext of an AOC 2028 bid? Meanwhile, the Vance-Rubio succession race is getting spicier. Polls show Vance at the forefront, but there’s only one poll that matters in the White House: President Trump’s. And, how the new Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” became the latest site of the culture wars.   For more news and analysis, subscribe to the Playbook newsletter: politico.com/playbook 

Abdul El-Sayed – the progressive former public health official running for the Democratic nomination in Michigan's open Senate seat – joins Dasha to explain why he believes "both parties are lying" to working Americans, unleashes on the ‘hypocrisy’ of the Democratic establishment, and defends his record on “Defund the Police,” ICE, socialism and more.  Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.