Supreme Court Keeps USPS Ballot Rule Off the Midterms The Supreme Court refused to revive the Postal Service's mail-ballot rule for November. Trump turned on his own appointees. One concurrence left room for the rule later. The Gap: Trump cast the order as betrayal by his own appointees, and a Fox News headline said the dissent shredded a "Hail Mary" challenge, Alito's term. The order was unsigned, only Alito and Thomas noted dissent, and Kavanaugh objected to timing, not the rule. Democracy Docket called it a major win. It is an emergency ruling for 2026 only, and Kavanaugh signaled the rule could return. What the left said: Democracy Docket called the order "a major win for voters." The New Republic said it should have been unanimous and rejected the fraud rationale. “There is no evidence whatsoever to support this conspiracy theory.” (Matt Ford, The New Republic, September 15) “Finally, his scheme is dead. Trump: you lost another one.” (Sen. Chuck Schumer, Fox News, September 14) “This last-minute change could have thrown our elections into chaos” (New York Attorney General Letitia James, Fox News, September 14) What the right said: Fox News headlined that Alito and Thomas "shred" the challenge, and that Kavanaugh threw Trump "a lifeline." “Republicans just got another bad decision from the United States Supreme Court” (President Trump, Fox News, September 15) “these are not the people I interviewed to serve on the United States Supreme Court” (President Trump, Townhall, September 15) “It is a big loss for Republicans, and America itself” (President Trump, Fox News, September 15) The Record: On September 14 the Supreme Court denied the Trump administration's request to lift Judge Indira Talwani's September 4 injunction against the Postal Service's ballot-mail rule. The unsigned order said the government is "unlikely to succeed on the merits." Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented. Justice Brett Kavanaugh concurred. Kavanaugh wrote that the rule may fall within the Postal Service's authority and faulted only the timing for 2026. The rule, from a March executive order, set ballot envelope and barcode standards. It stays blocked for November. House Votes Again to End Iran War, Then Leaves Before Hegseth Vote Seven Republicans joined Democrats on a third vote to end the Iran war. A day later, the House left town before a forced vote on impeaching Pete Hegseth. The Gap: Fox News framed the vote as Republicans rebelling against Trump, and Johnson called impeachment a stunt. Seven defections were the most yet, and Massie, a Republican, accused his own leaders of dodging. The left says Johnson fled a vote. He had already canceled two weeks, and no tally exists to show impeachment would have passed. What the left said: The Daily Beast headlined Johnson's "Crazed Way to Avoid" the vote. Talking Points Memo said he was "accused of running away." “Today, the COWARDS in charge cancelled the impeachment vote and sent us home until November.” (Rep. Pat Ryan, Talking Points Memo, September 17) “The last thing Congress needs is a vacation.” (Rep. Ro Khanna, Talking Points Memo, September 17) What the right said: Fox News headlined that seven Republicans "rebel against Trump." The Daily Caller said they "Go Against Trump." “It's a publicity stunt by someone who wants attention.” (Speaker Mike Johnson, HuffPost, September 16) “We need to stand with the president right now and with the Iranian people.” (Rep. Marlin Stutzman, Fox News, September 16) The Record: On September 15 the House voted 220-204 for a resolution directing President Trump to end the Iran war. Seven Republicans joined Democrats, three more than on two earlier votes. None of the three has reached the president's desk. The same day Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) filed impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. On September 16 Speaker Mike Johnson canceled Thursday's votes. The House is not due back until after the November 3 election. No impeachment vote was held. Judge Bars Trump Name Again; Kennedy Center Board Votes to Close A judge again barred Trump's name from the Kennedy Center. Hours later his board voted to close it. Trump said renovation waits on the name. The Gap: Fox News headlined the board's safety and financial reasons. Trump's own post ties renovation to a court win on his name, and a standing order requires the center to stay open. MS NOW's Steve Benen called it pettiness. The post shows the link to the name, not a motive. Part of a ceiling did collapse. What the left said: HuffPost headlined that the judge accused Trump of "Games." “It's a position rooted in breathtaking pettiness: Either cater to this man's ego, or the closed Kennedy Center will face an uncertain future.” (Steve Benen, MS NOW, September 16) “holding the Kennedy Center hostage unless he can put his name on this sacred memorial.” (Rep. Joyce Beatty, MS NOW, September 16) What the right said: Fox News led with the board's safety and financial reasons and the recent ceiling collapse. “reflects sound judgment and a clear prioritization of safety above all else.” (Roma Daravi, Kennedy Center, Fox News, September 15) “He was, therefore, 60 seconds away from certain death.” (President Trump, on a Kennedy Center security guard, Fox News, September 15) “The building is not currently built to last” (Brian Ballard, Kennedy Center trustee, Fox News, September 15) The Record: On September 15 Judge Christopher Cooper blocked the Kennedy Center board from putting Trump's name on the building or renaming its grounds, ruling that memorials require Congress's approval. Hours later the board voted to close the main building, citing safety and finances. Part of a ceiling collapsed less than two weeks earlier. Trump wrote that renovation cannot begin until the D.C. Circuit rules on the name. An earlier Cooper order requires the center to stay open while the suit continues.