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Trump’s Latest Strikes Leave Iran’s Economy Battered

July 31, 2026 at 7:26 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The economic impact of U.S. attacks on Iran has increased, as widespread shortages and blackouts indicate, after President Donald Trump’s move to strikes on key infrastructure,” the Washington Post reports.

”For months, Iranians reported relatively few economy-altering disruptions in the face of U.S. and Israeli attacks, despite thousands of airstrikes and a weeks-long naval blockade by U.S. forces. But that has changed over the past month, as U.S. attacks triggered power outages, water and fuel shortages, and trade slowdowns.”

Earth’s Warming Primed France and Spain to Burn

July 31, 2026 at 7:24 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Conditions as hot, dry and windy as those leading up to the giant wildfires in France and Spain this week have become more likely in those countries since humans began warming the planet, according to a new analysis,” the New York Times reports.

“A team of scientists examined weather records to see how often the regions around Bordeaux, in southwest France, and Madrid have been as parched and primed to burn as they have been in the past few weeks. The researchers’ findings are the latest evidence that parts of Southern Europe should expect huge fires to become a recurring threat.”

Saudi Arabia Prepares Offensive Against Houthis

July 31, 2026 at 7:20 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Saudi Arabia is preparing for a major military offensive against the Houthis by sea and possibly by land in central Yemen, Yemeni sources believe, in a move to break the chokehold on its oil exports through the southern Red Sea,” The Guardian reports.

“Saudi forces have been seen withdrawing from the east of Yemen in what could be preparation for a land offensive. At the same time, Riyadh is trying to organise a naval coalition to protect shipping from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab strait.”

Bloomberg: Saudi Arabia seeks to lead maritime coalition to protect Red Sea.

Mark Kelly Warns Far-Left Policies ‘Don’t Make Sense’

July 31, 2026 at 7:04 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) said Thursday during an interview that far-left calls to abolish police, eliminate prisons and the border and defund the Pentagon were partly responsible for Democrats’ low approval ratings because voters associated those positions with the broader party,” the New York Post reports.

Said Kelly: “There are folks out there that say things that just don’t make sense to the American people, like abolish the police or get rid of jails and prisons, get rid of the border, defund the Pentagon. Those things don’t make sense.”

New York Sues Kalshi as Illegal Gambling Site

July 31, 2026 at 7:01 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The New York attorney general’s office is suing Kalshi, one of the largest prediction markets, alleging it’s running an illegal gambling operation in the state,” CNN reports.

“Attorney General Letitia James alleges Kalshi failed to obtain a state gambling license and pay related taxes. The lawsuit, which was filed in New York State court early Friday, is seeking an order enjoining Kalshi’s operations, plus fines, restitution and the forfeiture of profits.”

Big Oil Reaps Rewards From the Chaos in Energy Markets

July 31, 2026 at 6:56 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“America’s largest oil companies reported a blockbuster quarter after the Iran war caused a historic dislocation in global markets that sent energy prices soaring,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“At ExxonMobil profits more than doubled from a year earlier to their highest level since 2022, while Chevron reported its highest quarterly earnings on record.”

Financial Times: Chevron and Exxon earnings soar as Trump threatens price interventions.

The Next Abortion Battle Is Over Kansas’ Highest Court

July 31, 2026 at 6:53 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“A national fight over state supreme courts is flaring up in Kansas, where voters will decide Tuesday whether to replace the state’s 68-year-old system of appointing justices with direct elections — a change that could shape future rulings on abortion, voting rights and other monumental issues,” the Washington Post reports.

”The fight over the Kansas Supreme Court reflects the growing importance of state courts since the U.S. Supreme Court ended the federal constitutional right to abortion and put claims of partisan gerrymandering beyond the reach of federal judges.”

Trump Tries to Rebuild Election Security Infrastructure

July 31, 2026 at 6:51 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“After dismantling the federal system designed to protect U.S. elections, the Trump administration now says it has a plan to rebuild it — less than 100 days before Election Day and just weeks before ballots begin going out in the mail,” CNN reports.

“A year after forcing out many of its most experienced election-security specialists, a key federal cyber agency is now reassigning remaining staff into new roles.”

Escalation Nation

July 31, 2026 at 6:00 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

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Fetterman Still Weighing His Place in the Democratic Tent

July 31, 2026 at 5:59 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Chuck Schumer showered John Fetterman with praise this week, declaring him a ‘very good member,’ liked and respected by colleagues in Democrats’ ‘big tent party,'” Semafor reports.

“Fetterman was grateful for the shoutout and has repeatedly shot down the idea he’d switch caucuses in the Senate. But he’s still not sure he fits with where his party is going.”

Said Fetterman: “I truly appreciate the leader’s nice words. I don’t know if the Democratic Party is ‘big tent’ enough for proud, pro-Israel supporters that also strongly reject the warped mutation of democratic socialists now rising in their ranks.”

NewsNation: Schumer urges Fetterman not to leave Senate Democratic caucus.

Mamdani Open to Paying Reparations to Black New Yorkers

July 31, 2026 at 5:54 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Mayor Zohran Mamdani said this week that he supported reparations efforts in New York City but that it was too early to commit to making monetary payouts to descendants of slavery,” the New York Times reports.

Democratic Candidates Grapple with ‘Defund the Police’

July 31, 2026 at 5:49 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Just months before the midterm elections, Democrats hope to convince voters that lawlessness under President Donald Trump’s administration is the biggest threat to their rights and pocketbooks. But the party’s past debates over crime and safety threaten to undermine that pitch,” the Associated Press reports.

“Across the country, Democratic candidates are grappling with their previous positions calling to ‘defund the police’ — a prominent demand during the protests that followed George Floyd’s death — by either reimagining public safety services altogether or redirecting some police departments’ funds to other social programs. Now, they are facing tough questions about their past positions.”

“Democratic leaders fear that the outlier opinions favoring police defunding may again tarnish the party’s brand and sink its chances of gaining ground in Congress, governor’s mansions and statehouses nationwide.”

Faced with Blanche Dilemma, Trump Chooses Revenge

July 31, 2026 at 5:48 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Donald Trump has a choice: allow changes to a controversial court settlement and secure the confirmation of his former personal lawyer as attorney general, or thumb his nose at a pair of his few remaining Republican critics in Congress. True to form, he is giving no ground — so far,” Politico reports.

Bloomberg: Trump puts immunity from probes over his fight for Todd Blanche.

Democrats Fear Trump Will Deploy Troops to Polls

July 31, 2026 at 5:46 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“President Donald Trump hasn’t ruled out deploying troops or federal agents to polling places in November. Democrats are preparing for how to respond in case that happens,” NOTUS reports.

“Democratic lawmakers, wary of various potential disruptions to the midterm elections, conducted closed-door tabletop exercises last week that included the possibility of armed federal personnel dispatched near polling places.”

Divided Democrats Face a Moment of Truth in Michigan

July 31, 2026 at 5:45 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Democratic socialists look like they’re about to rack up a stunning new victory: Their candidate in Michigan’s Senate Democratic primary has the momentum heading into Tuesday’s primary,” Axios reports.

“A win by Abdul El-Sayed in the swing state would turbocharge the party’s left flank and validate establishment fears about the party’s direction.”

”Establishment Democrats have watched in horror as democratic socialist candidates pull off one win after another in House primaries this year. The Michigan primary brings the ideological clash to its biggest stage yet.”

The Economist: The Democratic primary for Senate in Michigan is a contest for control of the party.

The Pro-Trump Media Ecosystem Is Splintering

July 31, 2026 at 5:43 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

New York Times: “The shifts add to a growing body of evidence that suggests the audience for pro-Trump content has fallen from its heights and, for some creators, has reached new lows. Views are dropping for many of Mr. Trump’s greatest allies, while some figures on the right who have taken to criticizing Mr. Trump are showing uneven gains.”

“The shifts threaten to complicate messaging this year for Republican candidates, who have for years relied on a united front of content creators to rile up Republicans and guide them to the polls each election cycle.”

Tech Companies Reject Trump’s Proposed ‘Woke’ AI Ban

July 31, 2026 at 5:41 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The Trump administration is in the middle of finding out that it’s very hard — maybe even impossible — to regulate perceived ‘wokeness’ in artificial intelligence,” NOTUS reports.

“The government’s main procurement agency is a year into trying to translate President Donald Trump’s ban on ‘woke’ AI into contracting language, and technology companies are pouring out in opposition to what they’ve come up with.”

Fauci’s Turn From Pandemic Star to Silent Witness

July 30, 2026 at 10:52 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Dr. Anthony Fauci and his lawyers knew that invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a congressional hearing this week was a gamble. The doctor millions trusted through the pandemic risked looking like a man with something to hide,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“His team decided it was his best play, according to people familiar with his legal strategy—because his alternatives were worse. His lawyers believed that answering could open him up to a perjury charge from Republican opponents hunting for discrepancies in his near constant stream of statements during the chaos of the pandemic. Refusing to testify at all could land a contempt-of-Congress referral at President Trump’s Justice Department.”

“So this week Fauci invoked the Fifth more than 100 times during a combative Senate hearing, sitting silently as frustrated Republican senators peppered him with expletives and accusations.”

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About Political Wire

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

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