Politics
All the latest news stories about politics, from elections and law-making to the subtle shifts that change our lives—and our finances
Zohran Mamdani Elected Next Mayor of New York City
Zohran Mamdani has been elected the 111th mayor of New York City, becoming the city’s first Muslim, first South Asian, and youngest mayor in over a century.
Democrats Dash to Victory in VA. & N.J.
The Democratic Party picked up major wins on Election Night as Abigail Spanberger will become Virginia’s first female governor.
U.S. Government Shutdown Becomes Longest in History
The U.S. government shutdown has entered its 36th day on Wednesday, making it the longest in American history.
Politics and the Price of Groceries: Snap Benefits Caught in the Shutdown Crosshairs
Sabrina Siddiqui, National Politics Reporter at The Wall Street Journal, joins to break down the SNAP funding delays and the human cost of the ongoing shutdown.
Conservative Supreme Court justices appear skeptical of tariffs
Arguments at the Supreme Court have concluded for the day as the justices consider President Donald Trump's sweeping unilateral tariffs in a trillion-dollar test of executive power.
New York City Residents Head to the Polls to Elect New Mayor
New York City voters are set to elect a new mayor, with democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani leading the polls.
Trump Admin to Pay Half of Snap Benefits as Government Shutdown Continues
The Trump administration told a Rhode Island federal judge it will use $4.65 billion in contingency funds to pay 50% of November’s SNAP benefits.
The Supreme Court will weigh arguments on tariffs this weeek
For President Donald Trump, tariffs — or the threat of them — can bend nations to his will.
Tariffs Could Increase Costs by Over $40B This Holiday Season
According to LendingTree, American's wallets will be significantly impacted this holiday season due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Trump 'Won't be Extorted' by Democrats During Gov't Shutdown
President Donald Trump said he “won’t be extorted” by Democrats to reopen the government, signaling no plans to negotiate as the shutdown nears its sixth week.
Mortgage Rates Jump Even as Fed Cuts Interest Rates
Despite the Fed Reserve cutting its benchmark rate this week, mortgage rates actually climbed, with the average 30-year fixed jumping 20 basis points to 6.3%.
Trump cuts tariffs on China after meeting Xi in South Korea
President Donald Trump said he has decided to lower his combined tariff rates on imports of Chinese goods to 47% after talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on curbing fentanyl trafficking.
Fed Cuts Rates Again but Powell Signals Uncertainty Over December Move
The Federal Reserve approved its second consecutive interest rate cut, lowering the benchmark rate to a range of 3.75%–4%.
Federal Reserve cuts key rate as shutdown clouds economic outlook
The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate Wednesday for a second time this year as it seeks to shore up economic growth and hiring even as inflation stays elevated. The move comes amid a fraught time for the central bank, with hiring sluggish and yet inflation stuck above the Fed’s 2% target. Compounding its challenges, the central bank is navigating without much of the economic data it typically relies on from the government. The Fed has signaled it may reduce its key rate again in December but the data drought raises the uncertainty around its next moves. Fed Chair Jerome Powell told reporters that there were “strongly differing views” at the central bank's policy meeting about to proceed going forward.
Trump’s Fed Shake-Up: Five Contenders Emerge to Replace Powell
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed Monday that five candidates are in the running to replace Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell next year.
Trump Says U.S. and China Near Trade Deal
President Donald Trump said the U.S. and China are close to finalizing a trade deal ahead of his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi.
US and China say a trade deal is drawing closer as meeting nears
U.S. and Chinese officials say a trade deal between the world’s two largest economies is drawing closer. The sides have reached an initial consensus for President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to aim to finalize during their high-stakes meeting Thursday in South Korea. Any agreement would be a relief to international markets. Trump's treasury secretary says discussions with China yielded preliminary agreements to stop the precursor chemicals for fentanyl from coming into the United States. Scott Bessent also says Beijing would make “substantial” purchases of soybean and other agricultural products while putting off export controls on rare earth elements needed for advanced technologies.
