Political Junkie Ken Rudin

The bitter fight over Judge Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court has overshadowed other recent political news, including President Trump's address to the United Nations, a possible second U.S.-North Korea summit and the fate of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.

Tuesday's primary results shake things up, as progressive liberals in the Democratic Party show their strength; candidates endorsed by President Donald Trump come out ahead; and former presidential candidate Mitt Romney easily wins the GOP nomination for the Senate in Utah.    

After the school shooting tragedy in Florida President Trump says he is willing to look at tougher gun control measures, upsetting many in his base. The Russian probe becomes more intense as another former top Trump campaign official pleads guilty to fraud and to lying to investigators. The president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has his security clearance downgraded. And another Sanders is running for Congress.

The federal government shuts down, and then re-opens, at least for another couple of weeks. President Trump and some members of congress accuse the FBI of bias and hint there is evidence of a "secret society" within the agency. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is questioned by the special counsel’s office as the investigation into Russia’s interference in the presidential election continues. And President Trump is scheduled to make his first State of the Union Address next Tuesday.

This week President Trump presented his National Security Strategy, calling Russia and China U.S. rivals and Iran and North Korea rogue states. A massive GOP tax overhaul unpopular with approximately 50 percent of Americans is headed into law. Congress addresses further accusations of sexual harassment as some senators backtrack on their earlier call for Al Franken to resign. And the Russian investigation moves forward. 

North Korea claims it successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile, able to strike anywhere in the United States. Congress works to extend government funding before a December 8 deadline to avoid a shutdown as Republicans push their tax plan to passage. A fight over the new director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau goes to the courts. 

This week President Trump engaged in Twitter battles with two members of Congress, Republican Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona called the President's actions "a danger to democracy" from the floor of the Senate, and a congressional committee announced it would investigate a uranium deal with Russia under President Obama.

North Korea's Foreign Minister says President Trump's tweets serve as a declaration of war, giving North Korea the right to shoot down U.S. jets, even in international airspace. The special counsel is looking into the flow of money with ties to Russia into Trump political funds. 

The Republican party divides over the senate's version of a healthcare bill, the White House bans cameras and recording devices from press briefings, Democrats go 0 - 4 in special congressional elections, which is causing division in their party, and President Trump continues his claims about fake news.