All Eyes On The Senate

5.6.25

Good Tuesday evening to all welcome back to Common Sense, your source for news and analysis on the circus that is American politics and entertainment.

Some Republicans taking dim view of 2026 Senate map. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) announced he will not run for Senate, potentially paving the way for a candidacy by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene against incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. Politico called Kemp’s thumbs-down to a Senate bid “the latest sign that the GOP’s prospects across the Senate map are far less certain than just a few months ago.” Further worries come as “Trump’s tariffs cause global market chaos ahead of next year’s midterms.” Though the GOP is still favored to keep the Senate based on the seats on the ballot next year, they aren’t very likely to pad their majority “after Kemp and former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu rejected GOP recruitment efforts” and the potential for brutal primaries in Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina against GOP incumbents. “Midterm elections [are] generally tough for the party in power,’ Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) told the outlet. ‘I’m always worried.’”

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is the only Democrat running for re-election in a state won by Donald Trump in 2024. Photo credit: Getty

Supreme Court lets Trump fire thousands of patriotic service members because of their gender identity. NBC News reports, “The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed President Donald Trump to implement his ban on transgender people serving in the military. The justices granted an emergency request from the Trump administration to lift a nationwide injunction blocking the policy while litigation continues. The court's brief order noted that the three liberal justices dissented. ‘No more trans @ DoD," Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on X. In a separate Defense Department post earlier Tuesday, before the decision was issued, Hegseth said in a video: "No more dudes in dresses. We are done with that s---." Just over 4,000 transgender people currently serve in the military, according to Defense Department data, though some activists put the figure much higher.

India missiles target five locations in Pakistan; Pakistan vows response. CBS News reports, “India fired missiles across the border into Pakistani-administered territory in at least five locations early Wednesday local time, killing at least eight people and injuring 35 others, the Pakistani Army said. India said it was striking infrastructure used by militants. The strikes came amid soaring tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors over last month's militant attack on tourists in the Indian-administered portion of Kashmir. India has blamed Pakistan for backing the militant attack, which Islamabad has denied.” Pakistan called it “an act of war” and vowed a response, according to ABC News.

NPR is now asking the public for support overtly in response to Trump’s threats to its funding. Source: npr.org.

Democrats shield libraries and museums from Trump cuts… Another Trump attempt to undermine the Constitution’s separation of powers, another win in court for Democratic states attorneys general. NPR reports, “A federal judge has halted President Trump's attempt to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services – the agency which provides federal funding to libraries and museums across the country. On March 14, Trump issued an executive order calling for the elimination "to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law," of seven government entities, including the IMLS. In response, attorneys general from 21 states sued the president to stop him from dismantling three of those agencies – the IMLS, the Minority Business Development Agency and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. District court Judge John J. McConnell Jr., who was nominated to the court by President Obama in 2011, issued an injunction on the EO Tuesday, stating that it violated the Administrative Procedure Act. ‘It also disregards the fundamental constitutional role of each of the branches of our federal government; specifically, it ignores the unshakable principles that Congress makes the law and appropriates funds, and the Executive implements the law Congress enacted and spends the funds Congress appropriated,’ McConnell wrote.”

Today’s Furry Friend

Meet Cash, a young feline friend discovered inside an ATM by a security guard!

Today’s Buzz

Megan Thee Stallion sneaks phone into Met Gala, breaking the rules in the best way… The Hollywood Reporter writes, “The Grammy-winning rapper was among the many A-listers in attendance for fashion’s biggest night in New York City, stepping out in a custom Michael Kors gown. After ascending the steps of the Metropolitan Museum, she made her way inside the event, which is typically known for its secrecy. While Vogue‘s Anna Wintour has a no-phone policy inside the Met Gala, Megan decided to still give her fans a peek at the night’s cuisine. With the help of fellow rapper Doechii and basketball star Angel Reese, the trio offered their review of the food in a video shared on Megan’s Instagram. ‘Hottie Cam in thee MET GALA,’ she captioned the post.”

Megan Thee Stallion. Photo credit: Revlon

Thank you for allowing us to help make sense of the chaos – with a few cute furry friends to boot. Check back tomorrow evening for the next edition of Common Sense.