Politics: 5 stories from this week
Personalized for you.
On Politics
August 22, 2026

Here are some stories you might have missed this week, curated by Times editors and personalized for you.

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Tierney L. Cross for The New York Times

Trump Threatens Suit Over Report He Doesn’t Like, Aiming to Intimidate a Critic

It was the latest example of President Trump’s bid to use the legal system against those who voice unflattering facts and opinions generally protected by the First Amendment.

By Alan Feuer

Natalie Harp, wearing a white top with gold buttons, smiles while looking at a seated President Trump, who is blurred in the foreground.

Doug Mills/The New York Times

‘With All My Heart, Natalie.’ Trump’s Most Devoted Aide Emerges.

President Trump’s White House aide Natalie Harp is always by his side. What, exactly, does she do?

By Shawn McCreesh and Maggie Haberman

A classical brick building with columns and many windows. Bare trees frame the scene, with people on the steps and patches of snow on the ground.

Lucy Lu for The New York Times

Trump Administration Has a Different Way to Drain Harvard Funding

The federal government has slowed Harvard’s funding, despite the university’s legal victories. The conflict is forcing hard choices on campus.

By Mark Arsenault and Irena Hwang

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Collin County

Ken Paxton and the Curious Case of the Missing $1,000 Pen

The pen Mr. Paxton pocketed more than a decade ago has resurfaced as a campaign issue.

By Lauren McGaughy

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Philip Cheung for The New York Times

Postal Service Publishes Finalized Plan to Restrict Mail Ballots

The plan complies with President Trump’s executive order to restrict mail voting, which was blocked by federal courts and is under review at the Supreme Court.

By Adam Sella

MORE ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

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Latest Polls: Do Americans Approve of President Trump? →

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The New York Times

Tracking the Lawsuits Against Trump’s Agenda →

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