Good afternoon. This is the Afternoon Sun newsletter for Sept. 21, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!
THE LATEST
None of the major networks will cover the White House as part of the TV pool following Donald Trump’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico, the TV pool’s chair announced today. Print and radio pools are in place as normal, for now.
The three banned networks announced they’re suing the Trump administration after several journalists were denied entry over the weekend. A hearing is set for Wednesday afternoon.
- “The White House is not instituting an assault on the Free Press, something which I cherish,” Trump posted on Truth Social today. “It is instituting an assault on the FAKE NEWS, something that has grown like Cancer in our beloved United States of America.”
Trending
The Strait of Hormuz remains “unreliable and dangerous,” according to a contracting notice posted by the State Department yesterday, contradicting Trump’s recent claim that the Iranian navy was “gone” and the strait was open for business.
THE HILL
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) will join the University of Southern California after he leaves office in January, the school announced, confirming The Washington Sun’s reporting.
THE ADMINISTRATION
The U.S. has pledged at least $410 million in agreements with 31 countries, mostly in Africa and Latin America, to accept expelled migrants who have no connection to their destination countries, The Washington Post reported.
U.S. strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels may “plausibly constitute crimes against humanity,” according to a new report published by Ben Saul of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Trump is set to speak at the U.N. General Assembly tomorrow.
THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Democrats are fuming after outgoing Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) endorsed Republican Rep. Mike Lawler (R-New York) in a key House race.
Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) threatened a local television station with a lawsuit for airing an ad repeating allegations that Miller abused his wife.
THE COURTS
A federal judge in Alabama temporarily barred immigration officers from entering construction sites without a warrant and detaining workers without reasonable suspicion that they live in the country illegally.
THE STATES
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has lost 80 pounds using a GLP-1, he told CBS News. The Democrat brushed off the question of whether it has anything to do with a potential 2028 presidential run.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear criticized Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) for a lack of transparency during his monthslong absence. On “The View,” Beshear said Kentuckians deserve a senator “that can actually do their job” and called for congressional and Supreme Court term limits.
BRAIN FART
A slip of the tongue in North Carolina>>
— Kit Maher (@KitMaherCNN) September 21, 2026
"I usually don't misspeak, but I just called them the 'fart-left,' not the 'far left.' I promise that was an accident," Vice President JD Vance said.
Thank you for reading! Today’s newsletter was produced by Kate Nocera and Andrew Burton. 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.
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