Trump’s new messenger: From the Politics Desk

Key Points:

• Katie Zacharia, President Trump's new White House press secretary, held a brief first briefing lasting under 15 minutes, mainly reading prepared remarks and taking questions from conservative outlets; she emphasized her role as amplifying the president's message.
• Zacharia revealed that Kimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. ambassador to Greece, has been asked to resign amid misconduct allegations, marking one of the briefing's notable disclosures.
• Minnesota's Senate race is unusually tight despite the state's strong Democratic history, with Democrat Peggy Flanagan leading Republican Michele Tafoya by just 4 points in recent polls amid local controversies and fraud investigations.
• The open Senate seat, local fraud issues, and Tafoya's independent "pro-choice Republican" stance contribute to the competitiveness of the Minnesota race, which contrasts with Democratic gains in other traditionally Republican states.
• National Republican groups have not heavily invested in Minnesota, suggesting skepticism about their chances, while Democrats remain cautious amid federal investigations involving Rep. Ilhan Omar, reflecting heightened political tensions in the state.