02-18-2026 - James Talarico & CBS News, Supreme Court, Iran Developments, and More

This week saw mounting political turbulence: Stephen Colbert accused CBS of caving to regulatory pressure after it refused to air his interview with Senate candidate James Talarico over FCC “equal time” concerns, while UN experts urged independent investigations into the “Epstein Files” and Rep. Ted Lieu called for U.S. action; DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stepped down amid immigration backlash under Secretary Kristi Noem; New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani proposed major tax hikes, pressuring Gov. Kathy Hochul; Sen. Mark Kelly floated a 2028 presidential bid; fierce redistricting battles expanded in states like Texas and Florida; speculation grew about Justice Samuel Alito’s potential retirement as the Court weighs Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump; and rising U.S.–Iran tensions prompted Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna to push for a War Powers vote, underscoring a volatile pre-midterm climate.