Tom Cotton

Senate leaders remained confident the House's budget bill would make it through the reconciliation process after the Senate reconvenes after Easter.

The new undersecretary of defense could be tested soon over his policy preferences in U.S. military strategy.

The Senate voted Tuesday to confirm Elbridge Colby, President Trump’s “lightning rod” pick to serve as the Pentagon’s under secretary for policy, despite the private concerns of several Republican senators about Colby’s past statements and views. The chamber voted 54-45 to confirm the nominee, who will hold the No. 3-ranking job at the Pentagon and be [...]

The reaction may show the limits of support for President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, massacre of Israeli civilians was an act of “pure, unadulterated evil,” according to then-President Joe Biden. He said it resulted in “the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” with “more than 1,000 civilians...

The largest private foundations should not be exempt from taxation as Congress debates extending the 2017 tax act.

The fearmongering and statism leftists applied to the pandemic mirrors their reaction to virtually every other issue — and is a big reason why Dems are now floundering.

Sen. Jim Banks called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate the longtime left-wing protest group Code Pink for "growing ties to the Chinese Communist Party" and potential violations of federal law.

Democrats are slamming vulnerable Republicans for avoiding town halls — launching a billboard campaign and scheduling their own Q&As in competitive districts, Axios has learned.Why it matters: It's a town hall war, with both parties accusing the other of being afraid of their voters.The DNC is targeting nine of the most vulnerable House Republicans with a billboard campaign launching Wednesday — as they prepare to hold their own town halls featuring top Democrats in the same competitive districts.Minnesota Governor and VP candidate Tim Walz kicked off the town hall campaign over the weekend in Iowa and Nebraska.Zoom in: The new DNC billboards will say that lawmakers "won't talk to his/her constituents," and include the member's office phone number — urging people to call and demand a town hall. The campaign will target: Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.)Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.)Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.)Rep. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa)Rep. John James (R-Mich.)Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.)Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.)Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr. (R-Pa.)What they're saying: "Republicans are refusing to meet with their constituents after voting to take away health care and make it harder for families to put food on the table," DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement provided to Axios."If Republicans won't show up, then Democrats will," he added.The other side: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's (D-N.Y.) postponed book tour is undermining the argument, and the Democratic infighting is giving Republicans fresh fodder this week.Senate Republican Conference Chair Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has urged Republicans to emphasize Democratic dysfunction while home in their districts."Chuck Schumer had to cancel his book tour because he is being protested by the radical left over a clean CR," a top Cotton staffer wrote in guidance to congressional aides this week, according to an email obtained by Axios.

The vote to pass the spending bill was 54-46, avoiding a shutdown that some congressional members believed could have catastrophic fallout.

Ten Democrats joined with Republicans to clear the 60-vote threshold needed to advance the measure. The vote was 62-38

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard lists several 'recent examples of unauthorized leaks within the' intelligence community while announcing crackdown.

Daily Caller News Foundation co-founder Tucker Carlson told NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo on his podcast Monday that he believes Republican Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton allegedly attempted to block the hiring of a particular person on the Intelligence Committee.

After successfully confirming his most controversial picks for top Cabinet roles, the Senate is on track to push them all past the finish line—and in record time.

Donald Trump has officially sided with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, blaming Ukraine for being invaded and calling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a "dictator" in a disturbing Truth Social post.In the post on his social media site, Trump mocked Zelenskyy as a "modestly successful comedian" who "will never be able to settle" the war with Russia. Trump also sided with Putin’s demand that Ukraine hold elections, likely so that Putin can install a new leader who will surrender the war and let Russia take over the European nation."A Dictator without Elections, Zelenskyy better move fast or he is not going to have a Country left," Trump wrote. "In the meantime, we are successfully negotiating an end to the War with Russia, something all admit only 'TRUMP,' and the Trump Administration, can do."First off, Zelenskyy is not a dictator, having been democratically elected in 2019. But Putin sure is, having squashed all dissent in his country through threats of violence and persecution and holding sham elections to keep himself in power.There have not been elections in Ukraine because Russia has destroyed large swaths of the country since invading it in 2022, making it impossible to hold an election. According to the United Nations, 4 million Ukrainians are displaced within the country, and 6.8 million more have fled to other nations as the war rages on.Even Republicans who usually kneel before Trump are against the idea of forcing Ukraine to have elections.Trump toady Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas said Russia wants Ukraine to have elections “because they want to meddle in them."Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, a GOP member of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a post on X that “Putin is now asking for a new election in Ukraine, conducted in a specific manner that he can influence, so that he can install his puppet and accomplish that which he couldn’t militarily."Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska posted on X to remind people that “While Russia is demanding elections in Ukraine hoping for a leadership change, we should remind ourselves that Putin has murdered or exiled all his political rivals.” And Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) wrote in a post on X that the Russian demand for elections in Ukraine is ridiculous."With respect to elections, of course Ukraine should have free and fair elections—but that demand coming from Putin and Russia is both comical and self-serving. Russia has continued to influence and interfere with elections throughout Eastern Europe and must not be allowed to install a Putin puppet and apologist simply to seize control from within," Lawler said.Of course, none of these GOP lawmakers criticized Trump—who is openly siding with a murderous dictator over an American ally. So it's unclear what they will do to stop Trump from allowing Putin to take over a sovereign nation.Since taking office in January, Trump said he has spoken to Putin directly.In the aftermath of those conversations, Trump has taken Russia’s side, saying that his idea for ending the war is forcing Ukraine to surrender and let Putin encroach on Europe. Trump has also cut Ukraine out of the so-called “peace talks” he’s holding This has forced Zelenskyy—who has tried to have a friendly relationship with Trump in order to save his nation—to criticize the American president, saying that Trump is “living in a disinformation space” and in a “circle of disinformation.” Democrats, for their part, are clearly calling Trump out for his embrace of Russia over Ukraine.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Trump's attacks on Zelenskyy are "disgusting after how this man has fought so hard and so valiantly.““It is shameful to hear the president repeat Putin’s propaganda while laying the groundwork for negotiations that favor Russia at Ukraine’s expense," Schumer said, according to HuffPost's Igor Bobic.“If Trump abandons Europe and surrenders Ukraine to Putin, he will go down as the biggest loser of the 21st Century,” said Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware.But given that Republicans control both chambers of Congress, it’s incumbent upon the GOP to stand up to Trump.Ultimately, the speed with which Trump sided with Putin over Ukraine is yet more evidence that Trump is a Russian asset. Thank you to the Daily Kos community who continues to fight so hard with Daily Kos. Your reader support means everything. We will continue to have you covered and keep you informed, so please donate just $3 to help support the work we do.

Sen. Tom Cotton is reportedly hesitant on whether to confirm a key Trump Defense nominee, Elbridge Colby, over his stance on a nuclear Iran, sources familiar told Fox News Digital.

Sen. Tom Cotton is reportedly hesitant on whether to confirm a key Trump Defense nominee, Elbridge Colby, over his stance on a nuclear Iran, sources familiar told Fox News Digital.

China has cowed many of America’s elites, celebrities, athletes and politicians into silence. They fear losing jobs, contracts, investors, status and worse. Better to stay silent.

Republicans slammed Democrats' claims that the Department of Government Efficiency's actions potentially threatened U.S. national security.

The Trump administration, which has been moving like a juggernaut across the political landscape, has hit a land mine. The decision by Trump’s Justice Department to halt the prosecution of New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) has caused uproar. Adams had been due to stand trial in April on charges of bribery, wire fraud [...]

Hundreds of drones seen flying over military installations last year were conducting surveillance, according to a senior military official.

Trump is expected to see his 14th Cabinet official confirmed Wednesday morning when Tulsi Gabbard gets a final vote to be director of national intelligence.

President Trump's pick to lead the Department of Labor, former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Ore., has left Republicans in the Senate with some questions over her pro-union stances.

The Senate voted along party lines to move forward with Tulsi Gabbard's nomination to be President Trump's Director of National Intelligence.Why it matters: Gabbard has proved to be one of Trump's most controversial nominees and her confirmation has at times been in question, especially ahead of a committee vote earlier this month. Senators voted 52-46 to limit debate on Gabbard's nomination, paving the way for a final vote later this week.Two senators didn't vote — Republican Thom Tillis (N.C.) and Democrat John Fetterman (Pa.). Catch up quick: The Senate Intelligence Committee narrowly approved Gabbard's nomination Feb. 4 in a 9-8 party-line vote. That was after Intel Chair Tom Cotton made a concerted effort to get her through, even enlisting the help of former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) in swaying two of the panel's skeptical Republicans — Indiana's Todd Young and Maine's Susan Collins — to support Gabbard. Zoom in: Young announced he would support Gabbard's confirmation in committee after outlining several commitments Gabbard made to win his vote. Those included promising not to seek a pardon for Edward Snowden, regularly updating the Senate Intel committee on her foreign travel and working with the panel to reauthorize Section 702 of FISA.Vice President Vance and Elon Musk also pressed Young to support Gabbard. Zoom out: Gabbard faced tough questioning in her confirmation hearing, repeatedly refusing to call Snowden a traitor.Questions have also been raised about a trip she took to Syria, references she has made to conspiracy theories about U.S. bio labs in Ukraine and her history of questioning the findings of the U.S. intelligence community.Go deeper: How Tulsi Gabbard's nomination came roaring back to lifeEditor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.

The Senate voted largely along party lines Monday evening to advance Tulsi Gabbard's nomination to serve as President Trump’s director of national intelligence, putting her on a glide path to confirmation later this week. The 52-46 vote brings the Senate’s two-month debate over Gabbard’s qualifications and unorthodox national security views close to an end. When [...]

President Donald Trump, co-President Elon Musk, members of the Trump administration, and Republican lawmakers have all been going on record to say that Trump should simply ignore court orders that block his unlawful orders. But it’s a move that would thrust the country into a constitutional crisis that threatens the functioning of our democratic republic.The calls to ignore judicial orders come as judges of all political ideologies have blocked Trump's executive orders and actions. Three federal judges have blocked Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship. Another federal judge paused Trump and Musk’s attempt to unilaterally close the United States Agency for International Development and fire all of its workers. Two judges blocked Trump’s attempt to freeze all federal payments, and reprimanded the administration further when they determined that the administration had not actually lifted the freeze as ordered. A federal judge barred Musk and his army of Department of Government Efficiency bros from accessing sensitive Treasury payment systems and data, which data experts say is a disaster for privacy and national security.But rather than admit fault, Trump and his GOP sycophants instead attack the judges who issued the rulings, saying their decisions should be ignored even though the Constitution explicitly lays out the separation of powers that gives judges review over executive branch actions.“We’re very disappointed with the judges that would make such a ruling,” Trump said Sunday on Air Force One. “No judge should frankly be allowed to make that kind of a decision. It’s a disgrace.”Vice President JD Vance echoed similar sentiments on Sunday in a post on X."If a judge tried to tell a general how to conduct a military operation, that would be illegal. If a judge tried to command the attorney general in how to use her discretion as a prosecutor, that's also illegal. Judges aren't allowed to control the executive's legitimate power,” Vance wrote.Musk went a step further, calling for the judge who blocked him and his team from accessing Treasury records to be disposed of.“A corrupt judge protecting corruption. He needs to be impeached NOW!” Must said in a post on his own disinformation platform.Sen. Tom CottonRepublican lawmakers also added to the chorus of attacking the judiciary and calling for Trump to ignore the orders.Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, pushed false information to try to preemptively justify any potential attempts by Trump to ignore court orders. Cotton wrote in a post on X: "Outrageous. Obama Judge Paul Engelmayer didn’t just bar @elonmusk and @doge from Treasury systems, he barred the Secretary of the Treasury himself. Without citing a single law or even allowing Trump admin to appear in court! This outlaw should be reversed immediately and Engelmayer should be forbidden by higher courts from ever hearing another case against the Trump admin."Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, put Cotton in his place with facts. Murphy wrote: "This just isn't true, Tom. a. It's a temporary order and Trump's lawyers are asked to present their case in court next Friday. b. Englemayer does reference several laws and constitutional provisions—most notably the APA—that have possibly been violated. c. But the finding is simply that without the immediate relief, there would be irreparable harm. Trump still has his day in court."Ultimately, with Democrats out of power and Republicans unwilling to stand up to their Dear Leader, the judiciary is the only thing keeping Trump from carrying out his destructive will.And Democrats are sounding the alarm as Republicans call for ignoring court orders."JD, we both went to law school. But we don’t have to be lawyers to know that ignoring court decisions we don’t like puts us on a dangerous path to lawlessness. We just have to swear an oath [on] the constitution. And mean it,” Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California, wrote in a post on X.Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman of New York, also chastised Vance."It’s called the “rule of law” @jdvance,” Goldman wrote in a post on X. “Our constitution created three co-equal branches of government to provide checks and balances on each other (‘separation of powers’). The judiciary makes sure that the executive follows the law. If you do, then you won’t have problems."And Democratic Rep. Sean Casten of Illinois, laced into Vance for saying Trump should ignore court orders.“These are the words of a mad king. They are not the words of someone who cherishes and defends the separation of powers innate to our Constitution,” Casten wrote in a post on X. “You’re smart enough to know better, JD. You’re just too cowardly to stand up to Trump & Musk.” Thank you to the Daily Kos community who continues to fight so hard with Daily Kos. Your reader support means everything. We will continue to have you covered and keep you informed, so please donate just $3 to help support the work we do.

Politicians have attributed an increase in Army recruitment numbers to the so-called "Trump effect," but data shows that enlistments began to uptick before the 2024 presidential election.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Friday that a second flight of immigrants had been flown to Guantanamo Bay, just as she herself was heading to the site.

President Trump laid out the important tax provisions that he wants accomplished this year by Congress in a meeting on Thursday.

Another federal judge on Thursday struck down President Donald Trump's birthright citizenship executive order, calling it unconstitutional.

American evangelical Christian Zionists are among Israel’s strongest supporters – and they wield considerable influence.

The U.S. Agency for International Development is facing a reckoning under the second Trump administration following years of allegations of mismanagement of funds.

The following is the transcript of an interview with Sen. Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia, on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that aired on Feb. 2, 2025.

Facing more than a dozen questions about her views on NSA leaker Edward Snowden, Tulsi Gabbard held her ground.The post Tulsi Gabbard Refused to Back Down On Edward Snowden. It Could Tank Her Nomination. appeared first on The Intercept.

He cited Republicans' success pushing through another of Trump's more controversial nominees as reason to be bullish.

Senators Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton said that the former Trump aides faced continuing threats from Iran and that the decision could affect how current officials do their jobs.

President Trump entered his resurgent era on an avalanche of dozens of sweeping executive orders and proclamations, some of which had immediate impacts on immigration, the federal bureaucracy, the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.Yes, but: Not everyone in the MAGA masses is singing the same tune. Here's what you may have missed when newsmakers hit the airwaves this Sunday, Jan. 26. 1. Trump, Biden face pardon pushback Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks during an interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press" on Jan. 26.Monday's flurry of pardons from President Trump and former President Biden exposed a glimmer of bipartisanship on Capitol Hill — with many lawmakers agreeing both took their power too far. Minutes before leaving office, Biden preemptively pardoned five family members. And just after Trump took over the Oval Office, he pardoned some 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants.What they're saying: Pardoning those who beat up law enforcement officers on Jan. 6 was "a mistake," Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press.""I will be consistent here, I don't like the idea of bailing people out of jail or pardoning people who burned down cities and beat up cops, whether you are Republican or a Democrat," he continued.Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday, Graham also criticized Biden's use of pardons and suggested there should be "an effort to rein in the pardon power of the president" if perceived abuses persist.The other side: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called for additional guardrails on the president's vast pardon power on "Fox News Sunday," highlighting legislation he introduced following Trump's Jan. 6 pardons."These decisions are made in the shadows; they are a black box," he said.Worth noting: It's not just lawmakers who would be on board with a change. Some participants in Axios' latest Engagious/Sago swing-voter focus group said Trump and Biden both went too far with their presidential pardons and that they'd back a theoretical constitutional amendment to taper presidential pardon power.Zoom out: Both the Fraternal Order of Police, the largest police union in the U.S., and the International Association of Chiefs of Police condemned Trump's near-total pardons of Jan. 6 rioters.Among the roughly 1,500 pardoned and 14 others whose sentences were commuted were individuals who attacked officers and leaders of the extremist groups the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.Threat level: Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) highlighted the hyper-partisan environment violent Jan. 6 rioters and members of extremist groups were released into, saying on CBS News' "Face the Nation," "None of this is making us safe."While he defended Biden's decision to pardon his family members in the wake of persistent threats from Trump and fears of political retribution, Crow said, "what I would like to see overall is pardon reform.""People need to know that the person sitting in the Oval Office has their best interests in mind at all times," Crow said, "and certainly not with Donald Trump right now can they have that feeling of trust and confidence, because ... five days into this administration, the abuse is already rampant."2. Trump's inspectors general firings generate some shrugs Sen. Richard Blumenthal speaks during a Jan. 26 interview on "Fox News Sunday."Trump's ongoing civil service shakeup saw more than a dozen inspectors general booted from their posts across the federal government Friday.The intrigue: The terminations, as stated by Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, appear to violate federal law requiring a 30-day congressional notice of intent to fire a Senate-confirmed inspector general."There may be good reason the IGs were fired," Grassley said in a Saturday statement to CNN. "We need to know that if so. I'd like further explanation from President Trump. Regardless, the 30-day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress."Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) described Trump's move as "a clear violation of law," while Blumenthal challenged his GOP colleagues to "join me in opposing these firings."Blumenthal added, "Elon Musk ought to be also joining because he is against wasteful spending," something watchdogs would likely monitor.Yes, but: Graham noted that while Trump "technically" violated the law, he has "the authority" to dismiss personnel. Zoom out: Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) echoed Graham Sunday, brushing off concerns that Trump may install loyalists in inspector general posts."It's very common as new administrations come in that specifically these positions be replaced," he said.Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) similarly shrugged off the dismissals, telling Fox's Shannon Bream, "Ultimately, these inspectors general serve at the pleasure of the president — he wants new people in there."Flashback: During Trump's first-term fight to purge the government and so-called "deep state" of those deemed disloyal, he targeted multiple inspectors general.While it is normal for political appointees to be replaced during presidential transitions, a report from the Congressional Research Service notes that the "practice has disfavored removal of IGs during presidential transitions" following sweeping action at the beginning of former President Reagan's term.Since 1981, the report states, "IGs have remained in their positions during each presidential transition."3. Republicans urge Trump to rethink pulling security details for ex-officials Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) speaks during a Jan. 26 interview on "Fox News Sunday."Trump's decision to strip security protections from former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and others could expose those individuals to threats from abroad and have a chilling effect on future officials, Cotton said Sunday.Beyond Pompeo, Trump revoked former national security adviser John Bolton's and former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci's security details.Pompeo's top aide Brian Hook also reportedly lost his security.Context: Pompeo has criticized Trump on foreign and fiscal policy, while Bolton warned his former boss was "unfit" to be president again.Fauci has been open about receiving death threats. Pompeo, Bolton and Hook have faced threats from Iran.What they're saying: "I would encourage the president to revisit the decision for those people who are being targeted by Iran as the president was targeted for assassination by Iran," Cotton, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee said on "Fox News Sunday."The threat to those involved in the strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, once one of the Iranian regime's most powerful figures, is "persistent" and "real," Cotton said. "It's better to be safe than sorry," he said, "because it's not just about these men who helped President Trump carry out his policy in his first term, it's about their family and friends, innocent bystanders every time they're in public."Zoom out: Graham seemingly agreed, telling NBC's Kristen Welker Sunday, "if there is a legitimate threat against people who have served our government from a foreign adversary, I don't want to pull that protection.""The last thing we want to do in this country is tell somebody, come into our government ... come up with policies to stand up to rogue nations like Iran, they come after you, we pull the rug on you," Graham said.More from Axios' Sunday coverage:Vance tells Catholic Bishops to 'look in the mirror' over immigration policy concernsScoop: How Trump's "black box" limits outside influencesCIA favors COVID lab leak theory

President Trump and Secretary Rubio both understand Iran and how Iran reacts to perceived weakness. Pulling security from targets will be perceived as weak.

The agency is now one of three top U.S. bodies that link the COVID-19 virus to a Chinese lab.

The finding, released Saturday on the orders of President Donald Trump's pick to lead the agency, is not the result of new intelligence.

A Senate Democrat is blocking a streamlined process to vote on Trump's nominees, forcing the Senate to take lengthy procedural votes. This strategy was employed by Republicans while in the minority.

Republican senators are pitching legislation that would ban Chinese citizens and companies from buying U.S. land entirely.

President Donald Trump answered questions at a press availability on a range of topics following a White House meeting with top congressional Republicans.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., was frustrated with Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., after he blocked a confirmation vote for John Ratcliffe as CIA director.

'I guess it's going to be the hard way'

A slate of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees have appeared before senators in recent days for key hearings on their road to confirmation. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) was the first to be confirmed, securing the secretary of State position with a unanimous vote on inauguration day. Other Trump picks, though, face more resistance. A handful of [...]