Newsweek is reporting that Washington is anticipating a flurry of Supreme Court decisions in the lead-up to the Fourth of July, with birthright citizenship identified as a chief among them. It said that Colorado is set to hold primaries tomorrow, which are shaping up to be more interesting than expected due to an insurgency within the Democratic party. Newsweek noted potential upsets for Michael Bennet in the governor's primary or Sen. John Hickenlooper against his Democratic Socialists of America challenger in the Senate primary.
Newsweek highlighted New York City politician Zohran Mamdani, describing him as a generational political talent. It said Mamdani's priorities, such as endorsing fringe candidates, freezing rent and antagonizing billionaires, may not be beneficial for the city in the long run. Newsweek referenced Mamdani's appearance on ABC's "This Week," where he responded to Jonathan Karl's socialist label by saying, "Sounds pretty socialist to me," and affirmed his support for the Constitution as it is.
Newsweek stated that Mamdani excels at delivering for his constituents, even if policies like a rent freeze are seen as detrimental to the broader electorate, and at appearing to enjoy interacting with voters. It cited examples such as handing out World Cup tickets, riding his bike to City Hall and jumping into a public pool. Newsweek suggested that President Donald J Trump, who understands the importance of delivering for voters, has been uncharacteristically warm toward Mamdani, but may test him with an ICE crackdown in New York City. It added that Mamdani, who has benefited from positive exogenous events like the Knicks' championship run, is expected to be a significant force in the 2028 Democratic primary.
Newsweek also focused on Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff, positioning him as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential nominee. It said Ossoff employs a selective media strategy, making noise at weekend rallies when President Trump is less active, a tactic pioneered by Chuck Schumer. Newsweek noted Ossoff's charisma and his focus on the accomplishments of traditional liberalism, while keeping his criticism of President Trump tightly focused on corruption. It reported that conservative media, including Fox's Laura Ingraham, are beginning to view Ossoff as a threat, with Ingraham tweeting, "He's their new Obama."