Sign up for the Surge, the newsletter dedicated to delivering the most important political updates and commentary directly to your inbox every Saturday. Welcome to this week’s edition of the Surge, Slate’s politics newsletter. We begin with a quick lightning round, highlighting significant news stories that haven’t garnered extensive analysis. The recent Gaza ceasefire is a positive development, while the Young Republicans’ group chat has raised eyebrows for all the wrong reasons. Additionally, the ongoing government shutdown continues to loom large in the political landscape. What are our thoughts on the current political climate? Various aging Democrats are facing off against younger challengers in Senate primaries, and the potential expansion of the war on Caribbean boats to Venezuela is raising questions. Meanwhile, we see a new prosecution targeting someone disliked by Trump making headlines on cable news. Lastly, Republicans continue to provide free advertising for the No Kings protests.
We also have a housekeeping note: The Surge will be going on hiatus after this week, likely extending through the end of the year. We anticipate that by then, all of America’s problems will be resolved. But speaking of problems…
This week, another significant challenge to the Voting Rights Act emerged with oral arguments presented before the Supreme Court. The focus was on Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which examines whether creating majority-minority districts to protect minority voting power violates the 14th and 15th Amendments. The implications are dire: if the court rules against VRA-protected districts, it could severely diminish Black representation in Congress, costing Democrats potentially a dozen seats. During oral arguments, it appeared the court was eager to tackle this issue, reflecting a long-standing trend since the Shelby County decision in 2013, which already weakened crucial parts of the VRA. This SCOTUS majority seems to dismiss racism as a pressing issue, pushing to declare various voting rights protections unconstitutional.
The likely swing vote in this case is Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who recently allowed law enforcement to profile Hispanic individuals during routine checks. Kavanaugh stated that “race-based remedies are permissible for a period of time” but suggested there should be an end point. This raises critical questions about when such an end point might occur and if Kavanaugh believes the current state of race relations is satisfactory.
In a significant political development, Maine's Democratic governor, Janet Mills, officially entered the Senate race to challenge incumbent Senator Susan Collins. Her entry follows extensive recruitment efforts by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. However, Mills faces immediate challenges, including a primary against political newcomer Graham Platner, who has garnered considerable attention and fundraising since announcing his candidacy. This primary pits the age-old debate of old vs. young, insider vs. outsider, and populist vs. establishment against each other.
Both candidates have glaring imperfections that could affect their campaigns. Platner, while benefiting from outsider status, has a history of controversial online posts that may haunt him. Mills, on the other hand, made headlines with her seemingly supportive remarks about Collins, stating, “I appreciate everything she is doing,” a sentiment that may not resonate well with the current Democratic base.
On Wednesday, a significant event unfolded as nearly the entire Pentagon press corps walked out in protest against new press credential policies imposed by Defense Department leaders. These policies restricted reporters' access and raised the prospect of penalties for asking unwanted questions. Although initial drafts of the policy were softened after negotiations, the final version still posed a significant threat to press freedoms.
The most alarming aspect of the new policy was a warning against “solicitation” of information, implying reporters could lose their press credentials for seeking critical information. Thankfully, several news bureaus, including conservative outlets like Fox News and Newsmax, rejected these restrictions, while some U.S.-based outlets that signed the policy faced public scrutiny. This situation underscores the need for greater public awareness and pushback against limitations on press access.
This week, former National Security Adviser John Bolton was indicted on 18 counts concerning the mishandling of classified information, following an FBI raid on his home. Unlike previous high-profile indictments that were perceived as politically motivated, Bolton's case appears to be grounded in substantive legal issues, as he allegedly transferred sensitive notes to family members while in office.
The indictment has sparked debates about whether Bolton's prosecution would have occurred had he not become a vocal critic of Trump post-administration. Regardless, the indictment signals a commitment to accountability regarding national security practices.
Another intriguing development in the political landscape is the potential challenge to Senator Ed Markey from Massachusetts Representative Seth Moulton. Moulton's campaign echoes the tactics used by Rep. Joe Kennedy III in 2020, who unsuccessfully attempted to unseat Markey by branding him as old and ineffective. However, the political dynamics may have shifted, with Democratic voters increasingly seeking fresh leadership.
Markey, now 79 and nearing 50 years in Congress, has a solid backing from both establishment and progressive factions. Despite Moulton’s ambitious claims, he may find it challenging to overcome the coalition that previously secured Markey’s victory.
In foreign policy news, the U.S. administration has escalated military operations in the Caribbean, raising concerns about legality and humanitarian implications. Amidst ongoing military action against suspected drug boats, the administration has organized the largest military buildup in the region since the 1980s, intensifying pressure on the Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela.
Additionally, reports indicate that Trump authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations targeting Venezuelan land. Notably, Admiral Alvin Holsey, who oversees operations in the Caribbean, announced his retirement amid these controversies, suggesting internal tensions regarding the current military strategy.
Finally, thousands are expected to participate in the upcoming No Kings protests against the Trump administration, mirroring previous protests held in June. Notably, many Republicans have amplified their rhetoric against these protests, portraying participants in a derogatory light. The protests represent a critical moment for political expression and dissent in the current administration.
