Air Force One

Connecticut's congressional Democrats are previewing the influence they could wield if the party retakes the House and, less likely, the Senate in the midterms. Rep. Rosa DeLauro could return as Appropriations chair, overseeing spending fights with the Trump administration's Office of Management and Budget over rescissions and impoundment. Rep. Jim Himes, in line for House Intelligence chair, plans oversight of contractors, universities, and firms accommodating Trump's demands. Rep. Joe Courtney, on Seapower, would scrutinize submarine programs, the AUKUS agreement, and Air Force One's provenance. Rep. Jahana Hayes is pursuing the top Democratic slot on Education and the Workforce against incumbent Bobby Scott and Suzanne Bonamici, though she says her focus remains on her competitive reelection race first.

Retaking the Senate is seen as harder, requiring a four-seat net gain; Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy could reclaim subcommittee leadership roles. Democrats acknowledge lingering voter distrust after 2024 and say they must quickly address affordability alongside oversight of Trump if given the majority. Connecticut's delegation also faces its own reelection battles, with John Larson already having lost his primary.

President Trump attended the marquee Texas-Tennessee college football matchup in Knoxville, a sold-out, 100,000-strong showdown at Neyland Stadium billed as the teams' first meeting since 1969 and featuring ESPN's "College GameDay." His visit brought heightened security and road closures, and when he appeared on the video board about 20 minutes into the game, the crowd largely cheered, though some fans booed and one tailgate sidewalk was chalked with "Dump Trump."

The appearance came as Trump has faced hostile crowds at other major sporting events this year, including NBA Finals and World Cup matches, amid slumping approval ratings and GOP warnings of steep midterm losses. Several Trump voters in Knoxville voiced discomfort with his handling of the Iran war and his combative style, even as they praised other policies, while a transgender fan wore a suffragette-themed outfit as a protest statement. Many attendees, however, said the day was primarily about football rather than politics, with Sens. Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn joining Trump for the game.

Senate Judiciary Committee tensions flared as Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., accused FBI Director Kash Patel of using the bureau to target journalists covering the Trump administration, at one point comparing him to a "thug." Booker pressed Patel on an FBI investigation into New York Times reporters who covered security concerns surrounding the Qatar-donated Air Force One, and questioned whether agents accessed federal databases to gather information on Times journalist Elizabeth Williamson after she reported that Patel had given his girlfriend government-funded security and transportation.

Patel denied targeting reporters, countering that the Obama administration had subpoenaed reporters and conducted extensive interviews in leak investigations. He said his agency instead focuses on people leaking classified information that could endanger officials and citizens. Patel dismissed Booker's "thug" remark as ironic, noting Booker's presidential ambitions.

The exchange underscores ongoing scrutiny of FBI conduct toward the press and government accountability under the current administration, issues with implications for oversight-related prediction markets.

President Trump's Wednesday departure to Dallas for the RNC's Midterm Convention was delayed after an inflatable emergency slide deployed on the tarmac aboard the new, Qatar-gifted Air Force One before he boarded. Reporters spotted the slide inflated and touching the ground while Trump waited to transfer from Marine One at Joint Base Andrews. The older Air Force One arrived shortly after as a backup.

Trump told reporters workers were inspecting the slide and downplayed any security concern, saying crews wanted to ensure "everything works perfectly." The slide was later deflated and removed, and the aircraft departed without further incident.

The new jet has had an on-and-off service history since its unveiling this summer. Trump previously used the older plane to leave Turkey in July following a credible missile threat, later flying the new jet home from the UK. The White House said the newer plane would see limited use while undergoing additional security enhancements. Trump is scheduled to use the new jet for an upcoming trip to Ireland.