Politics: 5 stories from this week

February 7, 2026

Here are some stories you might have missed this week, curated by Times editors and personalized for you.

Kenny Holston/The New York Times

‘I Didn’t Make a Mistake’: Trump Declines to Apologize for Racist Video of Obamas

The video clip that President Trump posted in a late-night flurry of social media activity caused an unusually strong and public outcry from members of his own party.

By Erica L. Green, Isabella Kwai and Zolan Kanno-Youngs

A portrait of Nekima Levy Armstrong, who is wearing a pink blazer.

Victor J. Blue for The New York Times

‘They Couldn’t Break Me’: A Protester, the White House and a Doctored Photo

President Trump and the White House regularly circulate imagery that has been manipulated by A.I. But the photo of Nekima Levy Armstrong was different.

By Erica L. Green

Caroline Gutman for The New York Times

The G.O.P. Senator Who Can’t Stop Thinking About the Boy ICE Detained

Katie Britt is uniquely positioned to reason with the Trump administration — when she chooses to speak up.

By Caroline Kitchener

Melania Trump stands smiling, wearing a black suit and stilettos. The white wall behind her features large “MELANIA” lettering and Amazon MGM Studios text.

Doug Mills/The New York Times

critic’s notebook

Everyone Is Missing the Point About the ‘Melania’ Movie

It’s not really a movie at all. It’s a marketing deck.

By Vanessa Friedman

Joseph H. Thompson, at a microphone, stands near other men in suits in front of several flags.

Ben Brewer for The New York Times

Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good’s Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop.

Federal prosecutors had a warrant to collect evidence from Ms. Good’s vehicle, but Trump administration leaders said to drop it. About a dozen prosecutors have departed, leaving the Minnesota U.S. attorney’s office in turmoil.

By Ernesto Londoño

‘I Didn’t Make a Mistake’: Trump Declines to Apologize for Racist Video of Obamas

‘They Couldn’t Break Me’: A Protester, the White House and a Doctored Photo

The G.O.P. Senator Who Can’t Stop Thinking About the Boy ICE Detained

Everyone Is Missing the Point About the ‘Melania’ Movie

Prosecutors Began Investigating Renee Good’s Killing. Washington Told Them to Stop.

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