WEATHER ALERT
Trump administration issues demands on Harvard as conditions for billions in federal money
Read full article: Trump administration issues demands on Harvard as conditions for billions in federal moneySome alumni want Harvard to resist Trump administration demands the university must meet as a condition for receiving $9 billion in federal grants and contracts being threatened during an investigation into campus antisemitism.
The Latest: Crushing Wall Street losses as China retaliates and inflation risks grow
Read full article: The Latest: Crushing Wall Street losses as China retaliates and inflation risks growWorld shares slid downward, U.S. futures fell and Wall Street appeared on track for another day of crushing losses Friday as investors counted the potential costs of U.S. President Donald Trumpโs latest set of tariffs โ including Chinaโs retaliatory match of a 34% tariff on imports of all U.S. products.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gears up for potential Senate run after bribery probe dismissed
Read full article: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton gears up for potential Senate run after bribery probe dismissedAfter months of hinting at a run for U.S. Senate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's path has become clearer since the dismissal of a federal investigation.
Federal officials are quietly terminating the legal residency of some international college students
Read full article: Federal officials are quietly terminating the legal residency of some international college studentsA crackdown on foreign students is alarming college leaders, who say the Trump administration is using new tactics and vague justifications to push some students out of the country.
Supporters rally in support of a Maryland man mistakenly deported to an El Salvador prison
Read full article: Supporters rally in support of a Maryland man mistakenly deported to an El Salvador prisonThe wife of a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador is calling for his return to the U.S. Jennifer Vasquez Sura hasnโt spoken to her husband, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, since he was flown to his native El Salvador last month.
Trump abruptly fires the 4-star general who headed the National Security Agency
Read full article: Trump abruptly fires the 4-star general who headed the National Security AgencyU.S. officials and members of Congress say President Donald Trump has abruptly fired the director of the National Security Agency.
Brown University to see half a billion in federal funding halted by Trump administration
Read full article: Brown University to see half a billion in federal funding halted by Trump administrationA White House official says the Trump administration is planning to halt more than half a billion dollars in contracts and grants awarded to Brown University.
Republicans moving ahead with Trump's 'big' bill of tax breaks and spending cuts amid tariff uproar
Read full article: Republicans moving ahead with Trump's 'big' bill of tax breaks and spending cuts amid tariff uproarAfter a long wait, the Senate is launching action on President Donald Trumpโs โโbig, beautiful billโ of tax breaks and spending cuts.
A look at Laura Loomer, longtime Trump ally criticized for racist posts and Sept. 11 conspiracies
Read full article: A look at Laura Loomer, longtime Trump ally criticized for racist posts and Sept. 11 conspiraciesLaura Loomer, a right-wing personality known for her incendiary social media presence, appeared to have President Donald Trump's ear again.
States sue to block Trump's election order, saying it violates the Constitution
Read full article: States sue to block Trump's election order, saying it violates the ConstitutionThe White House is criticizing Democrats' lawsuit against President Donald Trumpโs attempt to reshape elections.
Trump says things are 'going very well' after worst stock market drop in years over tariffs
Read full article: Trump says things are 'going very well' after worst stock market drop in years over tariffsPresident Donald Trump is sounding an upbeat note about his tariffs even as the stock market reacted by falling more than 1,600 points.
Federal judge rules action against NEA unnecessary after it backed off bans on gender ideology
Read full article: Federal judge rules action against NEA unnecessary after it backed off bans on gender ideologyA federal judge has denied a motion to block the National Endowment for the Arts from barring funds to artists whose projects promote gender ideology, saying the agency no longer was doing that.
Senate confirms Mehmet Oz to take lead of Medicare and Medicaid agency
Read full article: Senate confirms Mehmet Oz to take lead of Medicare and Medicaid agencyFormer heart surgeon and TV pitchman Dr. Mehmet Oz was confirmed Thursday to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Pence will get the Profile in Courage Award from JFK Library Foundation for his actions on Jan. 6
Read full article: Pence will get the Profile in Courage Award from JFK Library Foundation for his actions on Jan. 6Former Vice President Mike Pence will receive the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for his refusal to go along with President Donald Trumpโs efforts to remain in office after losing the 2020 election.
Democrats take hope in flipping a county in a ruby red corner of the Florida Panhandle
Read full article: Democrats take hope in flipping a county in a ruby red corner of the Florida PanhandleWhen the results for Tuesday's special election in Florida came in, Democrat Gay Valimont had fallen short of winning a congressional seat that few thought she had a chance to claim.
Trump's tariffs aren't strictly reciprocal. Here's how he calculated them
Read full article: Trump's tariffs aren't strictly reciprocal. Here's how he calculated themPresident Donald Trump promised tariffs that would raise U.S. import taxes high enough to mirror what others assess as trade penalties on American goods.
K-12 schools must sign certification against DEI to receive federal money, administration says
Read full article: K-12 schools must sign certification against DEI to receive federal money, administration saysAs a condition for receiving federal money, the Trump administration is ordering K-12 schools to they're following federal civil rights laws and ending any discriminatory diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
EEOC chief shifts focus to investigating DEI but the methods provoke an outcry
Read full article: EEOC chief shifts focus to investigating DEI but the methods provoke an outcryThe acting chief of the top federal agency for protecting worker rights has signaled a pivot toward prioritizing President Donald Trumpโs campaign to stamp out diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the private and public sectors.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams will skip the Democratic primary and run for reelection as an independent
Read full article: NYC Mayor Eric Adams will skip the Democratic primary and run for reelection as an independentNew York City Mayor Eric Adams says he will pull out of the cityโs Democratic primary and will instead run for reelection as an independent candidate.
Trump's changes to the federal government aren't yet a clear political winner or loser: AP-NORC poll
Read full article: Trump's changes to the federal government aren't yet a clear political winner or loser: AP-NORC pollPresident Donald Trumpโs dramatic changes to the federal government havenโt emerged as an obvious political winner or loser.
The Latest: Trumpโs new tariffs lead to the biggest Dow wipeout since 2020
Read full article: The Latest: Trumpโs new tariffs lead to the biggest Dow wipeout since 2020Financial markets around the world are reeling following President Donald Trumpโs latest and most severe volley of tariffs.
Georgia Democrats' frustration with anti-transgender bills boils over into a walkout
Read full article: Georgia Democrats' frustration with anti-transgender bills boils over into a walkoutBoxed into a vote on outlawing spending on gender affirming care for transgender prisoners, Georgia Democrats chose a third option Wednesday.
Answering your questions about President Trump's vast new tariffs
Read full article: Answering your questions about President Trump's vast new tariffsAfter weeks of anticipation and speculation, President Donald Trump followed through on his reciprocal tariff threats by declaring on Wednesday a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries and higher tariff rates on dozens of nations that run trade surpluses with the United States.
Democrats demoralized by Trump get a boost from Wisconsin voters and Cory Booker's speech
Read full article: Democrats demoralized by Trump get a boost from Wisconsin voters and Cory Booker's speechDemocratic leaders are sharing a rare moment of relief โ if not celebration โ as they cling to election results from Wisconsin and Florida that offered a glimmer of hope for their party.
Federal judge questions whether EPA move to rapidly cancel 'green bank' grants was legal
Read full article: Federal judge questions whether EPA move to rapidly cancel 'green bank' grants was legalU.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Wednesday questioned a Department of Justice attorney over whether the Environmental Protection Agency violated the law when it terminated $20 billion in green bank grants allegedly without following the proper process.
Social Security's acting leader faces calls to resign over decision to cut Maine contracts
Read full article: Social Security's acting leader faces calls to resign over decision to cut Maine contractsThe Social Security Administrationโs acting commissioner is facing calls to resign after he issued an order that would have required Maine parents to register their newborns for Social Security numbers at a federal office rather than the hospital.
Once common, now unusual: Conservative candidate publicly quashes shouts that the other side cheated
Read full article: Once common, now unusual: Conservative candidate publicly quashes shouts that the other side cheatedThe conservative-backed loser of Wisconsin's Supreme Court election promptly conceded the race as it was called, angering his own supporters, who yelled for him to stay in the fight.
Supreme Court appears divided over whether states can cut off Planned Parenthood funding
Read full article: Supreme Court appears divided over whether states can cut off Planned Parenthood fundingThe Supreme Court has appeared divided in a case over whether states should be able to cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood.
District attorney lashes out at ICE for detaining suspect in Boston during a trial
Read full article: District attorney lashes out at ICE for detaining suspect in Boston during a trialA district attorney in Boston has harshly criticized the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after one of its agents detained a suspect while he was on trial.
Outrage grows over Maryland man's mistaken deportation to El Salvador prison
Read full article: Outrage grows over Maryland man's mistaken deportation to El Salvador prisonIn the 22 days since Maryland resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to a notoriously violent prison in El Salvador, his young autistic son has sought comfort in the scent of his missing fatherโs clothes.
Senate rebukes Trumpโs tariffs as some Republicans vote to halt taxes on Canadian imports
Read full article: Senate rebukes Trumpโs tariffs as some Republicans vote to halt taxes on Canadian importsThe Senate has passed a resolution that would thwart President Donald Trumpโs ability to impose tariffs on Canada.
Wisconsin Supreme Court to tackle abortion, unions and redistricting after a liberal's win
Read full article: Wisconsin Supreme Court to tackle abortion, unions and redistricting after a liberal's winSusan Crawfordโs Wisconsin Supreme Court election victory over a conservative candidate backed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk cements a liberal majority on the stateโs top court for at least three more years.
Biden's top health official, Xavier Becerra, enters the race to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom
Read full article: Biden's top health official, Xavier Becerra, enters the race to succeed California Gov. Gavin NewsomFormer Biden administration Health Secretary Xavier Becerra is the latest Democrat to join the crowded field seeking to become California's next governor.
Mass layoffs rattle Head Start leaders already on edge over funding problems
Read full article: Mass layoffs rattle Head Start leaders already on edge over funding problemsPresident Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday laid off scores of Health and Human Services employees, including many who ran the Head Start early education program.
New York's casino sweepstakes could put $115M in Donald Trump's pocket
Read full article: New York's casino sweepstakes could put $115M in Donald Trump's pocketA high-stakes contest to decide who gets to build a casino in New York City could potentially result in a $115 million jackpot for President Donald Trump.
Michigan lawmaker Mallory McMorrow announces Democratic bid for US Senate
Read full article: Michigan lawmaker Mallory McMorrow announces Democratic bid for US SenateState Sen. Mallory McMorrow, a rising star in the Democratic Party, announced her bid Wednesday for Michiganโs open U.S. Senate seat, becoming the first well-known candidate to officially enter the race for what will undoubtedly be one of 2026โs most competitive and expensive contests.
Trump gives GOP senators his support as they charge ahead on tax package and spending cuts
Read full article: Trump gives GOP senators his support as they charge ahead on tax package and spending cutsRepublican senators unveiled a budget proposal thatโs central to President Donald Trumpโs agenda of tax breaks, spending cuts and border security.
Trump announces sweeping new tariffs to promote US manufacturing, risking inflation and trade wars
Read full article: Trump announces sweeping new tariffs to promote US manufacturing, risking inflation and trade warsPresident Donald Trump has announced far-reaching new tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners โ including a 34% tax on imports from China and 20% on the European Union, among others.
Lawsuit claims Musk failed to make promised payments over 2024 petition signatures
Read full article: Lawsuit claims Musk failed to make promised payments over 2024 petition signaturesA federal lawsuit accuses billionaire Elon Musk and the political action committee he started of failing to pay a suburban Philadelphia man more than $20,000 for getting people to sign a petition in favor of free speech and gun rights.
Naval Academy removes nearly 400 books from library in new DEI purge ordered by Hegseth's office
Read full article: Naval Academy removes nearly 400 books from library in new DEI purge ordered by Hegseth's officeU.S. officials say the U.S. Naval Academy has removed nearly 400 books from its library after being told by Defense Secretary Pete Hegsethโs office to review and get rid of books that promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
Most immigrants at risk of deportation from US are Christian, report finds
Read full article: Most immigrants at risk of deportation from US are Christian, report findsAs many as four in five immigrants at risk of deportation from the United States are Christian, according to a new report that calls on their fellow believers to consider the impact of aggressive deportation policies pursued under the Trump administration.
Major international law firm reaches deal with White House, becoming the latest to do so
Read full article: Major international law firm reaches deal with White House, becoming the latest to do soAnother major international law firm has reached a deal with President Donald Trump to dedicate at least $100 million in free legal services to causes such as supporting veterans and combating antisemitism.
Institute of Peace headquarters transfer is a done deal even as lawsuit continues to unfold
Read full article: Institute of Peace headquarters transfer is a done deal even as lawsuit continues to unfoldThere is no answer yet on the lawsuit filed by Institute of Peace board members who were fired amid a remaking of the independent think tank.
Judge holds ICE agent in contempt after he detained suspect during a trial
Read full article: Judge holds ICE agent in contempt after he detained suspect during a trialA judge in Boston is holding an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in contempt after he detained a suspect while he was on trial.
Judge blocks firing of intelligence agency employees who worked on DEI programs
Read full article: Judge blocks firing of intelligence agency employees who worked on DEI programsA federal judge in Virginia has blocked the Trump administration's move to fire more than a dozen intelligence agency employees who worked on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Trump's 'Liberation Day' is unlikely to free businesses from uncertainty surrounding trade policy
Read full article: Trump's 'Liberation Day' is unlikely to free businesses from uncertainty surrounding trade policyPresident Donald Trump says his tariff announcements slated for Wednesday will amount to a โLiberation Dayโ for the United States.
Social Security Administration probes origin of website portal outage
Read full article: Social Security Administration probes origin of website portal outageThe Social Security Administration says it is investigating the root cause of website outages that have affected the โmy Social Securityโ portal where recipients access their benefits.
Speaker Johnson suffers a defeat in his push to block parents in the U.S. House from proxy voting
Read full article: Speaker Johnson suffers a defeat in his push to block parents in the U.S. House from proxy votingHouse Speaker Mike Johnson suffered a decisive defeat after he tried and failed to squash a proposal for new parents in Congress to able to vote by proxy, rather than in person, as they care for newborns.
An โadministrative errorโ sent a Maryland man to an El Salvador prison, ICE says
Read full article: An โadministrative errorโ sent a Maryland man to an El Salvador prison, ICE saysPresident Donald Trump's administration has acknowledged mistakenly deporting a Maryland man with protected legal status to a notorious El Salvador prison.
The Latest: Sen. Cory Booker breaks record for longest Senate speech at over 24 hours
Read full article: The Latest: Sen. Cory Booker breaks record for longest Senate speech at over 24 hoursNew Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker held the Senate floor with a marathon speech that lasted 25 hours and 5 minutes, setting the record for the longest continuous Senate floor speech in the chamberโs history.
More Republicans want the US to focus on ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza, a new AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: More Republicans want the US to focus on ceasefires in Ukraine and Gaza, a new AP-NORC poll findsA new AP-NORC poll finds that while most Americans disapprove of President Donald Trumpโs handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the conflict is not weighing as heavily on his public perception as it did on President Joe Biden.
Why does the US restrict its presidents to 2 terms? A look at the tradition Trump is questioning
Read full article: Why does the US restrict its presidents to 2 terms? A look at the tradition Trump is questioningOnly one person in U.S. history has defied the two-term example set by the first president, George Washington.
A Democratic senator is putting holds on VA nominees to protest Trump's plans to cut its workforce
Read full article: A Democratic senator is putting holds on VA nominees to protest Trump's plans to cut its workforceArizona Sen. Ruben Gallego says he will block the confirmation of top leaders at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Democratic-backed Susan Crawford wins Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, cementing liberal majority
Read full article: Democratic-backed Susan Crawford wins Wisconsin Supreme Court seat, cementing liberal majorityThe Democratic-backed candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court has won, defeating President Donald Trumpโs endorsed challenger.
Democratic-backed Wisconsin state schools chief Jill Underly wins reelection over GOP-backed rival
Read full article: Democratic-backed Wisconsin state schools chief Jill Underly wins reelection over GOP-backed rivalWisconsinโs Democratic-backed state education chief Jill Underly has won reelection.
Chuck Schumer says he's taking the fight over federal spending to Trump country
Read full article: Chuck Schumer says he's taking the fight over federal spending to Trump countrySenate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is taking the fight over Medicaid cuts deep into Republican territory, visiting nursing homes in GOP-held districts to warn of what Democrats call devastating consequences if proposed federal rollbacks go through.
A Senate vote to reverse Trump's tariffs on Canada tests Republican support
Read full article: A Senate vote to reverse Trump's tariffs on Canada tests Republican supportWith President Donald Trumpโs so-called โLiberation Dayโ of tariff implementation fast approaching, Senate Democrats are putting Republican support for some of those plans to the test by forcing a vote to nullify the emergency declaration that underpins the tariffs on Canada.
The key places to watch in Tuesday's elections in Wisconsin and Florida
Read full article: The key places to watch in Tuesday's elections in Wisconsin and FloridaA handful of elections in Florida and Wisconsin have become key tests of President Donald Trumpโs political standing just over two months into his second term in the White House.
Republicans win Florida special elections in Trump strongholds by narrower margins than in 2024
Read full article: Republicans win Florida special elections in Trump strongholds by narrower margins than in 2024Republicans Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine have won special elections in two Florida congressional districts.
Thousands of workers at nation's health agencies brace for mass layoffs
Read full article: Thousands of workers at nation's health agencies brace for mass layoffsAs they readied to leave work Monday, some workers at the Food and Drug Administration were told to pack their laptops and prepare for the possibility that they wouldnโt be back.
Trump welcomes Kid Rock to White House for order targeting ticket scalpers
Read full article: Trump welcomes Kid Rock to White House for order targeting ticket scalpersPresident Donald Trump invited Kid Rock into the Oval Office and signed an executive order that he says will help curb ticket scalping and bring โcommonsenseโ changes to the way live entertainment events are priced.
Nonprofit groups and Democrats sue Trump administration over election executive order
Read full article: Nonprofit groups and Democrats sue Trump administration over election executive orderPresident Donald Trump's executive order seeking to overhaul the nation's elections is facing its first legal challenges.
US-Canada-Mexico joint World Cup goes from unity to acrimony thanks to tariffs and '51st state' talk
Read full article: US-Canada-Mexico joint World Cup goes from unity to acrimony thanks to tariffs and '51st state' talkAs the United States prepares to welcome the world for FIFAโs Club World Cup this June, golfโs Ryder Cup in September, the World Cup next year and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, the question becomes: Will the world want to come.
Trump administration says it deported 17 more โviolent criminalsโ to El Salvador
Read full article: Trump administration says it deported 17 more โviolent criminalsโ to El SalvadorThe Trump administration says it has deported 17 more โviolent criminalsโ from the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs to El Salvador, as it doubles down on a policy of removing people from the U.S. to third countries despite criticism over lack of transparency and human rights protections.
Trump task force to review Harvard's funding after Columbia bows to federal demands
Read full article: Trump task force to review Harvard's funding after Columbia bows to federal demandsHarvard University has become the latest target in the Trump administrationโs approach to fight campus antisemitism.
White House abruptly fires career Justice Department prosecutors in latest norm-shattering move
Read full article: White House abruptly fires career Justice Department prosecutors in latest norm-shattering moveThe recent firings of career Justice Department lawyers by the White House is a sign of President Donald Trumpโs tightening grip over the law enforcement agency known for its long tradition of political independence.
Georgia Democrat Lucy McBath suspends 2026 run for governor, citing her husband's cancer
Read full article: Georgia Democrat Lucy McBath suspends 2026 run for governor, citing her husband's cancerGeorgia U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath says sheโs suspending her exploratory 2026 bid for governor, casting uncertainty on the Democratic field.
Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates make final push amid high spending, voting
Read full article: Wisconsin Supreme Court candidates make final push amid high spending, votingPresident Donald Trumpโs preferred candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Court and his Democratic-backed challenger are making a final blitz across the state.
Justice Department instructed to dismiss legal challenge to Georgia election law
Read full article: Justice Department instructed to dismiss legal challenge to Georgia election lawU.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has instructed the Justice Department to dismiss a lawsuit challenging a sweeping 2021 election law in Georgia.
The Latest: Trump to roll out new tariffs that he promises will free the US from foreign goods
Read full article: The Latest: Trump to roll out new tariffs that he promises will free the US from foreign goodsPresident Donald Trump says Wednesday will be โLiberation Dayโ โ when he plans to roll out a set of tariffs he promises will free the United States from foreign goods.
Trump is stronger on immigration and weaker on trade, an AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: Trump is stronger on immigration and weaker on trade, an AP-NORC poll findsImmigration remains a strength for President Donald Trump, but a new AP-NORC poll finds his handling of tariffs is getting more negative feedback.
Musk-funded political group spends big and goes door to door in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race
Read full article: Musk-funded political group spends big and goes door to door in the Wisconsin Supreme Court raceElon Musk and his political operatives have tried to shape the closely watched Wisconsin Supreme Court race in ways that are not immediately obvious but could be critical to Tuesdayโs outcome.
Authorities investigate damaging fire at New Mexico's GOP headquarters
Read full article: Authorities investigate damaging fire at New Mexico's GOP headquartersFederal authorities are investigating an early morning fire that damaged the entryway to the headquarters of the Republican Party of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Elon Musk hands out $1 million payments after Wisconsin Supreme Court declines request to stop him
Read full article: Elon Musk hands out $1 million payments after Wisconsin Supreme Court declines request to stop himElon Musk has given out $1 million checks to two Wisconsin voters, declaring them spokespeople for his political group.
Trump roars down multiple paths of retribution as he vowed. Some targets yield while others fight
Read full article: Trump roars down multiple paths of retribution as he vowed. Some targets yield while others fightIn the early part of his second term, President Donald Trump has taken action against individuals, law firms, private corporations, media companies and universities he regards as adversaries.
Under the new Trump administration, this yearโs Transgender Day of Visibility has a different tenor
Read full article: Under the new Trump administration, this yearโs Transgender Day of Visibility has a different tenorPresident Donald Trump has signed a slew of policies aimed at wiping transgender people out of government records, sports and even history.
US immigration officials look to expand social media data collection
Read full article: US immigration officials look to expand social media data collectionU.S. immigration officials are asking the public and federal agencies to comment on a proposal to collect social media handles from people applying to benefits such as green cards or citizenship, to comply with an executive order from President Donald Trump.
Most US Institute of Peace workers get late-night word of their mass firing
Read full article: Most US Institute of Peace workers get late-night word of their mass firingMost employees at the U.S. Institute of Peace, a congressionally created and funded think tank now taken over by Elon Muskโs Department of Government Efficiency, have received email notices of their mass firing โ the latest step in the Trump administrationโs government downsizing.
A weekend ritual for Trump's Florida die-hards to get a brief glimpse of their political hero
Read full article: A weekend ritual for Trump's Florida die-hards to get a brief glimpse of their political heroPresident Donald Trump has spent nearly every weekend in Florida since starting his second term.
Trump's election order creates much confusion before the next federal election in 2026
Read full article: Trump's election order creates much confusion before the next federal election in 2026President Donald Trumpโs sweeping executive order seeking to change how elections are run in the U.S. is creating uncertainty for state and local election officials and worries about voter confusion before the next federal election, the 2026 midterms.
Wisconsin appeals court won't stop Musk's $1 million payments to voters after attorney general sues
Read full article: Wisconsin appeals court won't stop Musk's $1 million payments to voters after attorney general suesA Wisconsin appellate court has denied the state Democratic attorney generalโs request to stop billionaire Elon Musk from handing over $1 million checks to two voters at a rally planned for Sunday, just two days before a closely contested Supreme Court election.