Hello, readers. Welcome back to On Politics. Zach Schermele here, USA TODAY's congressional correspondent. It's Tuesday, and all eyes in the political world this post-Labor Day week are on Dallas, Texas. Let's get into it.
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Will 'Trumpapalooza' backfire? |
President Donald Trump has a solution for his party’s midterm woes — more Trump. As my colleagues Zac Anderson and Joey Garrison report , Republicans are struggling to match Democrats’ election enthusiasm and face major headwinds to keep control of Congress. Enter "Trumpapalooza," the party’s first-ever midterm convention, starting tomorrow, and the president's clearest attempt yet to inject himself squarely at the center of the upcoming election and position himself as the party's savior. Never mind that his low approval rating has been an anchor weighing on the GOP. The president and his advisers have suggested he’s the only one who can bring the MAGA faithful to the polls. "This is a turnout race," Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters said in an interview with USA TODAY. "We need the president front and center."
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The video board inside the American Airlines Center displays the logo for the upcoming Republican Midterm Convention during a media walkthrough in Dallas, Texas, on August 5, 2026.
Brian Snyder, REUTERS
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Education Department scattering |
The federal Education Department is beginning the process of scattering employees across nine federal buildings in Washington, DC, starting today. According to the agency's union, more offices will move over the next few months either to a new, smaller headquarters or to other federal agencies. It's part of the Trump administration's broader dismantling, which officials argue will streamline government processes, but critics say will only create more bureaucratic dysfunction.
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Smithsonian leader steps down |
Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III announced that he is stepping down from his role amid the White House's escalating attacks on how the Smithsonian presents history. Bunch, the Smithsonian's first Black secretary, has led the prestigious institution, which includes 21 museums and the National Zoo, for seven years. A statement from the Smithsonian said Bunch will depart before the end of the year. He told multiple news outlets he intends to retire. Read more from my colleague Christopher Cann here.
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That's all from me today, folks. Questions? Comments? Tips? Reach me, as always, at zschermele@usatoday.com.
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Millions of disabled and elderly Americans are forced to live in institutions not home. It could happen more as Trump lawyers concede to state lawsuit
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Twenty-five years later, educators are using this story of heroism to help a new generation grasp 9/11.
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The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a lawsuit from Mississippi residents related to lead-contaminated water.
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