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Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem may be out of her high-profile Donald Trump administration job, but she is still the subject of tabloid fodder with a member of her husband’s side of the family suggesting her post-DHS life is headed for increased marital strife.

In an interview with the California Post's Caitlin Doornbos, an unidentified relative claimed that Bryan Noem has remained loyal to his wife despite reports of an alleged affair with Corey Lewandowski, a longtime Trump associate serving as a "special government employee" in her DHS operation.

With Texas Republicans facing the prospect of a bruising battle between Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the nomination for the seat Cornyn now holds, longtime political advisor Mark McKinnon said the GOP in Texas may have a bigger problem.

Appearing on MS NOW’s “The Weekend,” McKinnon noted that he has been historically skeptical about enthusiasm for rising political stars, but Democratic nominee James Talarico seems to have tapped into something and voter turnout this past week should make the GOP leadership sit up and notice.

Asked about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s standing with Congress to date, a Democratic lawmaker told the co-hosts of MS NOW’s “The Weekend” that there is a growing movement to see him gone.

Appearing on Saturday morning, Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) took his own shots at the controversial former Fox News personality, before he was asked, “Should Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, should he stick around? “

Retired United States Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling did not give MS NOW host Jackie Alemany much of a chance to ask about comments made by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about Russian involvement in the Iran war on Saturday morning.

Instead, he jumped the gun, talked over her, and hammered Hegseth, whom he dismissively referred to as a “former Fox host” earlier.

Donald Trump’s unrelenting drive to implement his policies has turned them into “liabilities” that threaten his next three years in office, and his allies are growing increasingly worried that he has painted himself into a corner.

The past week has laid bare the consequences of Trump's overreach—a combination of policy missteps and self-inflicted damage that is tanking his poll numbers and his ability to command congressional support.

A stagnant labor market and skyrocketing gas prices fueled by the Iran conflict are ravaging the economy. The sudden ouster of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has shone a harsh spotlight on the administration's deeply unpopular immigration agenda. Wall Street analysts are now warning that surging oil prices could trigger stagflation, and the cascade of bad news has jeopardized the GOP's ability to keep voters focused on Trump administration policies supposedly designed to ease the rising cost of living.

One Trump ally, granted anonymity to speak freely, captured the political peril: "If you combine an economy that people don't like with a prolonged war that you know nobody in his base believes they voted for, that's a toxic problem." Though Trump isn't on the ballot this year, Republicans desperately need his approval ratings to improve if they hope to maintain control of Congress.

"Don't drag this war out," the person warned. "That's my best advice for the administration. The country is in no mood for a prolonged war."

The Iran conflict has sent oil and gas prices soaring—pump prices have climbed more than 11 percent in a single week. With employers cutting payroll and Trump reshuffling his immigration leadership, the president has lost the upper hand on the two issues critical to GOP midterm success.

Matthew Bartlett, a Republican strategist and former Trump State Department appointee, acknowledged the predicament: "We are a year into the Trump presidency, and it seems as if everything has changed but the economy. Now, as we head into the midterms, our only message on the economy is, 'You should thank us for the One Big, Beautiful Bill.' That's always going to be a challenge."

Republican operatives are already resorting to damage control. One midterms strategist, speaking anonymously, offered blunt counsel: "Focus just on the local s--t, stop focusing on the world. Even if you obviously can't bring prices down, just do everything you can to make the people feel like the economy is getting better."

In the early hours of Saturday morning, Donald Trump ramped up his Iran war rhetoric with the threat, “Today Iran will be hit very hard!” and menaced the country with “complete destruction.”

At a time when polling shows the president’s military assault on the country is proving to be highly unpopular, Trump appears to be doubling down in his boast-filled Truth Social post.

Kristi Noem's firing as Homeland Security Secretary could presage trouble for Attorney General Pam Bondi, whose future faces scrutiny following Trump's Cabinet purge after Republican concerns. Bondi has drawn fire for her handling of Epstein files and slow-walking their release. As many as 20 Republicans may support punitive action against the nation's top prosecutor, according to Politico. Five Republicans sided with Democrats to subpoena Bondi, who must testify before a House committee. Though Trump publicly praised Bondi during a Thursday Inter Miami event, stating she'll prove her toughness over the next three years, her political standing remains uncertain. The White House claims full confidence in her, but Rep. Tim Burchett noted she's "in the batter's box," suggesting her job security depends on performance. Democrats may now pivot focus to Bondi with Noem removed as the target.

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At least four people were killed and a dozen more injured after a tornado struck southern Michigan on Friday amid a widespread severe weather outbreak that battered parts of the Midwest and Plains, officials said.

Authorities said the storms brought damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rain from Texas to the Great Lakes, leaving communities across southwestern Michigan reeling – and the threat of even more thunderstorm activity isn’t over, meteorologist John Hart told the New York Times.

On Friday, former President Barack Obama delivered a pointed eulogy for civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson at the House of Hope in Chicago. With thousands listening to his eulogy, Obama criticized Donald Trump's presidency. Without naming him directly, Obama condemned assaults on democratic institutions, the rule of law, and common decency. Obama also criticized those in high office, who sow fear and division, celebrate greed and bigotry while denigrating science and expertise. Obama described a climate where ignorance, dishonesty, cruelty, and corruption are rewarded daily. He urged Americans to resist cynicism and complacency, invoking Jackson's example as inspiration to become "heralds of change" and "messengers of hope." Obama emphasized the importance of stepping forward to make an impact in schools, workplaces, and communities, arguing that Jackson's legacy demands continued commitment to democratic values and social justice.

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Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH) reportedly made arrangements not to have to fly home to Ohio to testify in a major public corruption trial, with legal counsel suggesting his presence in D.C. was necessary due to the war in Iran — but then he flew home anyway, to attend a political fundraiser.

According to News 5 Cleveland, "the senator's testimony won't be at the Summit County Court of Common Pleas. It will be hundreds of miles away," with the defense attorney for FirstEnergy Vice President Mike Dowling telling the court, "Given the war, his availability is not great. We have spoken with his counsel... Given everything that's going on in the world, we don't feel that he can or should insist upon him leaving his post in Washington DC right now."

Critics on social media sounded the alarm after comments from Pete Hegseth in a preview of an upcoming interview on “60 Minutes” began circulating online Friday.

In the clip, Hegseth was asked about reports that Russia is assisting Iran in targeting Americans and whether that would place U.S. personnel in greater danger.

Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) announced on Friday that he has filed to run for re-election as an independent — effectively leaving the Republican Party, at least for his election campaign, after voters dismantled his district in the Proposition 50 redistricting in California.

In his announcement, Kiley slammed California Democrats for putting him in an untenable position.