June 22, 2026 - UK Prime Minister Starmer Resigns

Don't miss the link in today's newsletter to Ron Brownstein's analysis on the fight for the future of the Democratic Party. As he puts it: "From Maine to California, progressive and centrist forces have collided in an unusual, even unprecedented, number of primaries for local, state and congressional offices that have divided the party along ideological, and often generational, lines."

It reminds me of what CNN's Harry Enten recently called one of the most stunning trends in his data. And the numbers back him up.

Two in three Democrats now view socialism favorably. In 2010, it was roughly half. Favorable views of capitalism among Democrats have collapsed - from 51 percent to 42 percent. Opinion isn't just shifting. It's accelerating.

And it's not staying in the polls. It's showing up on ballots.

The DSA is running candidates in 133 races this cycle and has already won 14. Pennsylvania's Chris Rabb - a self-identified democratic socialist - won his congressional primary and runs unopposed in November. New York holds primaries tomorrow, where DSA candidates are threatening sitting Democratic incumbents. Washington, D.C. may soon have a democratic socialist mayor. New York already does.

Three names drove this: Bernie Sanders, who has been making this argument for 40 years and never stopped; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who proved it was electorally possible; and Zohran Mamdani, 34, who became mayor of America's largest city and is now endorsing DSA candidates for Congress.

The counterargument is serious. Jim Messina, who managed Obama's 2012 campaign, warns that Democrats will win in 2026 because of Trump - but lose in 2028 if they can't find an economic message that speaks to most Americans. Democratic socialists win primaries. General elections are a different test.

The party is not FDR's. It's not Clinton's. Right now it's not entirely clear whose it is.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation after a turbulent two-year tenure marked by political setbacks, declining approval ratings and internal Labour Party challenges, with Parliament member Andy Burnham confirming he will stand to replace him.

BBC

U.S. and Iranian officials held 18 hours of negotiations in Switzerland, reaching a framework for continued talks aimed at a new nuclear agreement, easing regional tensions, and preventing conflict over issues including Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz.

Axios

The 2026 Democratic primaries have intensified the battle over the party’s future, with progressive candidates outpacing centrists in several key contests and propelling forward figures like Zohran Mamdani and Graham Platner, while moderates including Xavier Becerra and Mikie Sherrill have prevailed in major gubernatorial races — setting up a defining test of the party’s direction in New York’s primary.

CNN

Stu Bykofsky challenges Michael Smerconish’s view that negotiating with Iran is the best of limited options, arguing that Trump's Iran peace deal overlooked a better path: sustaining the blockade of Iranian ports to strangle the regime's economy and risk permanent damage to its oil infrastructure, even if Americans lack the patience to endure higher gas prices in the meantime.

Stu Bykofsky

Points of Light is launching a $100 million National Volunteer Strategy aimed at doubling the number of U.S. volunteers by 2035 by strengthening connections between eager volunteers and nonprofits struggling to fill critical needs in an effort to boost civic engagement and service across the country.

Associated Press

The latest baby name data reveals a paradox among affluent progressive parents, who often embrace ideas of individuality and rejecting tradition while choosing classic names like Lucy, Eleanor, Caroline, Charles, John, George, Charlotte, Emma, Henry and Theodore that reflect familiarity, status and perceived advantages for their children.

The Washington Post

Henry Louis Gates Jr. reveals how PBS's genealogy series 'Finding Your Roots' handles shocking ancestry discoveries — from hidden family connections to revelations about parentage, slavery and long-buried secrets — while protecting guests’ privacy and exploring the complex stories that shape their identities.

The Hollywood Reporter

Tim Rice argues that Gen Z's growing fascination with Richard Nixon reflects a broader willingness to question long-held historical narratives, media institutions, and the former president's legacy beyond Watergate.

The Daily Wire

Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn denies vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after his viral arrest, insisting he was only inspecting its peeling surface as authorities pursue misdemeanor charges.

Fox News

A new survey finds that nearly three in 10 Americans now carry a concealed firearm at least occasionally, reflecting the continued rise in gun ownership and concealed carry across a more diverse population.

Reason