Good afternoon. This is the Afternoon Sun newsletter for Sept. 28, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!
THE LATEST
Deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey is leaving his role abruptly, saying he wants to spend more time with his family.
- But MS NOW reported that he’s frustrated with the Trump administration over multiple incidents — including the demotion of a pair of veteran counterterrorism agents who handled an investigation into threatening phone calls received by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller’s wife, Katie Miller.
- The Washington Sun’s Jose Pagliery reports Bailey oversaw the raid on the elections department in Fulton County, Georgia, but otherwise had kept a low profile at the bureau.
First on The Sun: The newly commissioned USS Santa Barbara, a 418-foot combat vessel, is already facing serious maintenance issues, according to an undated government contracting document reviewed by The Sun.
- “All four engines are currently operating well beyond their maximum recommended operational thresholds, presenting an immediate, critical threat of mechanical failure,” the document states.
Trending
Florida’s Republican attorney general is asking a judge to bar OpenAI from developing new artificial intelligence models without independent safety approval.
- The company has also opted to pause training for its “most powerful” models, according to Wired.
THE ADMINISTRATION
The Transportation Department sharply reduced fuel efficiency standards for new vehicles. It’s a move that could, according to the government’s own analysis of the rule, lead to drivers paying hundreds more for gas each year and affect the country’s ability to weather shocks to oil prices.
The Department of Homeland Security denied reports that it told immigration agents to stop arresting non-criminals during their enforcement efforts.
The Department of Education formally rescinded the Biden-era interpretation of Title IX that included sexual orientation and gender identity.
THE COURTS
The administration asked the Supreme Court to lift lower-court orders preventing federal prisons from banning gender-affirming treatments like hormone therapy or surgeries.
Jeanine Pirro will retry D.C. Council member Trayon White after a judge declared a mistrial in his bribery case today.
- “We have video showing piles of cash being given to a D.C. councilmember as part of a $156,000 bribe,” Pirro said in a statement. “Rest assured that we will retry this case.”
THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) endorsed more than a dozen candidates today — James Talarico notably not among them.
Rep. Tom Kean (R-New Jersey) backed away from several of Trump’s key agenda items during a debate last night — just as his race for reelection tightens.
- “I call it Lake Ontario,” he said during a lightning round of questions.
Sen. Jon Ossoff nabbed another Republican endorsement today: Georgia Peanut Commission chair Donald Chase.
JUST REPORTER THINGS
huge day for reporters (me) who start questions with “this might be dumb but-” https://t.co/r1HlL5gTFl
— Oriana González (@ReporterOriana) September 28, 2026
Thank you for reading! Today’s newsletter was produced by Kate Nocera and Jonann Brady. 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.
Authors
