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President Trump had yet another predictable meltdown after his handpicked Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh refused to lower interest rates—instead raising them for the first time in three years.

“Interest Rates in the United States should be 1%, or less, because we are the Best Credit in the World — BY FAR. Our Country is BOOMING with new Investment! If we stopped Trading with every country that we have a Deficit with, which is most of them, we would make, at least, 1.5 Trillion Dollars a year,” Trump wrote Wednesday afternoon on Truth Social. “The word ‘Deficit’ is nothing more than a fancy word for LOSS. We are ‘carrying’ almost every country in the World, and that cannot go on any longer. LOWER THE INTEREST RATES FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND FAST!”

Lower interest rates are something Trump has demanded since he returned to office.

The Federal Reserve unanimously voted to increase interest rates by .25 percent, bringing its flagship rate to between 3.75 and 4 percent.

Trump’s demand for lower interest rates clearly fell on deaf ears, as Warsh told reporters after his rate hike announcement that he had “nothing” on “the discussion with the president.”

While used to lower inflation, raising interest rates also makes it more expensive to borrow money—something millions of consumers will be affected by, and right before midterm elections in November.

Q: What is your message to Trump who has called to cut interest rates and not raise them?

Fed Chair Kevin Warsh: I've got nothing for you on a discussion with Trump pic.twitter.com/zYksF3FQMg

— Headquarters (@HQNewsNow) September 16, 2026

Honestly, Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie and current head of Turning Point USA, has a lot of gall, but we already knew that. She has just announced she’s considering legal action against Utah Valley University for “security gaps” over failing to protect Charlie Kirk. Here are her lawyers: “Through a series of stunning failures and reckless decisions, the UVU Parties created a foreseeable danger…

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Anthropic and OpenAI want to embed independent safety evaluators inside their AI labs. Researchers welcome the unprecedented access, but warn meaningful oversight requires transparency, independence, and eventually regulation.

Quick Take

• The Last of Us Part II modder Speclizer has had a multiplayer mod for the game in development since January 2026, and was expected to release sometime in September 2026.
• Sony reached out to mod developer Speclizer, requesting that he not release the mod.
• Nerdist’s Take: Sony is legally within their rights to issue a cease-and-desist to Speclizer, but given Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us Online was cancelled mid-development, the situation leaves a bad taste in the mouths of fans.

In January of 2026, modder Speclizer announced he was working on a mod for The Last of Us Part II that would allow for a multiplayer mode. The mod has gathered a lot of hype over the past nine months, with recent developer updates showing a working load-out system, a handsome collection of weapons and skills, five maps, and even a basic leaderboard. It’s no surprise the fan base is eager for a multiplayer mod, given that Naughty Dog’s own attempt at a multiplayer outing for the series, The Last of Us Online, was canceled back in 2023.

Sony, Naughty Dog

Unfortunately, The Last of Us won’t be getting an official online multiplayer game, and it won’t be getting an unofficial player-made multiplayer mode either. Sony sent a letter to Speclizer requesting that he not release the mod. Speclizer elaborates in the following statement:

“Hey everyone, as you all know, the TLOU 2 multiplayer mod that has been in development since January was supposed to release this month. Unfortunately, I recently received a letter on behalf of Sony Interactive Entertainment requesting for the mod to not be released. Extremely sad that this never got to see the light of day, but I hope you’ll continue to follow me on to my next project, this time something of my own. Thank you all for the incredible amount of support over the last year. I hope to bring you something bigger and better soon!”

And so The Last of Us community lets out a big, “Come on, man!” at the last-minute rug-pull of the long-awaited multiplayer mod. Though I hate to ever say anything in Sony’s defense, they have a leg to stand on in this situation. While Speclizer’s mod was always going to be free to download and use, he does have a Patreon, which puts the situation in messier legal territory. It’s not the first time Sony’s pulled a mod, and it won’t be the last, but after the cancellation of The Last of Us Online when it was 80% of the way done, this one just hurts, y’all. It seems fair enough for Sony not to allow the multiplayer mod of the game to see the light of day, but can’t they see fans clearly yearn for an official version?

Jess Harshbarger writes about books, movies, TV, games, comics, and all things nerdy for Nerdist.

The post Sony Nukes THE LAST OF US PART II Multiplayer Mod appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• These delightful and cozy movies will make you want to snuggle up on the couch with a warm drink and blanket this fall.
• From horror comedies like The Blackening to classic witchy tales like Hocus Pocus, there’s something for everyone on this list.
• Read More: If you are looking for something spooky to listen to, check out our interview with Nightlight Podcast and get into their chilling audio stories.

Halloween is right around the corner, so hopefully you’ve been fully enjoying your pumpkin spice lattes and fresh baked cookies. While a lot of people celebrate all things horror and downright terrifying in October, some of us just enjoy the overall vibes of Fall. Depending on where you live, it is time for cooler temperatures, state fairs, and falling leaves… or maybe you just like to imagine these things as you snuggle on the couch. Speaking of the couch, there’s no better way to spend a Fall night or chill day at home than cozying up with a good movie. If that’s your jam, check out these cozy fall movies that are currently streaming and enjoy your cup of tea. 

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This Excerpt From Cozy Romantasy THE SPELLSHOP Will Enchant You The Gate (1987)

A film about two kids who accidentally release demons from a hole in their backyard doesn’t sound very cozy up front. But its low-stakes horror elements combined with some humor and wholesome themes like the power of family make it a comfy watch on a chilly night. If you have kids who want to dip their toe into horror or you’re that kid at heart yourself, this is a great watch full of ‘80s nostalgia.

Where to Watch: Tubi

Halloweentown (1998)  Disney

This is a classic cozy fall film that ‘90s kids love so much. (It’s me, I’m a ‘90s kid.) The magical place of Halloweentown full of wacky characters that embody the spirit of Halloween in a not-scary way combines with a coming-of-age story that pairs perfectly with some apple cider.

Where to Watch: Disney+

Practical Magic (1998)  Warner Bros.

Who doesn’t love the Owens family full of witchy women? Practical Magic is a bit of a crime drama, a little supernatural fantasy, and a lot of fun. From those lovely spinster aunts to a dash of romance, this film is a concoction of good things with some pretty iconic performances. 

Where to Watch: HBO Max

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The PRACTICAL MAGIC Aunts Are the Perfect Spinster Role Models Hocus Pocus (1993) Disney

It doesn’t get much more cozy fall film than Hocus Pocus. And, while it was fun to see the Sanderson sister rise again in the sequel, the original film will always be the best. The images of kids riding their bikes through Salem while leaves shuffle around them and trick or treating makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Add that to the film’s inherent campiness and happy ending and you’ve got a winning combination.

Where to Watch: Disney+

Good Will Hunting (1997)

If you’re looking for a cozy watch that’s far removed from Halloween and horror, but still gives you plenty of fall vibes and feels, then this is the one. The story of Will Hunting, a math genius working as a janitor, and his friendship with an MIT professor is a certified classic. Matt Damon and Robin Williams are pure magic together. 

Where to Watch: Pluto and Paramount+

The Blackening (2022)

The Blackening leans much more into comedy than it does horror with a funny premise. A group of Black college friends head to a cabin on Juneteenth weekend for fun… until a killer in blackface makes them play a deadly game. Yes, the film doesn’t take place during colder months but the many references to the horror genre and pop culture as a whole still make it feel cozy. We’d totally stay in that cabin if it weren’t a killing ground. 

Where to Watch: Tubi and Hulu

Deadly Blessing (1981) 

This film is far from one of Wes Craven’s most beloved and well-known efforts, but it is still worth watching. Religious sects, ancient evil, and murder sounds like a lot but it is surprisingly atmospheric and chill. 

Where to Watch: Tubi

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)  CBS Films

This is all about the nostalgia, baby. Many of us grew up reading those chilling tales and getting to see them come to life is a delight. The film itself takes place on Halloween night and amps up the creep factor without diving into a full-on bloody horror show. If you like just a bit of horror and want something spooky to watch with the kiddos, turn this movie on. 

Where to Watch: Peacock

Knives Out (2019) Netflix

Chris Evans in a cozy sweater in a whodunnit movie by Rian Johnson that also stars Daniel Craig as a detective with a ridiculous accent. That’s it. That’s all you need to know. 

Where to Watch: For Rent on Prime Video

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Horror comedies are where it’s at for cozy fall movie viewing. And there’s nothing like this darling and damned funny flick. Two American students go on a trek in England only for a werewolf to attack and turn one of them into a beast under the next full moon. There’s comedy and shocking moments abound with just enough horror to satisfy your tastes, if that’s your thing.

Where to Watch: Sling TV

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

This will always be a classic for generations of kids to come. Charlie Brown and friends celebrate Halloween in style as Linus hopes to see the Great Pumpkin one day. 

Where to Watch: Apple TV 

Love Jones (1997)

Romance drama, cozy poetry in a nightclub, steamy love scenes, and foggy runs through a park? Yes, please. Love Jones stars Larenz Tate and Nia Long as Darius Lovehall, a gifted writer, and Nina Moseley, a gorgeous photographer, who fall in love fast. Tensions between them arise with competing career goals and faces from the past coming into play. 

Where to Watch: Pluto TV

Fantastic Mr. Fox

This stop-motion film has lots of colorful imagery as well as a host of funny furry characters that will spark so much joy. The story follows a fox family on the run. There’s nothing quite like this medium of storytelling, which feels inherently cozy no matter what the topic of the movie is.

Where to Watch: Disney+

The Curse of Bridge Hollow Frank Masi/Netflix

You’ll see a familiar face in this family friendly flick. Stranger Things‘ Priah Ferguson stars alongside Marlon Wayans as a dad and daughter duo who spend Halloween night trying to prevent their new small town from turning ghoulish. It’s a cute horror comedy with some genuinely great jokes and lore.

Where to Watch: Netflix

Originally published October 20, 2025.

Tai Gooden is the Features Editor for Nerdist, a fictional villain apologist, and a horror aficionado who is forever waiting for her trip in the TARDIS.

The post 14 Cozy Movies That You Have to Watch This Fall appeared first on Nerdist.

On this week’s “Room Temp” podcast, Markos Moulitsas and comedian Janesh Rahlan discuss how President Donald Trump has started a war he clearly has no idea of how to finish, and how the fallout is hitting everything from global shipping to the gas pump. Meanwhile, Republicans are discovering that being stuck with him might be almost as bad as trying to escape him. “Keep in mind we still have…

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A cartoon by Jack Ohman. Related | Trump says he’s the only one smart enough to regulate AI…

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The Trump administration is admitting that his proposed “Triumphal Arch” in Washington, D.C., will harm historical sites, but must be built anyway.

The Washington Post, citing a National Park Service document and email correspondence, reports that government officials fully acknowledge that the proposed arch, which would be built on the Memorial Circle traffic roundabout would overshadow the nearby Arlington National Cemetery and have negative impacts on other historic sites including the Lincoln Memorial.

The “adverse effects cannot be fully avoided,” an NPS document states, but there’s nowhere else that the arch can be built because “the proposed location at Memorial Circle is central to the undertaking.” The document is a proposed agreement that Trump officials want historical preservation organizations to sign as part of federal requirements.

“NPS recognizes that Memorial Circle is located within a highly sensitive historic and commemorative landscape and that the Undertaking’s location contributes to adverse effects to historic properties whose significance is associated with setting, design, feeling, association, spatial organization, circulation, and contributing views and vistas,” the document states.

The only remedies the White House is offering to these negative effects are new signs and webpages explaining the project to the public, managing construction so as not to interfere with burials at the cemetery, and documenting the surrounding landscape before beginning to build.

An email states that the NPS asked historical preservationists and other groups to review and sign the agreement by noon Monday, which would overcome legal hurdles and secure final approval for the arch. The White House hopes to submit the project to the National Capital Planning Commission for final approval as early as November.

Three veterans and an architectural historian have sued to stop the arch’s construction, and U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan last week ordered the government to give 48 hours before breaking ground on the project, which the Trump administration is fighting. But considering that the White House just admitted that the underlying reason for the lawsuit is valid, the arch may be tied up in court for a while.

Postmaster General David Steiner wants out.

The United States Postal Service chief told individuals close to him that he wants to resign from his post, according to a report from Reuters on Wednesday. “The message was, this isn’t what he signed up for, and he didn’t come on board to get beat up like this,” one source said.

This report comes as President Trump has been attempting to use the supposedly independent mail service to do his bidding in his last-minute midterm election interference, commanding them to only deliver ballots if they had a unique barcode and if states handed over voter lists to the agency. The Supreme Court struck that dream down on Monday, just two days before reports of Steiner’s discontent.

USPS has denied the report, saying it has “absolutely zero ⁠validity.”

Steiner was apparently most discouraged after an intense Senate hearing earlier this summer in which he essentially admitted under oath that USPS would bend the knee to Trump’s attacks on vote-by-mail.

Sen. Peters: "Yes or no, if a state refuses to turn their absentee voter list over to the federal government, will the Postal Service still mail their ballots under this proposed rule?"

Postmaster General David Steiner: "Under our proposed regulation, no." pic.twitter.com/4JYe7Jo450

— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) June 24, 2026

However, sources familiar with Steiner’s plans told Reuters his discontent stretched back even further. The White House was making efforts to assuage Steiner since the end of last year, with donors even setting him up on a golf outing with Trump on one of his properties in Florida in December.

Quick Take

• DC Studios’ Clayface has officially been rated R by the MPA.
• The rating is due to “strong bloody violence, gore, language, some nudity and brief drug use.”
• Mike Flanagan penned the script based on his love of the Batman: The Animated Series episode “Feat of Clay.”
• Nerdist take: We hope Clayface can bring back some of the juice to the DCU after Supergirl tanked.

Since James Gunn first announced DC Studios would make a Mike Flanagan-penned Clayface movie, he and co-studio head Peter Safran maintained that the movie would be a “Hard-R” body horror. We really had no reason to doubt them, but until it’s official, you never know. Well, now it is official (via DreadCentral). The MPA has given Clayface an R rating for “strong bloody violence, gore, language, some nudity and brief drug use.” If any supervillain deserves a violent, gory horror movie, it’s probably Clayface. Or, like, any number of other Batman villains, I suppose.

Warner Bros/DC Studios

Clayface will be the third feature film under Gunn and Safran’s tenure at DC Studios. The first, Gunn’s own Superman was hit with critics and audiences, while Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl from earlier this year was…not. All of the TV series so far have been TV-MA for language and violence, so in many ways, Clayface fits more in with the DCU’s tone at the moment. But an R-rated horror movie, even one that takes place in Gotham City, is by no means a shoo-in for box office glory.

Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) is a heartthrob actor whose life and livelihood take a hit when mobsters beat his face to a pulp. He subjects himself to experimental drugs from fringe scientist Dr. Caitlin Corr (Naomie Ackie) and while at first it seems like everything is both hunky and dory, Hagen’s body begins to lose its structural integrity. It’s almost like his face becomes, well, like clay if you can believe it.

Other cast members include Max Minghella as Gotham Police Detective John Borelli, and Eddie Marsan, David Dencik, and Nancy Carroll in undisclosed roles. Could one of them play Commissioner Gordon? If anyone, I’d guess Marsan, but who knows?

RELATED ARTICLE

The CLAYFACE Movie Is Perfect for These Unsettling Times

Clayface will hit theaters on October 23 and will surely bring the grossness. We hope it can bring back some of the juice to the DCU after Supergirl tanked.

Kyle Anderson is the Senior Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Letterboxd.

The post DC’s CLAYFACE Officially Rated R appeared first on Nerdist.

If you rely on the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s weekly vulnerability bulletin to keep you up to date on the latest threats, we have bad news. It’s being discontinued at the end of September. CISA announced on Wednesday that its weekly vulnerability bulletin would stop going out on Monday, September 28, saying the move was part of its shift from managing vulnerabilities based on severity to “a modern, risk-based approach.” That approach, as CISA explains, is detailed in a June Binding Operational Directive (BOD) that explains how covered federal civilian agencies should prioritize security updates based on real-world risk rather than treating all vulnerabilities and systems equally. “This Directive evolves upon CISA’s known exploited vulnerabilities catalog and increases mission readiness across the federal government by efficiently prioritizing high-risk vulnerabilities for timely action, while deferring action against low-risk vulnerabilities,” the agency explained in June. Evidence of exposure and exploitation, degree of control granted by exploitation, and whether exploitation of the vulnerability can be automated are all part of what goes into determining severity, according to a remediation table included in the June announcement. The June BOD, in a sense, moves covered federal civilian agencies away from relying on static CVSS scores alone when prioritizing vulnerabilities, which helps explain why CISA might want to eliminate the weekly bulletin. The agency didn’t explain, however, why it chose to scrap the bulletin rather than adapt it to the BOD's new standards. One possibility could be that the list of new vulnerabilities is simply getting too big to fit into a weekly email. Patches are addressing rapidly growing numbers of vulnerabilities every time they roll out thanks to AI-assisted security research, while the National Vulnerability Database is still facing a massive backlog and the broader CVE ecosystem is increasingly having to sift through bogus AI-generated reports to identify genuine vulnerabilities. CISA doesn’t want security professionals to abandon CVEs altogether, however. The announcement mentions that those who need to stay up to date on vulnerability information should instead rely on CISA’s known exploited vulnerabilities catalog, its cybersecurity alerts and advisories, and the CVE catalog itself. That means anyone who currently receives and relies on the weekly bulletin needs to log into the GovDelivery or Granicus account and ensure the KEV Catalog and Cybersecurity Advisories subscriptions are enabled. Critical notices could be missed if not, and CISA clearly isn’t too concerned about the potential hiccups this might cause. “CISA remains committed to strengthening national cyber defense and helping organizations prioritize remediation based on real-world risk,” the agency said. Clearly, it doesn’t believe cutting off a regular method of notifying users of critically ranked vulnerabilities falls inside that new risk paradigm, even if the scores are static. ®

“Give us another chance,” says Vice President JD Vance when asked about his midterm message to the American people.

The vice president joined the All-In podcast for a disastrous live interview Wednesday, during which he struggled to defend the Trump administration’s record on everything from the war in Iran to high rates of inflation.

“You promised that you wouldn’t start a foreign war. You promised that you wouldn’t start a foreign war in the Middle East, specifically,” co-host Jason Calacanis said. “Americans—specifically the people who voted for you, Mr. Vice President—are very upset about starting this war. What is your message to them?”

“We invite people into the coalition who disagree with us. You don’t have to agree with us on every single issue.” Vance responded, completely dodging the question. He failed to acknowledge Donald Trump’s repeated promises to stay out of the Middle East, including a pledge at the Republican National Convention two years ago: “With our victory in November, the years of war, weakness, and chaos will be over. I don’t have wars,” Trump said at the time.

“Wanting to keep the United States out of foreign entanglements does not mean that you can never use the military in order to accomplish the American people’s objectives,” Vance continued. “I think the president has actually done the responsible thing here, which is to try to ensure that world energy markets, despite Iranian terrorism, continue to get that flow of oil and gas.”

That “flow” Vance failed to mention, has resulted in the American people spending over $100 billion more at the gas pump since the war began seven months ago. (He also neglected to mention that oil was flowing just fine before Trump started his war of choice.)

“The alternative here, which is the United States effectively says to the Middle East, ‘You’re on your own,’ would mean necessarily a worldwide energy crisis,” Vance said, echoing his previous comments that Americans should be grateful gas prices aren’t higher.

The interview went even further off the rails when Vance was asked about his message to voters leading into the midterms elections this fall.

“Give us another couple of years,” Vance said. “Do you want to reelect the people who have made substantial progress, accepting there is still a lot of work to be done, or do you want to go back to the people who caused the problem in the first place?”

If Vance is trying to engender support for his historically unpopular party come November, “it could be worse” and “can we have re-do” are not exactly inspiring rallying cries.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Vance said.

DC fans have wondered why Guy Gardner is Green Lantern in Superman instead of Hal Jordan or John Stewart. Well, Lanterns episode 5 just answered that, plus explained the whole origin of the DCU. Kyle Anderson breaks down the episode, the series thus far, and why John Stewart really deserves to wield the ring.

The post LANTERNS Explains Why Guy Gardner Is the Green Lantern appeared first on Nerdist.

Quick Take

• After more than a decade, Star Wars: The Force Awakens loses its all-time domestic box office crown to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which just earned over $936 million.
• The Force Awakens held onto that box office record for ten years, but Spider-Man: Brand New Day beat it in 47 days.
• Nerdist’s take: Many believed the days of high box office grosses like this were a thing of life from before the pandemic, but between Spidey and The Odyssey, it’s clear theatrical moviegoing is back in a big way.

A box office record held for over a decade has finally been broken. And we can safely say that just a few months ago, absolutely no one saw this coming. According to Variety, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is now the highest earning film at the domestic box office. Having now earned $936.773 million after 47 days in theaters, it has beat Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which earned $936 million total. Of course, globally, Brand New Day has already earned a staggering $2.45 billion, making it the third highest grossing film worldwide of all time. Lucasfilm has already put out a message of congratulations to Sony and the Spider-Man team.

A few months ago, no one would have believed Brand New Day had a shot at becoming the #1 domestic movie of all time. Box office power had slowed considerably since the pandemic. Especially as shorter theatrical windows cut into how long a movie played in theaters. Not only that, but Brand New Day was the fourth Tom Holland Spider-Man movie and ninth overall. Without the added bonus of starring alongside the two other Spider-Man actors, few believed Brand New Day could outperform No Way Home. And beating the sequel to Return of the Jedi, which saw the return of Luke, Han, and Leia after decades? It seemed an impossible task. But here we are.

Sony/Lucasfilm

Of course, once you start the whole “adjusted for inflation” game, it’s likely that The Force Awakens sold more tickets. Brand New Day may not beat that record anytime soon. In fact, if we’re adjusting for inflation, neither Brand New Day nor The Force Awakens are even in the top five. But hey, let’s not try to dim Spidey’s light. This is a big day for Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Destin Daniel Cretton.

Nerdist’s Take: Spidey and The Odyssey Prove Moviegoing Is Back in a Big Way (Finally)

Between Brand New Day and The Odyssey, the theatrical moviegoing experience, once thought on its last legs post-pandemic, is definitely back. Now, let’s see if BND can become the first film to crack $1 billion domestic. We suggest releasing a longer cut, maybe with Rosario Dawson’s and other scenes inserted back in, to get it past that milestone. Anything is possible. We’re sure Sony is already at least considering it. We will have to wait and see.

Eric Diaz is a staff writer at Nerdist and a Swiss Army knife of fandoms. Eric loves DC, Marvel, horror movies, and even Star Wars and Star Trek equally.

The post BRAND NEW DAY Tops THE FORCE AWAKENS as Domestic Box Office Champ appeared first on Nerdist.

Can Meta dodge the "pervert glasses" accusations with a new camera-free product?

Welp, that’s it. The House has officially left Washington, D.C., for the final time before the midterms, canceling votes scheduled for Thursday to head home and campaign on their pathetic record of increasing healthcare costs, slashing taxes for the rich, and refusing to rein in President Donald Trump’s disastrous tariffs and war in Iran. So why did they skip town so early?

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The move closes the gap between the market discussions taking place on the timeline, and the market itself.

Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday that he would send Congress home early for its seven-week campaigning recess ahead of November’s midterm elections. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth—who was scheduled for an impeachment vote brought by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) on the basis of his conduct during the Iran war—has been marked safe, for now.

House Republicans had planned to remain in session until Thursday. Now, they’re taking their final votes of the session Wednesday night, after which they’ll head home to face voters.

Massie, who introduced Hegseth’s articles of impeachment, said the early dismissal reflected GOP leaders’ fear that Hegseth might actually be impeached.

Among the “high crimes and misdemeanors” listed in Massie’s 34-page resolution are assertions that Hegseth knowingly violated the War Powers Resolution, that he “knowingly executed and implemented unlawful orders to initiate war against a foreign nation notwithstanding the absence of congressional authorization,” and that he “acted in a manner contrary to his trust as Secretary of Defense and subversive of constitutional government.”

Massie, a libertarian, found himself supported by lawmakers across the aisle. Hegseth, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) wrote on social media, “has presided over the slaughter of thousands of civilians in immoral wars, aided and abetted genocide, and led a campaign of extrajudicial assassinations.”

I support Rep. Massie’s articles of impeachment against Pete Hegseth.

He has presided over the slaughter of thousands of civilians in immoral wars, aided and abetted genocide, and led a campaign of extrajudicial assassinations.

He belongs in the Hague, not our government.

— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) September 16, 2026

Mike Johnson, however, didn’t want to hear it. The articles of impeachment, he said, are “a publicity stunt by someone who wants attention. It will immediately be tabled, of course….We should not be playing games with national security.”

And there it is. Just as I predicted. They’re canceling Congress tomorrow to avoid the vote on IMPEACHING @SecWar. It will also make it harder for us to reach 218 signatures on the Epstein Discharge Petition before the election. We were at 190+ signatures last night. https://t.co/nltarUjayl

— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) September 16, 2026

Though Massie asserted on social media that the impeachment vote was the reason he’s being sent home early, Johnson didn’t say so directly. Instead, he told reporters, “It’s time for our members to go home to their districts and make the case to the American people.”

Hegseth, between announcing and rescinding military testosterone-supplementation guidelines, doesn’t seem to have found time to speak on the matter of his potential impeachment.

In a statement, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said the “entire Department is unified behind the Secretary’s vision and will continue working to put our warfighters and America first.”

CFO Mark Davies and legal chief Andy Missan signed each other’s severance agreements while Matt Mullenweg was on leave, providing a year of salary and additional equity vesting if their departures qualify for the benefits.

Republicans appear to be listening to the White House rather than the president.

Conservatives seem to have completely dodged Donald Trump’s midterm advice since the Republican Midterm Convention last week, during which the president told his party to promise $5,000 government handouts and act as if he’s on the ballot.

An analysis of more than a million social media messages conducted by The Washington Post found that conservative candidates across the country have opted to stick with their own messages rather than further ingratiate themselves in Trump’s orbit.

Mentions of Trump by Republican candidates online have almost halved since January, dropping from mentions in 15 percent of posts to just 9 percent in September. Some hopeful office-seekers have even stripped their websites and campaign materials of Trump’s name, attempting to split themselves from the president’s sinking reputation.

That’s the advice that the White House offered in July, when staffers explicitly encouraged midterm-bound Republicans to break from Trump in an effort to save their election chances.

Republicans already had little to campaign on ahead of the November race, but one right-wing senator told Punchbowl Wednesday that Trump was “putting a noose around all of our necks” by continuing to escalate his trade wars so close to Election Day.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll published late last month suggested that the president’s influence is waning: Just 13 percent of Americans strongly approve of him—compared to 23 percent in a 2025 YouGov poll this time last year.

Top issues impacting Trump’s popularity include the seemingly endless Iran war, the rising cost of living, an economy and supply chain thrown out of whack by the president’s reckless tariffs, the cost of health care, and the encroachment of AI and the industry’s data centers in American communities—which Trump has unequivocally backed—a hot topic.

Republican attitudes toward Trump have also changed, according to the Reuters/Ipsos poll. Just 35 percent of surveyed conservatives said they “strongly approved” of Trump’s job during his second term. In the same poll, 41 percent of registered voters said that they would vote for a Democratic candidate if the presidential election were conducted today.