The Playbook Podcast

President Trump is slated to make a primetime address this evening at 9 pm E.T. He's dropped breadcrumbs all week that he’ll focus on election integrity and the SAVE America Act. But will he actually stick to the script? Meanwhile Republicans grapple with the fallout after two ICE-involved shootings in less than a week. Plus, it’s day two of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing, where we can expect outside testimony from Epstein survivors.

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Senate Republicans face a series of high-stakes decisions that rival last year's One Big Beautiful Bill. At the top of today’s agenda — acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee. We’ll give you a preview of his testimony. Meanwhile President Trump dropped hints about tomorrow's national address, where he’s expected to return to a familiar message on the SAVE America Act. Plus, the latest on the war with no end in sight as Trump ramps up aggression towards Iran.

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The Michigan primary isn’t for another few weeks, but the Democratic establishment is already putting their thumb on the scale, throwing support behind Rep. Haley Stevens. Her rival, Abdul El-Sayed, is showing strength of his own, reporting more than $4.5 million raised in the second quarter. What does the race say about the Democratic Party's establishment-versus-insurgent divide? Meanwhile, President Trump notified lawmakers that the U.S. is at war with Iran, again. What would the late Sen. Lindsey Graham make of Trump’s increasingly hawkish posture?

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Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina died over the weekend at the age of 71. He served more than three decades on the Hill, was the president’s Senate whisperer, and played a key role on the world stage. So, what happens next with his vacant seat in South Carolina – and how are insiders in Washington responding to this moment? Plus, everything else you need to jump-start your day – from renewed strikes on Iran to Congress’ first day back in session.

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At the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Secretary General Mark Rutte joins Dasha to discuss NATO's historic defense spending overhaul, Russia's war in Ukraine, Greenland, President Trump's demands of the alliance, and whether NATO can withstand growing questions about America's future role in European security.

Plus, POLITICO’s diplomatic correspondent Felicia Schwartz and defense reporter Jack Detsch give their takeaways from the summit.

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