Afternoon Sun: Ad it Again?

Good afternoon. This is the Afternoon Sun newsletter for Oct. 14, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

A federal judge ruled that Donald Trump’s campaign-style ads cannot run through at least the midterms and that the government should explain by tomorrow why the ads continued to run into Monday in an apparent violation of the order.

The White House today appealed a federal judge’s extended block that prevents the administration from banning Politico, MS NOW and CNN from the grounds.

THE ADMINISTRATION

The DOJ gave California election officials a thumb drive and 48 hours yesterday to cross-reference a list of names against its state voter rolls.

Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon would aggressively push for at least $350 billion in additional military spending when Congress returns after the midterms, warning the money is critical to Trump’s plans to overhaul the armed forces.

A watchdog group filed a complaint with the State Bar of California asking authorities to investigate whether White House press secretary Katie Zacharia practiced law without a license.

A government official helping spearhead Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again initiative has “disqualifying” family financial interests that clash with her work, the Department of Health and Human Services ruled in conflict-of-interest waiver documents obtained by The Washington Sun.

Inflation accelerated last month as gas, clothing and air fares got more expensive: The consumer price index rose 3.7% in September compared with a year ago.

• The Social Security Administration projected the annual cost-of-living adjustment for older adults and people with disabilities will rise 3.6% beginning in 2027.

THE HILL

Republican Rep. Andy Harris demanded police remove a journalist from a press availability he held last night in Maryland, erroneously citing the state’s wiretap law.

THE COURTS

Trump has backed out of a scheduled deposition for his defamation case against the BBC, which is trying to compel the commander-in-chief to sit for a court-ordered interview.

A Texas prosecutor says an ICE agent appeared to use a vehicle to intentionally strike a man who took off running in Houston and that an investigation could result in criminal charges.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace’s former fiancé and two of his business associates were charged with sex crimes and voyeurism today over an episode the South Carolina congresswoman described in detail during a speech last year on the House floor arguing that crimes against women are not investigated thoroughly.

REMEMBER?

Thank you for reading! Today’s newsletter was produced by Kelly Poe and Erik Schutz. If you liked it, please forward it to a friend. If someone shared it with you, please sign up — it’s free! Got a tip or comments to share? Email us at newsletters@washsun.com.