Politics Chat, July 14, 2026

Topics covered in today’s Politics Chat: U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz control, Iranian port blockade, cargo transit fees, War Powers Act notification, ICE appropriation, immigration enforcement shootings, traffic stop suspension, detention facility conditions and court access, Maine Senate race, Senate Judiciary Committee vacancy, Senate Republican leadership absences, attorney general confirmation, International Criminal Court withdrawal push, Caribbean and eastern Pacific boat strikes, SAVE Act, state voter roll collection, 2020 election claims, director of national intelligence nomination, Trump IRS settlement ruling, Epstein files litigation, preemptive pardons, federal contracting irregularities, Trump family financial dealings, Motor Voter Act history, Margaret Chase Smith and Senate succession precedent. Politics Chat is recorded live on YouTube and Facebook every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 pm Maine time (3 PM PT / 6 PM ET). Watch today's recording here: https://youtube.com/live/Nvc0cvDTGb4?feature=share Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe You can also find me: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson  Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe (https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)