Week in Politics: Trump's Russian diesel deal update; why the DOJ is suing California

President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving broad sanctions on Russia, a step that follows his announcement of an arrangement to bring in Russian diesel. NPR's Ron Elving says the move looks like a pivot away from supporting Ukraine and toward Vladimir Putin. The promised energy ceasefire has not materialized: Ukrainian forces went back to hitting Russian refineries after Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants. Elving adds that market experts see little chance of lower fuel prices soon, even though Trump had cast the deal as relief for American drivers. Prices have climbed since the start of the Iran war in March.

Separately, with midterms approaching, the Justice Department has sued California to stop the tallying of ballots it believes came from "likely noncitizens." Elving describes this as the latest round in Trump's long campaign against California's elections, noting that earlier claims of mass illegal voting came without evidence and that data handed over in similar efforts has not shown unlawful voting. He cites the Heritage Foundation, which has recorded 99 such cases across the country in four decades. A Fox News poll found fraud is not near the top of voter concerns, which center on the economy.

Summarized by PolitiKool from NPR’s reporting. Read the full story at NPR →