Politics and views in the United States

Virginians vote for a Democratic redistricting effort, as blue voters nationwide call on elected officials to reject pro-Israel money. Trump's Fed nominee refuses to say Biden won the 2020 election and Tennessee decides not to change primary elections.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

Yes is about making sure that Virginians can meaningfully elect people who will represent them in issues like their energy prices, in issues about whether the U.S. goes to war or doesn't go to war, in issues about their health care.

Karin Charles Dongo with Virginians for Fair Elections is hailing the state's vote in favor of a Democratic mid-decade redistricting plan.

President Donald Trump told Texas lawmakers to redraw districts there to boost Republicans in the midterms, starting a national arms race.

After moves to North Carolina, California, Ohio, and Utah, the Virginia victory might put Democrats a seat ahead.

Trump announced Tuesday that the U.S. is indefinitely extending its Iran ceasefire while continuing to blockade the Strait of Hormuz.

The president says Tehran is divided and Pakistani mediators asked for a pause.

But White House threats to bomb civilian infrastructure not so far moved Iran to soften its stark demands or forced it to return to talks.

Florida Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Sherphilis McCormick resigned yesterday.

She maintains her innocence but faces charges that she stole millions of dollars from FEMA to help fund her campaign.

Her resignation may clear the way for the removal of Florida Republican Cory Mills, who is accused of domestic violence and is under bipartisan fire.

Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve would not say whether former President Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, saying only that Congress certified Biden's win.

Kevin Walsh's nomination to replace Jerome Powell is stalled over demands that investigations that put pressure on Powell end, which would reinforce Fed independence.

In congressional testimony, Walsh refused to break with the president, only pushing back on Trump's description of him.

He thought I was out of central casting.

I think central casting, I'd look older, grayer, maybe show up here with a cigar of sorts.

The White House has demanded that Powell cut interest rates, inflationary pressure from the war is making that less likely.

U.S.-Israeli military ties are having electoral consequences in Democratic primaries.

Polls show four out of five Democratic voters now have an unfavorable view of the longtime ally, and grassroots groups want candidates to reject contributions from pro-Israel groups.

Heather Kronk is with the pro-Palestine group in New Hampshire.

How can we trust someone who supports genocide around the world, and how do we trust that person to act on behalf of their constituents at home?

Tennessee lawmakers look unlikely to move the state to close primaries, which are in place in 10 states and Washington, D.C.

A bill defeated in the state Senate would have required primary voters to register with a political party.

Don Schlekevere with Think Tennessee says that would have strengthened the power of the parties.

When you go to register to vote, you would register yourself as a Republican or as a Democrat.

If you're currently registered, you would have to affiliate with a party if you wanted to participate in a primary.

The Justice Department is charging the Southern Poverty Law Center with wire fraud and money laundering.

I'm Zamone Perez for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

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