Afternoon Sun: Pool Your Jets

Good afternoon. This is the Afternoon Sun newsletter for Oct. 5, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

The White House is refusing to allow Politico to travel with President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One today, a spokesperson for the outlet said.

• The political news site was slated to be the print pool representative. The White House has argued it still has the power to control access to pool events despite a court order to reinstate Politico, CNN and MS NOW’s press passes.

• Another hearing is scheduled for Thursday in the publications’ lawsuit, and today’s development is likely to be incorporated into the case. The Washington Sun has signed onto an amicus brief filed in the case in support of the news outlets.

Karoline Leavitt has a new gig as an on-air contributor at Fox News.

The Supreme Court is back in session and heard oral arguments today in Suncor vs. Boulder, which concerns whether states can sue fossil fuel companies over the costs of climate change.

THE ADMINISTRATION

Here we go again! The Department of Justice today released an extensive report relitigating a Biden-era flashpoint: Attorney General Merrick Garland’s 2021 decision to launch an investigation into widespread protests at school board meetings, often against mask mandates, pro-LGBTQ policies and diversity initiatives.

Here we go again x2: White House spokesperson Steven Cheung called Jack Smith a “scumbag” after photos of the former special prosecutor wearing a Bruce Springsteen band T-shirt went viral over the weekend.

• The T-shirt in question featured the phrase “No Kings” — a popular anti-Trump rallying cry.

A U.S. Marine stationed in Japan was accused over the weekend of killing a Japanese woman, a grisly incident that threatens to upend the two countries’ relationship.

JD Vance brought a special guest with him to campaign in Alaska tonight: His 9-week-old baby, Alec.

• “If I give a speech tonight, and I look haggard and stressed out, that’s exactly why,” he joked.

THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Ken Paxton was caught on another leaked recording blaming others for his campaign’s struggles — this time taking aim at D.C. operatives for his campaign messaging, which the Texas Senate hopeful said he has little control over.

Zohran Mamdani and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are reportedly expected to appear at a fundraiser in New York City tonight for Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, according to The New York Times.

• That’s not the only star power El-Sayed is deploying in the race’s final days: He announced this morning that former President Barack Obama will join him for a rally on Oct. 24.

THE STATES

Disgraced former House Speaker Dennis Hastert died over the weekend, a coroner announced this morning. He was 84.

LEAVING D.C. LIKE

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