The Morning Roundup – November 9, 2026

Good morning from The Monolith Media. With the midterms settled, Washington snaps back to business today: President Trump has named Stephen Miller as his White House chief of staff, Hakeem Jeffries says Democrats won’t work with him, and Congress returns with government funding atop its to-do list. Meanwhile the 2028 jockeying has already begun, with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani courting progressive unions and Jon Ossoff topping early Democratic chatter, and a federal judge has ordered New York City to hand ICE some Bronx shelter names. The left is focused on Congress’s agenda and the human side of immigration, the center on the Miller pick and the shelter ruling, and the right on Democrats’ leftward drift, public safety, and Trump’s own “60 Minutes” defense of his wealth.

LEFT

NBC News – “Trump administration live updates: Congress returns with government funding atop the to-do list”

NBC’s live blog tracks Congress’s return to Washington, where keeping the government funded is the first order of business. It also follows President Trump’s meeting with the prime minister of Qatar and the Supreme Court’s announcement of new cases.

Esquire – “My Life as an Asylum Seeker in the U.S.”

A first-person essay from an asylum seeker who came to the U.S. 11 years ago to give their daughter a better life. The writer says they still believe in the American dream, even if the American government doesn’t want them here.

CENTER

USA TODAY – “Trump names Stephen Miller chief of staff, Jeffries pushes back”

This video report covers President Trump’s choice of Stephen Miller as his new White House chief of staff. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries responded that Democrats will not work with Miller, setting up an early clash as Congress returns.

Marcus Espinoza and Josie Fischels (NewsNation) – “NYC must give ICE some Bronx shelter names, federal judge rules”

A federal judge has ruled that New York City must provide Immigration and Customs Enforcement with the names of some people in Bronx homeless shelters. A spokesperson for Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the administration is “evaluating next steps.”

Lauren Healey (Sauce Magazine) – “Toastique brings toast and smoothie bowls to downtown St. Louis”

Toastique is opening its first Missouri cafe in downtown St. Louis on Nov. 21. The shop will serve gourmet toast, smoothies, juices and coffee.

RIGHT

Patrick Reilly (New York Post) – “Mamdani privately meets with powerful lefty unions about 2028 — as he makes striking AOC admission”

The Post reports that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been privately meeting with left-leaning labor union leaders and pushing for a progressive candidate to run for the White House in 2028. The story also highlights a notable remark Mamdani made about Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Matt Margolis (PJ Media) – “Laughing My Ossoff About 2028”

Margolis looks at early 2028 polling showing Sen. Jon Ossoff leading the Democratic field as Kamala Harris’s support fades. He argues the shift reflects a party growing more radical.

Tom Weitzel (John Kass News) – “The Midterm Elections Are Over. Now Public Safety Pays the Price.”

Retired police chief Tom Weitzel argues that DSA gains, anti-police political agendas and judicial retention results from the Nov. 3 midterms should concern every American who cares about public safety. He writes from a law enforcement perspective about the new political landscape.

Thomas English (New York Post) – “Trump explains $3B net worth jump in ’60 Minutes’ interview: ‘You should’ve had stock'”

In a “60 Minutes” interview, President Trump addressed the sharp rise in his personal fortune, which Forbes estimates at about $6 billion, up from $2.3 billion in 2024. His answer, per the headline: “You should’ve had stock.”

Sasha Stone – “On the Road Looking for the Silver Lining”

A premium-subscriber post in which Stone reflects on life on the road and the anonymity of being “a nobody from nowhere” on the interstate. As the title suggests, she is searching for a silver lining in the current moment.

Riley Cardoza (Page Six) – “Elon Musk defends convicted rapist Russell Brand over ‘unjust’ sentencing”

Elon Musk has come to Russell Brand’s defense, calling his sentencing “unjust.” Brand, 51, was found guilty last week of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

Tamantha Ryan (Page Six) – “Amanda Seyfried cuddles estranged husband Thomas Sadoski as she shares insight into their ‘boring’ divorce”

Amanda Seyfried, 40, and Thomas Sadoski, 50, announced in September that they were separating after nine years of marriage. Seyfried now describes the split as a “boring” divorce, and the two were seen cuddling.