The Political Markup for April 19, 2026
Politics
Trump’s DOJ has requested the 2024 election ballots from Detroit, suggesting that there was fraud there. Michigan officials are refusing to comply.
Republican candidates in Minnesota are eyeing Trump’s endorsement.
RFK Jr. is expected to hit the campaign trail and try to help Republican candidates in November. He’s the most popular Trump official, but many of the administration’s health care policies are controversial.
Syracuse University displayed a portrait of Joe Biden it had commissioned to recognize his public service and attendance at the law school.
Economics
The U.S. energy secretary said high gas prices will continue into 2027.
The U.S. government will soon begin refunding businesses for the tariffs Trump subjected them to, which the Supreme Court found to be illegal.
The U.S. is advocating within the G20 for a coordinated effort to maintain fertilizer supplies.
The hospitality industry is struggling with higher input costs and lower sales.
Businesses are successfully advocating against anti-immigrant bills at the state level.
IBM settled with the U.S. government for $17 million over its DEI policies.
Iran War
Trump is again threatening to attack Iran’s power plants, bridges, and other infrastructure if negotiations this week don’t progress.
Young Republicans are split over Trump and Israel’s war with Iran.
International
North Korea is testing missiles again, raising concerns on its capabilities while much of the world is already facing conflict.
Russia wants to meet with the U.S. about economic relations.