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Political Guyentist

Friday

NBC News
1usUpdate

Nasdaq falls 5.5% and Dow 1,833 points as weak chip earnings and fears of Democratic data-center curbs hit AI stocks

The S&P 500 fell 4.4%, its worst day since the April 2025 tariffs, per NBC. The Nasdaq is now in a correction (10% or more below its recent peak).

Democrats swept the midterms on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Nasdaq 100 futures fell overnight. They recovered by Wednesday morning, Nov. 4. The Dow closed that day with its best gain since April 9, 2025, per ABC News.

ContextFrom 2000 through 2025, the Nasdaq closed down 5.5% or more on 28 days, by our count of FRED data. Only two of them fell in 2021–2025. Those 28 days include March 16, 2020, when the Nasdaq fell 12.32%. Goldman Sachs estimates that come January, 45% of planned U.S. data-center capacity will sit in states led by Democrats who back moratoriums, per CNN. That counts where capacity sits. It does not say how much will be delayed. ")

NBC NEWS10 sources

2uscontestedHegseth's Pentagon

Thomas Massie will force a House vote next week on eight impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Several House Republicans told Fox they think it could pass; Trump says he has "every intention" of keeping Hegseth.

What Article VI says Hegseth did to Sen. Mark Kelly: Jan. 5, 2026: Hegseth sent Mark Kelly (Sen-D Arizona) a censure letter over Kelly's reminder that troops can refuse illegal orders. The letter told the Navy secretary to recommend whether to cut Kelly's retired rank; the Navy cited the censure as its only basis. Feb. 12: Judge Richard Leon blocked the Navy proceeding, finding Kelly likely to win his First Amendment claim.

ContextSince 1789, the House has impeached two Cabinet secretaries (formally charged them, which sends the case to a Senate trial). Neither was removed. The Senate acquitted War Secretary William Belknap in 1876. In 2024, it dismissed the charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Removal takes two-thirds of senators present, or 67 of 100. If every Democrat and independent votes to convict, at least 20 of the 53 Senate Republicans must join them.

FOX NEWS12 sources

3usUpdatecontestedIran war

Trump meets his security team and says he'll decide 'soon' whether to resume full-scale strikes on Iran

Axios reports Qatar's two-day draft: the U.S. lifts its naval blockade and frees some frozen funds as Iran invites UN inspectors, then the Strait of Hormuz reopens.

- Oct. 21–23 — Iran and the Houthis claimed attacks on Gulf ships and Saudi oil sites. Brent crude closed at $116.72 a barrel on Oct. 23, Reuters reported. - Oct. 22–25 — The U.S. pulled non-emergency staff from Saudi Arabia, then cut embassy staff in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the UAE over Iranian plots. - Oct. 26 — Trump called it 'decision time': either a deal or resumed attacks. A third U.S. aircraft carrier headed to the region. - Oct. 27–31 — Saudi, Turkish, Pakistani and Qatari envoys pressed Tehran for an interim deal that trades UN inspectors for partial sanctions relief. - Nov. 2–3 — U.S. forces struck Iran's Qeshm Island. Iran offered to reopen Hormuz within two days if the U.S. lifted sanctions and its blockade. - Nov. 4 — Iran's Revolutionary Guards said mines destroyed four tankers in Hormuz; BBC Verify found no evidence. CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent want the blockade and sanctions to run longer, Axios reported.

ContextHormuz carried 10.3 million barrels of oil a day in October, per early Vortexa estimates. The IEA's 2025 average was 19.87 million. The IAEA's last count put Iran's stock of uranium enriched up to 60%, near bomb grade, at 440.9 kilograms. That count dates to June 13, 2025. The agency's June 2026 report says it can no longer tell the stockpile's size, makeup or location.

PBS NEWSHOUR8 sources

Friday · The daily brief

Nov 62026

3 leads21 briefs22 min

BoardScroll

Executive summary3 stories

News news3

  1. Nasdaq falls 5.5% and Dow 1,833 points as weak chip earnings and fears of Democratic data-center curbs hit AI stocksThe S&P 500 fell 4.4%, its worst day since the April 2025 tariffs, per NBC. The Nasdaq is now in a correction (10% or more below its recent peak).
  2. Thomas Massie will force a House vote next week on eight impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete HegsethSeveral House Republicans told Fox they think it could pass; Trump says he has "every intention" of keeping Hegseth.
  3. Trump meets his security team and says he'll decide 'soon' whether to resume full-scale strikes on IranAxios reports Qatar's two-day draft: the U.S. lifts its naval blockade and frees some frozen funds as Iran invites UN inspectors, then the Strait of Hormuz reopens.

News news3 stories

Ongoing1 earlier update2 days

This story has run 2 times over 2 days, starting Nov 4.

  1. Nasdaq 100 futures fell as much as 2.5% on the Democratic sweep, then rose by Wednesday morning, Nov. 4
  2. UpdateNasdaq falls 5.5% and Dow 1,833 points as weak chip earnings and fears of Democratic data-center curbs hit AI stocks — this issue
NBC NEWSUpdate

Nasdaq falls 5.5% and Dow 1,833 points as weak chip earnings and fears of Democratic data-center curbs hit AI stocks

The S&P 500 fell 4.4%, its worst day since the April 2025 tariffs, per NBC. The Nasdaq is now in a correction (10% or more below its recent peak).

Stocks fell hard on Thursday, Nov. 5, erasing the post-election rally of Wednesday, Nov. 4. Investors sold AI and chip shares. NBC and Reuters tied the selling to weak chip earnings and to fears that Democrats who won the Tuesday, Nov. 3 midterms will slow data-center construction.

The losses. The Dow fell 3.4%. The Nasdaq lost more than $2 trillion in value, per NPR and the Guardian. The Philadelphia semiconductor index fell 12.3%, its worst day since March 2020, per NBC. AMD closed down 17%, Nvidia 9% and SanDisk more than 22%, per ABC News. Qualcomm fell 9.5% and Arm 13%, per NBC. Elon Musk's SpaceX and Tesla each fell about 10%.

The explanations. Analyst Dan Ives called the "blue tidal wave across the Senate and House" "a seismic shift that will have a negative impact on the pace of the AI Revolution buildout." Trump wrote on Truth Social that the market "crashed today because the Dumocrats had a big Tuesday — So sad to see, you only have yourselves to blame!"

What next. Stock futures pointed lower again for Friday, Nov. 6.

Catch upwhat happened before · 1 earlier issue

Democrats swept the midterms on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Nasdaq 100 futures fell overnight. They recovered by Wednesday morning, Nov. 4. The Dow closed that day with its best gain since April 9, 2025, per ABC News.

What else was weighing on chip stocks before Thursday, Nov. 5In October, chip and cloud stocks were already selling off over interest rates and AI overspending, per CNBC.2 details
  • In October, chip and cloud stocks were already selling off over interest rates and AI overspending, per CNBC.
  • On the night of Wednesday, Nov. 4, Qualcomm and Arm reported results that NBC called mixed.
Currently showing Days the Nasdaq closed down 5.5% or more, by year, 2000–2025
Days the Nasdaq closed down 5.5% or more, by year, 2000–2025
5.5% Nasdaq drops come in crashes: days the Nasdaq closed down 5.5% or more, by year, 2000–2025Bar chart with one bar per calendar year from 2000 through 2025. Each bar counts the trading days on which the Nasdaq Composite closed at least 5.5% below the prior trading day's close. Counts: 2000, 9; 2001, 6; 2008, 6; 2009, 1; 2011, 1; 2020, 3; 2025, 2. The other 19 years had none and are shown as short marks on the baseline. Total: 28 days. The worst single day was March 16, 2020, down 12.32%. On Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, the Nasdaq closed down 5.5%, as reported by ABC News. 2026 is not counted and has no bar. Political Guyentist calculated the counts from FRED's NASDAQCOM daily closing levels. A day counts when (close minus prior close) divided by prior close is at or below minus 5.5%. The threshold is applied before rounding, holidays are skipped and intraday moves are ignored. The denominator is the trading days in each calendar year. These are derived counts, not figures published by Nasdaq.5.5% Nasdaq drops come in crashesDays the Nasdaq closed down 5.5% or more,by year, 2000–2025: 28 days in allDays per year10509661132200020052010201520202025Worst: −12.32%Mar. 16, 2020Thursday, Nov. 5: −5.5%This year not countedSource: FRED (Nasdaq daily closes), countsby Political Guyentist; Thursday: ABC News
Days the Nasdaq closed down 5.5% or more, by year, 2000–2025
Ongoing1 earlier update19 days

This story has run 2 times over 19 days, starting Oct 18.

  1. Democratic ads target House and Senate Iran war votes and single out Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
  2. Thomas Massie will force a House vote next week on eight impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — this issue
FOX NEWSHegseth's Pentagon

Thomas Massie will force a House vote next week on eight impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Several House Republicans told Fox they think it could pass; Trump says he has "every intention" of keeping Hegseth.

Thomas Massie (Rep-R Kentucky) plans to file his eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth as a privileged resolution when Congress returns. He told ABC he will introduce it Monday, Nov. 9, or Tuesday, Nov. 10. Massie lost his May primary after Trump endorsed his opponent, so he leaves office Jan. 3.

The procedure. A privileged resolution (one that skips committee) forces a House vote within two legislative days. Leaders can first move to table it, which kills it without a vote on impeachment itself.

The count. One unnamed House Republican told Fox that Hegseth is "screwed." Another said: "If he introduces it, it'll pass." Fox also reported that most House Republicans still oppose impeaching him.

Hegseth's answer. In a nearly six-minute video filmed outside the Pentagon and posted Thursday, Nov. 5, he called them "sham articles of impeachment" from "a disgruntled, defeated congressman." He also asked Congress for at least $350 billion in defense money through reconciliation (a budget process that needs only a simple Senate majority).

The White House. Trump said he has "every intention to keep him." A Trump adviser told Axios that Hegseth is "definitely on thin ice," with "complications."

What next. Massie plans to file Nov. 9 or 10; the first vote may be a motion to table, not impeachment.

BackgroundWhat Article VI says Hegseth did to Sen. Mark Kelly3 facts
  • Jan. 5, 2026: Hegseth sent Mark Kelly (Sen-D Arizona) a censure letter over Kelly's reminder that troops can refuse illegal orders.
  • The letter told the Navy secretary to recommend whether to cut Kelly's retired rank; the Navy cited the censure as its only basis.
  • Feb. 12: Judge Richard Leon blocked the Navy proceeding, finding Kelly likely to win his First Amendment claim.

Red take

The House should table Thomas Massie's articles, because the abuse they charge has already met its check: Richard Leon, a federal judge, froze the Navy's case against Sen. Mark Kelly in February. Impeaching a defense secretary the Senate is unlikely to remove, when it removed neither Cabinet secretary the House impeached since 1789, hands a Kentucky Republican leaving office Jan. 3 a parting shot and dulls the House's heaviest weapon.

Blue take

Pete Hegseth turned the Pentagon on a senator for something he said, and that is what impeachment is for. His Jan. 5 censure of Mark Kelly, the Arizona Democrat who reminded troops they may refuse illegal orders, was the Navy's only basis for weighing a cut to Kelly's retired rank. Table these articles, and the next defense secretary learns that punishing a lawmaker's speech risks nothing worse than a judge's order to stop.

Ongoing33 earlier updates58 days

This story has run 34 times over 58 days, starting Sep 9.

  1. Houthi missiles and drones hit 4 Saudi cities, wounding 73 and halting Aramco's 400,000-barrel-a-day Jazan refinery
  2. UpdateBrent oil exceeds $100 a barrel; US diesel reaches $5.94 a gallon
  3. Houthis capture Yemen's Mokha from Saudi-backed forces 46 miles from Bab el-Mandeb
  4. UpdateHouthi forces captured Mokha and Perim island in the 28-kilometer Bab el-Mandeb strait.
  5. UpdateA day after the Bab el-Mandeb capture, maritime monitors have recorded no new transit halts
  6. UpdateSaudi Arabia shuts Hormuz-bypass pipeline, oil rises more than $3 with 4% of supply at risk
  7. UpdateHouthis seize two more Red Sea islands as Saudi pipeline faces 3-to-5-week outage
  8. UpdateSaudi Arabia suspends loadings at its last open oil terminal; September cargoes cancelled
  9. Attacks on Saudi export pipeline push WTI crude to $107.02 a barrel, a 30-day high
  10. UpdateHouthi missiles hit Riyadh, burning a fuel depot near King Khalid airport
  11. UpdateSaudi Arabia says it intercepted a Houthi missile aimed at Riyadh
  12. UpdateTrump declined a prepared U.S. air campaign against the Houthis, giving Saudi Arabia intelligence and targeting data instead
  13. UpdateSaudi Arabia tested its shut east-west pipeline for a restart as oil fell below $98
  14. Chris Murphy (Sen-D Connecticut) says Pentagon is hiding Iran war damage and a deal isn't imminent
  15. UpdateStrike on Riyadh airport kills 12, including an American; Trump says the U.S. "may" join Saudi strikes on the Houthis
  16. UpdateRiyadh airport hit again Sunday, Oct. 11, killing one; Saturday's strike toll rises to at least 13, including an American
  17. UpdateSaudi Arabia investigates why its air defenses failed to stop the Houthi strike that killed at least 13 at Riyadh's airport
  18. UpdateSaudi-led coalition bombs Houthi oil facilities and a fuel depot in Yemen after a Riyadh airport strike killed at least 13
  19. Houthi strike damages 3 floors of Aramco's Dhahran headquarters, including executive offices; no casualties
  20. Brent crude touches $110 a barrel, its first time there since May 20, after Saudi-led forces intercept missiles aimed at energy hubs
  21. Iran is giving the Houthis targeting and intelligence help for their strikes on Saudi Arabia, WSJ reports
  22. Judge jails ex-OpenAI engineer accused of bugging executives; prosecutors say Saudi official flew his family out
  23. UpdateBrent crude tops $111 a barrel, its highest since May, after Iran and the Houthis claim attacks on Gulf ships and Saudi oil sites
  24. UpdateState Department orders non-emergency U.S. staff and families out of Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks on airports and oil sites
  25. Brent crude hits $116-117 a barrel Friday, Oct. 23, on fears the Iran war escalates again
  26. UpdateU.S. cuts staff at embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the UAE after intelligence chief says Iranian plots to kill Americans are at 'advanced stages'
  27. UpdateTrump says it's 'decision time' on Iran: a deal, or resumed attacks to 'finish it off'
  28. Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani envoys meet Iran's security chiefs in Tehran to push for a U.S.-Iran deal
  29. Qatar-led mediators urge Iran to admit UN inspectors for partial U.S. sanctions relief; U.S. and Israeli officials expect a week of strikes after the midterms without a deal
  30. UpdateQatari mediators return to Tehran to push an interim U.S.-Iran deal as Trump says the war will end 'soon'
  31. UpdateIran says it can reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the U.S. lifts sanctions and its port blockade; the U.S. strikes Iran's Qeshm Island as Trump says there's 'no rush' to decide on resuming the war
  32. UpdateIran says mines destroyed four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, which the BBC has not verified; Trump says the war cost Republican votes but he does not regret it
  33. UpdateTrump weighs resuming Iran strikes, negotiating, or keeping the blockade and sanctions after the midterms, Axios reports
  34. UpdateTrump meets his security team and says he'll decide 'soon' whether to resume full-scale strikes on Iran — this issue
PBS NEWSHOURUpdateIran war

Trump meets his security team and says he'll decide 'soon' whether to resume full-scale strikes on Iran

Axios reports Qatar's two-day draft: the U.S. lifts its naval blockade and frees some frozen funds as Iran invites UN inspectors, then the Strait of Hormuz reopens.

Donald Trump met his national security advisers on Thursday, Nov. 5, their first Iran meeting since the Tuesday, Nov. 3 midterms, Axios reported. He said he would soon decide whether to resume full-scale strikes on Iran, eight months into the war. He also acknowledged that the war contributed to Republicans' midterm losses. “If we have to do the rest of the Iran thing, we're very much locked in,” he told reporters, per the AP.

“I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I will have to. You'll know soon enough.”Donald Trump, to reporters in the Oval Office, per Axios

Tehran's moves. Iran's top security official, Mohsen Rezaei, met Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin the same day. He said afterward that Iran will not reopen Hormuz or negotiate until the U.S. meets its seven conditions, Axios reported. Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, posted on X, per TIME: “Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message.”

The Qatari draft. Qatari mediators are still discussing a two-day plan with Iran and the White House, Axios reported, citing regional sources. On day one, the U.S. would lift its naval blockade and release some frozen Iranian funds, and Iran would invite UN nuclear inspectors to bombed sites. On day two, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen and nuclear talks would resume.

What next. Trump said the decision would come “soon” and gave no date. Central Command is finalizing plans to possibly resume major combat but has no new order, a U.S. official told Axios.

Catch upwhat happened before · 33 earlier issues
  • Oct. 21–23 — Iran and the Houthis claimed attacks on Gulf ships and Saudi oil sites. Brent crude closed at $116.72 a barrel on Oct. 23, Reuters reported.
  • Oct. 22–25 — The U.S. pulled non-emergency staff from Saudi Arabia, then cut embassy staff in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the UAE over Iranian plots.
  • Oct. 26 — Trump called it 'decision time': either a deal or resumed attacks. A third U.S. aircraft carrier headed to the region.
  • Oct. 27–31 — Saudi, Turkish, Pakistani and Qatari envoys pressed Tehran for an interim deal that trades UN inspectors for partial sanctions relief.
  • Nov. 2–3 — U.S. forces struck Iran's Qeshm Island. Iran offered to reopen Hormuz within two days if the U.S. lifted sanctions and its blockade.
  • Nov. 4 — Iran's Revolutionary Guards said mines destroyed four tankers in Hormuz; BBC Verify found no evidence. CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent want the blockade and sanctions to run longer, Axios reported.
32 earlier issues
What the IAEA says Iran must hand over for inspections to countRecords of where its uranium is, how much there is, in what chemical form and at what enrichment, plus centrifuge counts4 details
  • Records of where its uranium is, how much there is, in what chemical form and at what enrichment, plus centrifuge counts
  • Design reports on the bombed facilities and the nuclear material inside them
  • Inspector access to the Isfahan tunnel complex, where uranium enriched to 20% and 60% was stored
  • The plan leans on a September 2025 inspection deal signed in Cairo, which Iran told the IAEA it ended in November 2025

Red take

Qatar's two-day plan pays Iran for an invitation: the blockade lifts and frozen funds flow before a single inspector confirms anything. The UN nuclear watchdog says inspections count only with full uranium records and access to the Isfahan tunnels, where 60% enriched uranium was stored. John Ratcliffe, the CIA director, and Scott Bessent, the Treasury secretary, reportedly urged letting the blockade run longer; drop it now and Iran pockets the cash with its stockpile still unaccounted for.

Blue take

No bomb puts an inspector inside Iran; Qatar's draft gets inspectors invited and the Strait of Hormuz reopened within two days, and the blockade can come back if Tehran stalls on access. Brent crude hit $117 a barrel last month after claimed attacks on Gulf ships and Saudi oil sites. Trump's alternative, in his words, is to 'destroy the rest of the country': more war, with no one watching the uranium.

Quick bites19

Courts4 bites

  1. Unsealed transcript shows US held talks with Iran on deporting Iranians through a third country mid-war

    ABC NEWSIran war

    U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ordered the government to give 24 hours' notice once plans are final and 5 days' written notice before any removal. At an Oct. 15 hearing, she asked, "We are going to remove people in our custody to a country with which we are at war?" The transcript shows U.S. officials kept in contact with Iranian officials over the removals, the AP reported. A Justice Department lawyer said the U.S. would move detainees to a third country, and Iran would bring them from there, ABC reported.

    What the record showsDOJ attorney Dimitar Georgiev-Remmel's answer to the judge: "Yes, your honor.3 details
    • DOJ attorney Dimitar Georgiev-Remmel's answer to the judge: "Yes, your honor. The government is executing lawful orders of removal."
    • The government's filings do not name the third country. In the past week, Iran's interest section in Washington told at least 12 Iranian detainees of a deportation flight to Iran through Pakistan, the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund said, as reported by The Guardian.
    • No removal date was set as of the Oct. 15 hearing, the DOJ attorney told the court.

  2. Meta, TikTok and Google sue California to block its law limiting endless scrolling for kids under 16

    THE HILL

    The three companies filed separate federal suits on Wednesday, Nov. 4, against AB 1709, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. They argue it violates the First Amendment and is preempted by Section 230, per Courthouse News. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law on Sept. 10. It bars autoplay and personalized feeds for users under 16, TechCrunch reports.

  3. Five-judge New York appeals panel hears Trump's bid to overturn his 34-count hush money conviction

    CNN

    Appellate Division judges questioned whether presidential immunity or federal campaign-finance law bars New York's case over the $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. The panel heard arguments on Thursday, Nov. 5, and did not rule that day.

    The caseConviction: 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, from a Manhattan jury in May 2024.3 details
    • Conviction: 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, from a Manhattan jury in May 2024.
    • Trump's lawyers from Sullivan & Cromwell called it the "most politically charged prosecution in our Nation's history" (ABC News).
    • Next: a separate federal appeal over moving the case out of state court is set for argument on Monday, Nov. 16 (AP).

  4. DOJ again asks judge to vacate Steve Bannon's 2022 contempt-of-Congress conviction

    NBC NEWS

    DOJ filed the renewed motion on Thursday, Nov. 5, and Bannon's lawyers did not oppose it, NBC News reports. Judge Carl Nichols denied an earlier bid in August, saying DOJ had not adequately explained why it wanted to drop the case. Bannon already served his four-month sentence, so the motion is about his record, not his freedom.

    • Conviction: 2 counts of contempt of Congress, 2022
    • DOJ's stated reasons: "significant doubts" about the trial's fairness, and Trump's Jan. 6 pardons, which it says make affirming the conviction "inconsistent with this Administration's enforcement priorities" (NBC News)
Republicans after the rout3 bites

  1. Scalise tells House GOP chairs to list likely Democratic probes and targets before losing power

    FOX NEWSUpdate

    House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (Rep-R Louisiana) told House GOP chairs in a letter on Thursday, Nov. 5, to use their final weeks in charge to prepare for Democratic probes. He gave them three tasks. List the probes Democrats are likely to open. Name who they'll target. And review recent Supreme Court rulings and a DOJ opinion on executive privilege.

    Democrats won the House. On Nov. 4 they said they plan to investigate the Trump family business, DOGE, immigration enforcement and the Epstein files. Robert Garcia leads their push. They get committee subpoena power when their majority is seated in January, AP reports. Also on Nov. 4, Speaker Mike Johnson (Rep-R Louisiana) said he won't run for minority leader. Scalise and Jim Jordan (Rep-R Ohio) want the job, and House Republicans vote on Nov. 10, CBS News reports.

    What Democrats say they'll investigateLikely Oversight chair Robert Garcia (Rep-D California) named Trump family business deals, the Epstein investigation and ICE…3 details
    • Likely Oversight chair Robert Garcia (Rep-D California) named Trump family business deals, the Epstein investigation and ICE operations among his five priorities, per AP.
    • House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (Rep-D New York) has not ruled out a third impeachment of Trump, AP reports.
    • Scalise: Democrats "will weaponize every single gavel," so Republicans "must maximize our remaining days in power."

  2. DOJ civil rights chief Harmeet Dhillon resigns, the first senior exit since GOP midterm losses, per CNN and Axios

    NBC NEWS

    Attorney General Todd Blanche accepted the resignation after Dhillon's 18 months running a division that lost more than 75% of its staff last year, per CBS News.

    Her division's recordSued 30 states plus D.C. for voter registration lists; judges dismissed 27 of the cases (NBC News)3 details
    • Sued 30 states plus D.C. for voter registration lists; judges dismissed 27 of the cases (NBC News)
    • Dismissed more than 50 decades-old school desegregation consent decrees (CBS News)
    • Sent about 1,000 federal monitors to the midterms in all 50 states (Axios)

  3. 46 Trump-backed House candidates lost and half his Senate picks won, per a Guardian tally, as Republicans blame Trump and the Iran war

    CBS NEWSIran war

    Trump told reporters it was "largely true" that the Iran war cost Republicans the House and Senate, but said, "If I had to do it again, I'd have to do it again," per CBS News. NPR reports he also blamed GOP candidates and Fox News.

    Trump's endorsement record, per a Guardian tally on Wednesday, Nov. 4Senate: 13 of 26 Trump-endorsed candidates had won, 11 had lost and 2 were uncalled.3 details
    • Senate: 13 of 26 Trump-endorsed candidates had won, 11 had lost and 2 were uncalled.
    • Governor: 9 of 23 had won, 12 had lost and 2 were uncalled.
    • House: 46 Trump-backed candidates had lost; roughly 60% had won.

    French Hill (Rep-R Arkansas) outspent Democrat Chris Jones 3 to 1 and won by under 2 points, Politico reports. "President Trump's unfavorability had a lot of impact on races across the country," Hill said.

At the White House2 bites

  1. Melania Trump hosts Russian and Ukrainian envoys at White House to mark her six-day Oleshky truce

    NPRRussia-Ukraine war

    The truce she brokered began Oct. 27 and let hundreds evacuate Russian-occupied Oleshky. At her event on Thursday, Nov. 5, attended by Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Ukrainian MP Davyd Arakhamia, she called for a peace "more enduring than a temporary ceasefire."

    Who came and what's nextOmbudsmen Yana Lantratova (Russia) and Dmytro Lubinets (Ukraine) also attended; Lubinets gave her the Order of Princess Olga, 1st…3 details
    • Ombudsmen Yana Lantratova (Russia) and Dmytro Lubinets (Ukraine) also attended; Lubinets gave her the Order of Princess Olga, 1st Class.
    • President Trump met Dmitriev separately at the White House and told reporters "it's going to be a big agreement," NPR reported.
    • The U.S. will mediate Russia-Ukraine talks in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10–11, envoy Steve Witkoff said Monday, Nov. 2, Reuters reported.

  2. Trump proclaims the Oval Office, Outer Oval Office and Cabinet Room a national monument to lock in his redesign

    THE GUARDIAN

    Trump said the proclamation would stop future presidents from undoing his gold-accented redesign, and that Congress would have to ratify it. AP reports that it does not stop a successor from rolling the proclamation back or from redecorating.

    Also this weekIt was his third day of remarks this week on his Washington projects, per AP: the Reflecting Pool on Monday, Nov. 2, the ballroom…3 details
    • It was his third day of remarks this week on his Washington projects, per AP: the Reflecting Pool on Monday, Nov. 2, the ballroom on Wednesday, Nov. 4, and the Oval Office on Thursday, Nov. 5.
    • The ballroom is being built on the site of the demolished East Wing (The Guardian).
    • Trump said the rooms "will not be allowed to be touched by anybody, destroyed, ripped down by stupid people."
The new Democratic Senate2 bites

  1. Alito tells Fox News he won't retire, closing off a lame-duck Supreme Court pick

    WASHINGTON EXAMINERUpdateAlito's retirement

    Justice Samuel Alito, 76, told Fox News on Thursday, Nov. 5, that he has no plans to retire and will serve at least through the current term, which ends in late June. Nothing new was reported about Justice Clarence Thomas.

    On Nov. 4, conservatives warned that the new Democratic Senate majority would likely keep Trump from replacing Thomas or Alito.

    The judge countTrump has had 56 federal judges confirmed so far in his second term, per the Washington Examiner.3 details
    • Trump has had 56 federal judges confirmed so far in his second term, per the Washington Examiner.
    • His first term produced 234 confirmed judges over four full years, including 3 Supreme Court justices.
    • Alito told Bloomberg in late September: "I intend to stick around through this term. I made that decision many months ago."

  2. Van Hollen won't challenge Schumer for Senate majority leader, a source told NewsNation

    THE HILLBattle for the Senate

    A source close to Chris Van Hollen (Sen-D Maryland) told NewsNation he wants the caucus to talk about its agenda before it picks a leader. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (Sen-D New York) needs only a majority of Senate Democrats to keep the job, per Fox News. "I'll be re-elected as majority leader," Schumer told reporters on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

    • Senators-elect who oppose Schumer include Adam Hamilton of Kansas, who said "we need new leadership," per Fox News, and Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, who told CNN on Thursday, Nov. 5, he would vote for Van Hollen, per The Hill.
    • Democrats' Senate majority stands at 54 seats so far, per Fox News.
    • Democrats lead in the two uncalled races, Alaska and Mississippi; winning both would make 9 pickups, per Politico.
Also tonight4 bites

  1. Wisconsin infant dies of measles, the state's first measles death since 1990, health officials say; state tallies count eight US deaths this year

    WASHINGTON EXAMINERMeasles outbreak

    State health departments count eight US measles deaths this year, which NBC News calls the highest toll since 1991. Six died in Pennsylvania and one each in New York and Wisconsin. The CDC has confirmed four of the deaths so far. State health departments say none of the eight were vaccinated.

    • Wisconsin has 431 confirmed measles cases this year as of Nov. 3, with 9 hospitalizations, per the state health department.
    • Only 79.8% of Wisconsin 2-year-olds had at least one MMR dose in 2025, per state health data; experts put the coverage needed to stop spread at 95%, NBC News reports.
    • The CDC has confirmed 4,852 US cases this year, more than double last year, per NBC News, which counts nearly 1,500 in Pennsylvania's outbreak across 45 counties.

  2. Newsom says he will commute all 548 California death sentences to life without parole

    AXIOS

    Newsom already halted executions with a 2019 moratorium that reprieved 737 prisoners. This replaces the sentences themselves. The 382 prisoners with more than one felony conviction still need California Supreme Court approval, Newsom said, per NBC News.

    The numbers and the limitsDeath-row count: Newsom's office says 548; NBC News cites state corrections records listing 561 as of Tuesday, Nov. 3.3 details
    • Death-row count: Newsom's office says 548; NBC News cites state corrections records listing 561 as of Tuesday, Nov. 3.
    • Removes a quarter or more of the U.S. death-row population, per The New York Times and Axios; the Death Penalty Information Center says nearly 30%.
    • California's last execution was Clarence Ray Allen on Jan. 17, 2006; Gov.-elect Xavier Becerra, a Democrat, has committed to keeping the moratorium, per The New York Times.

  3. Hegseth authorizes D.C. Guard to patrol with 60 marked police cars, Humvees and boats

    PBS NEWSHOURHegseth's Pentagon

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Oct. 29 memos also add 20 light towers and two patrol boats, the AP reported. At a D.C. Council hearing on Thursday, Nov. 5, Councilmember Brooke Pinto asked the incoming Democratic governors of Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio and Texas to pull their states' troops. She called it "something they can do on their first day in office."

    The numbersCap: 3,500 troops, unchanged; nearly 3,100 are deployed now, per the AP3 details
    • Cap: 3,500 troops, unchanged; nearly 3,100 are deployed now, per the AP
    • Summer peak during the 250th anniversary: about 5,000
    • From Pinto's five states: 628, including 514 from Georgia and 110 from Iowa, per the Washington Times

  4. Tech firms offer cash and concessions after data-center limits win an average 75% of the vote; Georgia's governor-elect plans a pause

    CBS NEWSUpdate

    Voters approved nearly every data-center restriction on the ballot. Now tech companies are offering communities money and concessions, Axios reports. Georgia Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat, told CBS she will sign an executive order pausing new development. In September she said she was unsure an order alone could do it, WABE reported. Meta's president says a governor-elect who campaigned on the issue has asked to meet, per the Washington Examiner.

    On Tuesday, Nov. 3, voters in about 10 states approved measures restricting data centers, per Axios. The one exception was Harwood, North Dakota. There, 75.6% voted down a measure requiring extra review of big industrial projects, per Ballotpedia.

    The vote and the stakesRestriction measures won an average 75% of the vote, per Axios; its tally is 43 wins and 1 loss, while CBS counts 44 passed.3 details
    • Restriction measures won an average 75% of the vote, per Axios; its tally is 43 wins and 1 loss, while CBS counts 44 passed.
    • Analysts cited by Axios say about 60% of planned 2028 U.S. data-center capacity faces a risk of delay; Axios does not name them or give a breakdown.
    • Meta has data centers in 23 states, per the Washington Examiner.
Elections4 bites

  1. Democrat Scott Colom's lead over Cindy Hyde-Smith (Sen-R Mississippi) grows to 1,813 votes as Senate GOP eyes legal action

    ABC NEWSUpdateBattle for the Senate

    As of Thursday evening, Nov. 5, Colom had 466,775 votes (49.0%) to Hyde-Smith's 464,962 (48.9%) with about 96% counted, per ABC News and The Washington Post. Secretary of State Michael Watson said about 3,600 mail ballots were still out on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Affidavit ballots are also still being counted. Mississippi has no recount that candidates can request.

    Catch upwhat happened before · 1 earlier issue

    On Nov. 4, ABC News had Democrat Scott Colom ahead of Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith by 1,138 votes with about 96% counted, and AP had not called the race.

    Still to settleOn Thursday, Nov. 5, Hyde-Smith's lawyers and the Senate GOP's campaign arm told all 82 counties to set aside and preserve…4 details
    • On Thursday, Nov. 5, Hyde-Smith's lawyers and the Senate GOP's campaign arm told all 82 counties to set aside and preserve affidavit ballots, a first step toward possible legal action (The Hill).
    • Mail ballots postmarked by Election Day count if they arrive within 5 business days, a law the Supreme Court upheld 5-4 in Watson v. RNC on June 29.
    • The race likely won't be called before Tuesday, Nov. 10, University of Mississippi political scientist Julie Wronski told the BBC.
    • Independent Ty Pinkins drew about 20,000 votes.
    Ongoing1

    This story has run 2 times, starting Nov 5.

    1. UpdateDemocrat Scott Colom leads Cindy Hyde-Smith (Sen-R Mississippi) by 1,138 votes with 96% counted
    2. UpdateDemocrat Scott Colom's lead over Cindy Hyde-Smith (Sen-R Mississippi) grows to 1,813 votes as Senate GOP eyes legal action — this issue

  2. Democrats pass 250 House seats as Reps. Mike Turner and NRCC chair Richard Hudson lose

    THE NEW YORK TIMESUpdateBattle for the House

    Democrats passed 250 House seats on Thursday, Nov. 5, after AP calls ousted Mike Turner (Rep-R Ohio) and NRCC Chair Richard Hudson (Rep-R North Carolina), Politico reported. The party last won that many seats in 2008. Turner lost to Democrat Kristina Knickerbocker, and Hudson to Democrat Richard Ojeda. NBC now projects 259 Democratic seats, above the 257 the party won in 2008.

    Catch upwhat happened before · 10 earlier issues
    • Sep. 27 — Cook Political Report projected Republicans would lose the House and called a Democratic Senate majority no longer a long shot.
    • Sep. 30–Oct. 7 — Republicans moved Senate money to defend Texas; Cook shifted Kansas to toss-up and projected Democrats gaining 2 to 6 Senate seats, needing 4.
    • Oct. 10–19 — Democrats started a $5 million Kansas ad buy against Roger Marshall (Sen-R Kansas), then trailing Adam Hamilton by under a point; Trump campaigned there.
    • Oct. 21 — Trump promised farmers $8 billion in diesel relief, with checks unlikely before Election Day.
    • Oct. 24–30 — Over 20 million voted early, 45% registered Democrats to 30% Republicans; CNN polls showed Maine and Kansas Senate races tied.
    • Nov. 4 — Democrats won the House and Senate, flipping seven Republican Senate seats, including Kansas, which had not elected a Democratic senator in 94 years.
    • Nov. 4 — By 5:15 p.m. ET, NBC had called 242 House seats for Democrats to 150, projecting 258 or more; Alaska and Mississippi Senate races were still uncalled.
    9 earlier issues
    The size of itNational House popular vote so far: Democrats 55.3%, Republicans 43.3%, a 12-point margin (NBC).3 details
    • National House popular vote so far: Democrats 55.3%, Republicans 43.3%, a 12-point margin (NBC).
    • Battleground districts shifted almost 17 points toward Democrats compared with the 2024 presidential margin (NBC).
    • The AP had called 9 of North Carolina's 14 seats for Democrats by Thursday, Nov. 5, on a map drawn to favor Republicans in 11 (NPR; Politico).
    Ongoing10

    This story has run 11 times over 44 days, starting Sep 23.

    1. Senate Democrats can force an Iran war powers vote this week, needing five Republican crossovers
    2. Cook Political Report now projects Republicans will lose the House, five weeks before Election Day
    3. Republicans move Senate money to defend Texas and send Trump to Ohio as Georgia and North Carolina slip
    4. Cook moves Kansas Senate race to toss-up and shifts North Carolina and New Hampshire toward Democrats
    5. UpdateDemocrats' Senate Majority PAC starts $5 million Kansas ad buy against Sen. Roger Marshall
    6. Trump campaigns in Kansas on Monday, Oct. 19, as Roger Marshall (Sen-R Kansas) trails Democrat Adam Hamilton by under a point in one poll
    7. Over 20 million have voted early; registered Democrats cast 45% of returned ballots, Republicans 30%
    8. CNN polls: Democrats lead by 7 in Michigan and 6 in Texas; Maine and Kansas, both 49% to 45%, are statistical ties
    9. Democrats win control of the House and Senate, flipping seven Republican Senate seats
    10. UpdateNBC calls 11 more House seats for Democrats on Wednesday, Nov. 4, reaching 242 to 150; Alaska and Mississippi Senate races still uncalled
    11. UpdateDemocrats pass 250 House seats as Reps. Mike Turner and NRCC chair Richard Hudson lose — this issue

  3. Trump says 'Fake Dan Sullivan' votes should go to Sen. Sullivan, who trails Mary Peltola by 637 in Alaska's first-choice count

    POLITICOAlaska Senate race

    Democrat Mary Peltola leads Dan Sullivan (Sen-R Alaska) 102,962 to 102,325 in the state's latest count, last updated Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 4, the Anchorage Daily News reported Thursday. On Thursday, Nov. 5, Trump posted that votes for Dan J. Sullivan and Gerald Heikes should be 'immediately given to the REAL Dan Sullivan.' Dan J. Sullivan is a different candidate who shares the senator's name on the ballot. Trump has no power over Alaska's election procedures.

    The countDan J. Sullivan drew 3,600 votes (1.68%) and Gerald Heikes 4,846 (2.26%), per the Division of Elections.2 details
    • Dan J. Sullivan drew 3,600 votes (1.68%) and Gerald Heikes 4,846 (2.26%), per the Division of Elections.
    • Military and overseas ballots can arrive up to 15 days after Election Day (USA Today); if no one clears 50%, ranked-choice tabulation runs Nov. 18 (Anchorage Daily News).

  4. Councilmember Nithya Raman, a democratic socialist, unseats Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, 52.1% to 47.9% at AP's call

    THE GUARDIAN

    AP called the race on Thursday, Nov. 5, with 76% counted and Raman ahead 429,450 votes to 394,796, per NBC Los Angeles. Raman, 45, had endorsed Bass earlier this year. Bass conceded the same day.

    • She will be the first Asian American mayor of Los Angeles (ABC7 Los Angeles).
    • She is the first challenger to beat a sitting L.A. mayor in more than two decades, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Elections2 races

2 closest races

  • uAlaska governor99%Wilson 0.90%Begich 0.05%

    POLYMARKET: Alaska governor — general election

    Bernadette Wilson (R) faces Tom Begich (D).

    A dead heat — the two sides are priced within a point of each other, after Wilson lost about ten points in a week.

    Two markets, one question

    Alaska governor

    Nov 5, 8:59 PM CT
    widest venue gap 0.4pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Alaska governor. Bernadette Wilson (R): Polymarket 0.7%, Kalshi 1.1%; Tom Begich (D): Polymarket 0.05%, Kalshi 0.05%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 0.4pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

  • tAlaska SenateMary Peltola 96.85%▲26.6Sullivan 3.13%

    POLYMARKET: Alaska Senate — general election

    Mary Peltola (D) faces Dan Sullivan (R).

    A sitting Republican senator is defending this seat, and Peltola holds a commanding lead, but no race here has moved more this week: it is up about 27 points.

    Two markets, one question

    Alaska Senate

    Nov 5, 8:59 PM CT
    widest venue gap 1.1pp
    • Polymarket, solid
    • Kalshi, dashed
    • shaded = the gap between them

    Alaska Senate. Mary Peltola (D): Polymarket 97.4%, Kalshi 96.3%; Dan Sullivan (R): Polymarket 2.65%, Kalshi 3.60%. Widest disagreement between the two venues: 1.1pp. Full history is in the table below.

    7 days ago

    Market-implied chance of winning, out of 100 — prices, not polls. Source: Polymarket · Kalshi.

“Still in doubt” means no leader above 80% on either book. Prices captured Nov 5, 8:59 PM CT. These are trader-implied estimates, not polls. Separate contracts trade independently, so opposing prices may not add to exactly 100%.

13 stories that didn't make the cutSeen by the desk, ranked, and not run. The number is where each stood in the day's order.

News

  • 26Trump met Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev at the White House, skipped visiting Ukrainian officialsTrump met Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev and hinted at a 'big agreement'; he gave no details, and the Melania-hosted envoy meeting carries today's Russia-Ukraine news.
  • 27Democrats prepare their affordability agenda and confront the limits of divided governmentDemocrats are drafting an affordability agenda for the new Congress; there is no bill text or vote yet, and divided government limits what can pass.
  • 28A Democratic Congress considers how to constrain Trump's foreign policyIncoming Democratic majorities are weighing ways to constrain Trump's Iran and Israel policy; it is still discussion, with no resolution or funding measure filed.
  • 32Vance blames the Iran war for GOP losses as he positions himself for 2028Vance reportedly blamed the Iran war and Netanyahu for GOP losses with an eye on 2028; the remarks were private, per Fox, and the blame fight already runs in the published story.
  • 33The White House warns conservative groups it is monitoring their statementsThe White House reportedly told conservative groups it is watching their statements; this is a single WSJ report, with no named targets or consequences yet.
  • 34Indiana, Florida and Alabama carry out three executions on the same dayIndiana, Florida and Alabama carried out three executions in one day; it is a state-by-state tally with no policy change attached.
  • 36ICE's violent detention of a disabled U.S. citizen walking to school sparks an outcryICE's reported violent detention of a disabled U.S. citizen in Santa Maria, Calif., sparked an outcry; it rests on one account, and ICE's side and any charges are not yet reported.
  • 37GAO questions oversight as ICE detention facility inspections changeGAO flagged oversight gaps as ICE changes how it inspects detention facilities; it is a technical audit with no enforcement change or response deadline.
  • 38An NRDC report catalogs Trump administration actions weakening cancer protectionsAn NRDC report catalogs Trump administration moves weakening cancer protections; it is an advocacy group's tally, not an independent review of each rule.

Election related

  • 29Republicans' mid-decade redistricting campaign fails to deliver House gainsThe GOP's mid-decade redistricting push failed to deliver promised House gains; it is an analysis piece, and seat totals are still moving.
  • 30The Democratic landslide reverses key gains in Trump's 2024 voter coalitionAn analysis shows the Democratic landslide reversed Trump's 2024 coalition gains; it is a video segment on exit-poll shifts, not new reporting.
  • 31Democrats flip hundreds of state legislative seats and expand control of state governmentsDemocrats flipped hundreds of state legislative seats and expanded control of state governments; final tallies and first agendas are still pending.
  • 35The midterm election system holds up as Trump accepts the resultsThe midterm election system held up and Trump accepted the results; it is a reassuring explainer, but the absence of disputes is not itself news today.

More on the Elections page