Virginia Democrats plan to propose a new congressional map that would likely net four additional House seats for the party. The map reportedly would give Democrats a 10-1 congressional delegation advantage in the state. “We made a promise to level the playing field, and today we’re keeping our promise. Our maps are ready. Virginia’s ready. We said 10-1, and we meant it,” Virginia Senate President Pro Tem L. Louise Lucas told reporters. BREAKING: Virginia Democrat lawmakers are seeking to pass a 10 Democrat, 1 Republican 2026 Congressional map. pic.twitter.com/FzHs1Xr7Jy — Leading Report (@LeadingReport) February 5, 2026 POLITICO explained further: Virginia Democrats’ effort comes after a Tazewell County judge halted Democrats from moving forward, siding with Republicans who claim state lawmakers did not follow the law when they kickstarted the redistricting effort in October. The state Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on the legal challenge that Democrats violated state procedure. The pending map release comes as national Democrats view Virginia as their biggest prize in the reapportionment battle with Republicans that got underway in July, when Texas carved out five new Republican-friendly districts in hopes of keeping the House under GOP control following this fall’s elections. “Virginia to the rescue,” proclaimed Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, speaking after Lucas. He said Republicans are rigging the midterms in order to ensure Trump and Republicans maintain their hold on all levels of power in Washington. “They know they can’t win on their agenda in 2026 so instead of changing their ideas, they’re trying to break the system. A 10-1 map levels the playing field and we’re ready to move forward,” Scott said. “Donald Trump knows he’s going to lose the midterms. He knows it. That’s why he’s started this mess in the first place,” Lucas said. Footage below: BREAKING: Virginia House Speaker Don Scott and Sen. Louise Lucas just announced they will release a 10 Democrats to 1 Republican Congressional map by the end of today or early tomorrow. This is how you fight back. pic.twitter.com/FsKfpRy38T — Democratic Wins Media (@DemocraticWins) February 5, 2026 The Hill has more: Virginia Democrats had been mulling two different map proposals — one that would give the party a 10-1 edge in the congressional delegation and one that would give them a 9-2 edge. The state currently has a 6-5 Democratic edge. Virginia represents one of the last chances for Democrats to redistrict ahead of the 2026 elections. Lawmakers are looking to tee up a constitutional amendment before voters in the spring that would allow Democrats to temporarily redraw the congressional lines in the state before the midterms. A judge recently ruled that Democrats wouldn’t be able to hold their redistricting referendum in time ahead of the midterms, though the party is appealing that ruling. Should Democrats be successful with their redistricting effort before November, the new pickup opportunities could help level the playing field for the party. Republicans are so far projected to have at least nine pickup opportunities this cycle from redistricting, while Democrats currently have at least six.

President Trump announced on Thursday a massive prayer event at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The event is scheduled for May 17th, 2026. “I am pleased to announce that on May 17th, 2026, that we’re inviting Americans from all across the country to come together on our National Mall to pray, to give thanks,” Trump said. “We’re going to rededicate America as One Nation Under God,” he added. Check it out: .@POTUS: "I am pleased to announce that on May 17th, 2026, we're inviting Americans from all across the country to come together on our National Mall to pray, give thanks, and to… rededicate America as One Nation Under God." pic.twitter.com/pFcLoFFK5X — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 5, 2026 More from the New York Post: Trump did not specify why May 17 was selected, however, shortly before the Declaration of Independence, the colonial Congress had declared May 17, 1776, a national day of fasting and prayer. May 17 also comes a few days after multiple Christian denominations celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ. Trump also revealed that the Department of Education will be taking steps to protect prayer in public schools. “I’m also pleased to announce that the Department of Education is officially issuing its new guidance to protect the right to prayer in our public schools,” Trump said. “That’s a big deal.” “Now the Democrats will sue us, but we’ll win.” The Supreme Court ruled in 1962 that school-sponsored, mandatory prayer in public schools violates the First Amendment. Footage below: .@POTUS: "Today, I'm also pleased to announce that the Department of Education is officially issuing its new guidance to protect the right to prayer in our public schools. That's a big deal!" pic.twitter.com/HkdQ1sZwa4 — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 5, 2026 NewsNation shared further: President Donald Trump addressed lawmakers and faith leaders Thursday at the 74th National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., proclaiming, “Religion is back now, hotter than ever before.” The event, which began in 1953, is billed as an opportunity to pray for the nation, the president and other national and international leaders. Trump took the opportunity to describe the impact he believes he has had on religion in the United States over the past year. “This prayer breakfast comes at a special time for this country, as we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence,” Trump said. “Some major politicians refuse to say the word, ‘God.’ They don’t want to say it. But I say it. That we are endowed with our sacred rights to life, liberty and not by government, but by God Almighty himself.” During his speech, Trump addressed the recent arrest of former CNN journalist Don Lemon, who was charged by the Department of Justice in January with violating federal laws when a protest he was covering in Minneapolis interrupted a worship service. “I watched his performance, it was terrible. They tried to use freedom of press and all this to get out of a criminal event, but that was a horrible thing to witness,” Trump said. “And if we allowed that to go, you wouldn’t be able to have a church … Everybody would be afraid to go to church, and that we are not going to allow, are we?” Watch Trump’s remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast below:

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the arrest of self-identified Antifa member Kyle Wagner on federal threat and cyberstalking charges after he allegedly made murder and assault threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).