First Thing: Cheney turns on pro-Trump Republicans after defeat – The Guardian US
Good morning.
The outgoing Republican member of Congress Liz Cheney, who lost her Wyoming seat last week after being beaten in a primary by a Donald Trump-backed opponent, has announced plans to set up a new political organization.
In an interview with ABC News aired on Sunday, she named Kevin McCarthy, Ron DeSantis, Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley all of whom openly supported Trumps lie that electoral fraudsters stole the 2020 presidential race from him and handed it to the eventual victor Joe Biden.
Im going to be very focused on working to ensure that we can do everything we can [to] not elect election deniers, the daughter of former vice-president Dick Cheney said. Im going to work against those people, Im going to work to support their opponents.
Going down punching. Cheney said that two Republican US senators Ted Cruz from Texas and Josh Hawley from Missouri had both made themselves unfit for future office since they both took steps that fundamentally threatened the constitutional order.
Others pay price for standing up to Trump. Last month, Arizona lawmaker Rusty Bowers, state house speaker for the last four of 18 years following his election, lost his bid to stay in the Arizona legislature in a primary contest in which his opponent was endorsed by the former president.
A dispute over remote work is deepening at Apple after employees hit back at the tech companys return-to-office orders, and launched a petition saying the firm risked stifling diversity and staff wellbeing by restricting their ability to work remotely.
The petition is in response to an all-employee memo from the Apple chief executive, Tim Cook, who last week said workers would have to come into the office for at least three days a week from September, including Tuesdays, Thursdays and a third day to be determined by individual teams.
The plan is looser than previous proposals that would have forced staff to return every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with Cook saying it would enhance the companys ability to work flexibly, while preserving the in-person collaboration that is so essential to our culture.
Would remote work improve greater flexibility and thus promote diversity? That is the contention of the group of workers, Apple Together, who have circulated the petition pushing back against Cooks orders: We believe that Apple should encourage, not prohibit, flexible work to build a more diverse and successful company where we can feel comfortable to think different together.
Efforts to distribute posters to Texas schools bearing a slogan which many argue has long been used as a tool to forward Christian nationalism have been described as a basic violation of the separation of church and state.
A state law recently took effect requiring public campuses to display any donated items bearing the phrase In God We Trust. The Southlake Anti-Racism Coalition (SARC) said they were disturbed by the precedent the posters distribution could set and warned of the effect on students, particularly those who do not practise the dominant Christian faith.
We know that state governments in places like Texas are codifying white Christian nationalist patriarchy into law at an alarming rate, said Sophie Ellman-Golan, of Jews For Racial & Economic Justice. The most dangerous examples of this are bans on abortion and gender-affirming care, as well as efforts to censor education.
Who supports the move? The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a Muslim civil rights organization, welcomed the initiative and said this might allow for an opportunity for students to learn about other faiths. The notion of trusting God is common across faiths, a CAIR spokesperson said.
Hundreds of Finnish women have posted social media films of themselves dancing in support of the prime minister, Sanna Marin, after she became embroiled in a scandal when footage emerged of her partying with friends. She has for my own legal protection and to clear up any doubts taken a drug test.
After a recent scaling down of large military drills, the US and South Korea are undertaking their largest in recent years in a show of force expected to raise tensions with an increasingly hostile North Korea. It comes despite warnings to abandon the hostile military stance even as the north increases the frequency of missiles tests.
Former prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has been charged under the anti-terror act following accusations of threats to police and a magistrate, after a fiery speech to supporters at the weekend. He was ousted in a vote of no confidence in April but has alleged a deeper conspiracy to remove him from power.
Israels NSO Group, which makes the globally controversial Pegasus spyware used to infiltrate mobile phones, has said its CEO Shalev Hulio would step down as part of a reorganisation. The privately owned company also said it would focus sales on countries belonging to the Nato alliance.
For the first time in 75 years, hatchlings of the worlds smallest sea turtle species have been discovered on the Chandeleur Islands, a chain of barrier islands in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of New Orleans.
Wildlife experts at the Breton national wildlife refuge last week reportedly documented more than 53 turtle crawls and two live hatchlings that were navigating towards the sea. The news was particularly uplifting for environmentalists, writes Maya Yang, because the hatchlings were Kemps ridley sea turtles, an endangered species.
The BP oil spill resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion significantly affected the Chandeleur Islands, along with various hurricanes and other tropical weather systems in recent years.
The host of CNNs media affairs show Reliable Sources, cancelled last week after 30 years on air, used his final episode to make a pointed rebuke of the networks new bosses and their intention to pursue a more neutral voice to its coverage.
CNN head Chris Licht, who took over after the February departure of Jeff Zucker, has indicated that he wants to tone down the opinion quotient of its shows and return to an older, straighter and in his view less overtly leftwing style of reporting. It comes amid criticism the network is broadcasting too much commentary and not enough on-the-ground reporting.
But Stelter said: It is not partisan to stand up for decency and democracy and dialogue It is not partisan to stand up to demagogues its required, its patriotic.
Today, just three crops rice, wheat and corn provide nearly half of the worlds calories. That reliance on a small number of crops has made agriculture vulnerable to pests, plant-borne diseases and soil erosion, which thrive on monoculture the practice of growing only one crop at a time, writes Cecilia Nowell.
It has also meant losing out on the resilience other crops show in surviving drought and other natural disasters. So heres a look at five crops: amaranth, fonio, cowpeas, taro and kernza, that farmers across the world are now growing in hopes of feeding the planet as it heats.
As the rapid rise of the personalised vitamin industry has come under increasing scrutiny, journalist David Cox signs up for customised personal nourishments to see whether they hold the secret to deeper sleep, weight loss and a sunny state of mind. It all looks bullshit, Margaret Rayman, professor of nutritional medicine at the University of Surrey, tells him. I dont think theres much information about any of these things changing your sleep.
But a vitamin company boss vigorously defends their recommendations, saying that the research reports they use to vindicate the products they recommend are put through an extremely rigorous auditing process: We use a lot of patented ingredients because of the level of clinical data behind them.
Sign up for the US morning briefing
First Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If youre not already signed up, subscribe now.
If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email newsletters@theguardian.com
Read more:
First Thing: Cheney turns on pro-Trump Republicans after defeat - The Guardian US
- Poll: Costs Are the Top Health Care Issue for Voters in the Midterms, But Fraud Tops Republicans' List As Trump Administration Pushes Crackdown - KFF - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- House Republicans unveil a $95 billion plan for the Iran war, farm aid and elections - AP News - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Where Republicans Cuts to Medicaid Could Cost Them - News of the United States - NOTUS - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Meet the Republicans running to be Michigans next governor - 9and10News.com - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Graham Is Gone and McConnell Is Out Where Does That Leave Republicans? | National News | U.S. News - U.S. News & World Report - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Republicans Want to Sanction Canada for Not Stopping Wildfire Smoke From Entering the US - Truthout - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Trumps Stuck in 2020 With Other Republicans Thinking About 2026 - Bloomberg Government News - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- He sued the oil industry for $51B. Now he faces Republicans in a private grilling. - Politico - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Republicans are forging ahead with a plan for Trump's SAVE Act. Is it doomed? - USA Today - July 18th, 2026 [July 18th, 2026]
- Republicans scramble to find a replacement for Sen. Lindsey Graham ahead of the midterm elections - NBC News - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- House Republicans to huddle with CBO chief amid reconciliation talks - Live Updates - Politico - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Republicans return to Capitol Hill with agenda complicated by Graham death - The Guardian - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- The 6 Republicans most likely to win the 2028 presidential nomination - The Hill - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- House Republicans tee up vote on nuclear bills - E&E News by POLITICO - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Kentucky politicians, mostly Republicans, confirm they will speak at Fancy Farm Picnic - Kentucky Lantern - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Democratic Senate candidate says her mission remains the same as Republicans move toward a special primary - Live 5 News - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- House Republicans left DC in a jam. Its not clear when theyll get out of it. - Politico - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Republicans feel increasingly upbeat about their chances in the midterms - NBC News - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- CBO Director to Meet With Republicans on Third Party-Line Bill - Bloomberg Government News - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Departing House Republicans Are Skipping Votes at Brisk Pace - Bloomberg Government News - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Tickets for the Republicans midterm convention cost as much as $20,000 - MS NOW - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Lindsey Grahams sister appointed to serve rest of Republicans Senate term - The Guardian - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- PREMIUM Republicans have beef with Texas Rep. James Talarico. Why does meat matter in US politics? - Brooklyn Eagle - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Texas Republicans are going after THC. Yes, again - Dallas Observer - July 13th, 2026 [July 13th, 2026]
- Bolstered bloc of Vermont Republicans see bills repealed this year as a win - VTDigger - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Republicans fear Trump will use the SAVE Act to blame them if they lose the election - NBC News - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- More NC Republicans are unexpectedly standing up to Trump | Opinion - Charlotte Observer - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Ohio Dems outraise Republicans in downballot statewide offices but still far behind in cash on hand - Ohio Capital Journal - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- House Republicans Unveil 11-Bill Energy Package to Keep the Lights On, Costs Down - PA House Republican Caucus - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- The SAVE Act wont save Republicans - The Washington Post - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Opinion | Republicans should tell the truth - The Durango Herald - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- DSCC Chair Kirsten Gillibrand Statement On Anniversary of Republicans Slashing Medicaid & Spiking Costs to Fund Tax Giveaway for Billionaires -... - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Carlsons split with Republicans to deepen US right rifts: Chinese think tank - South China Morning Post - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Republicans have edge in holding Senate, but its awfully close - Washington Examiner - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Polling the Divide: Republicans, Democrats, and the Future of Democracy - Ideastream - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Commentary: It's not just vaccines from infancy to adolescence, Republicans are waging war on children's health - Los Angeles Times - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Even Republicans Dont Want Trumps Version of the SAVE America Act - New York Magazine - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Trump Vows Republicans Will Not Lose an Election for A Hundred Years - Yahoo - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Trump Promises Republicans They Will Not Lose An Election for 100 Years If They Do What He Says - HuffPost - July 6th, 2026 [July 6th, 2026]
- Republicans see no foul in backing US World Cup team led by birthright citizen while opposing the constitutional right - Courthouse News - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Democrats and Republicans make their choices for November - Times of Wayne County - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Why it Matters: Governor vetoes mail-in ballot ID bill, but Republicans say the push isnt over - WTVG - June 28th, 2026 [June 28th, 2026]
- Republicans fear Trump is hurting their chances. He cant understand why. - Politico - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Trump delays his own national intelligence nominee, fueling tension with fellow Republicans - AP News - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Democratic ballots outpace Republicans as Colorados primary vote starts to trickle in - Colorado Springs Gazette - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Three Republicans seek U.S. Senate nomination to face Warner; all cite ties to Trump - Cardinal News - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Why Republicans think they can save their House majority at the US-Mexico border - CNN - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans grow increasingly frustrated with Trump blindsiding them - NBC News - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Trumps break with Senate Republicans once again disrupts their agenda - The Washington Post - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- John Paul Hammerschmidt was a forefather of Arkansas Republicans and advocate of Northwest development - The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Republicans are betting their mid-decade redistricting gamble will pay off - Politico - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans in no hurry to deliver Trumps next reconciliation bill - Politico - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Trump Is Fed Up With Senate Republicans. The Feeling Is Mutual. - News of the United States - NOTUS - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Republicans actually do have a healthcare plan, and its a good one - The Washington Post - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Republicans are desperate to move on from the Iran war - The Economist - June 19th, 2026 [June 19th, 2026]
- Georgia Republicans Shelve Redistricting as Anger Grows - The New York Times - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- The more Senate Republicans learn about Trumps Iran deal, the more they dont like it - MS NOW - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans in Washington on edge over Iran deal as Trump touts its merits - NBC News - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Fox News Poll: Most rate the economy negatively, including half of Republicans - Fox News - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Americans are divided on culture war issues, a new CNN poll finds. Republicans are trying to leverage that in the midterms - CNN - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Guthrie, House Republicans Take Action to Prevent Fraud and Hold Bad Actors Accountable - Congressman Brett Guthrie (.gov) - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Why Trumps Iran agreement could be a tough sell for Republicans: From the Politics Desk - NBC News - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Young Republicans are becoming more conservative - Good Authority - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Opinion | Republicans thought the Senate map was their friend. It isnt anymore. - The Washington Post - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans Again Block War Powers Measure in the Senate - The New York Times - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans hopeful Iran deal could stop the pain at the pump but it may be too late - Politico - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Corruption scandals from Denver to Washington dragged down Republicans as the 1876 election began - The Durango Herald - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans Block Pentagon Investment Ban Aimed at Trump Family - News of the United States - NOTUS - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Trumps Surprise DNI Announcement Leaves Senate Republicans Reeling - News of the United States - NOTUS - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Trumps OBBBA will cap federal loans on July 1. Republicans are working to save loans for nurses - Fortune - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- RFK Jr. keeps showing up in districts Republicans need to win - Politico - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Trump delays his own national intelligence nominee, fueling tension with fellow Republicans - TelegraphHerald.com - June 17th, 2026 [June 17th, 2026]
- Republicans Would Rather Get Rid of This Agency Than Upset Trump. Thats a Terrible Idea. - Slate Magazine - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Trump handcuffs congressional Republicans to the SAVE Act | Opinion - USA Today - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- House approves Harris plan to ban local taxes on streaming services - Michigan House Republicans - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Senate Republicans Wont Back Iran Deal Without Details - News of the United States - NOTUS - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Republicans seek to void proposed ESA reforms at the ballot - Axios - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Top Senate Republicans say theyre in the dark about the U.S. deal with Iran - Jewish Insider - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Republicans think they live on the moral high ground - thegazette.com - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]
- Who stays home may threaten Republicans this year as much as who votes - CNN - June 16th, 2026 [June 16th, 2026]