Succession fight under way as Bernie Sanders calls for Platner to drop out of Maine Senate race – US politics live

Bernie Sanders Recommends Graham Platner Withdraw from Maine Senate Race Following Allegations

Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, stated on Tuesday that he had spoken with Graham Platner and recommended the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate seat in Maine step aside. Sanders cited “very serious allegations” in a written statement. The recommendation came hours before an additional claim of sexual misconduct was reported.

Platner has denied the allegations. The first report, published by Politico on Monday, included an account from Jenny Racicot, 41, who said she previously dated Platner. Racicot stated that Platner forced her to have sex despite repeated objections five years earlier while Platner was heavily intoxicated. She later described the incident to CNN as rape. The Washington Post subsequently reported the same account. Platner’s denial of the claims has remained consistent.

Maine Democratic Party executive director Devon Murphy-Anderson released a video statement Tuesday night indicating that the party is preparing an “open, inclusive, transparent and fair” process for selecting a replacement nominee. She said details would not be released until Platner formally withdraws. Murphy-Anderson stated that Platner’s team had attempted to influence the process and that the party had informed his representatives they would have no role in choosing the next nominee or shaping the selection procedure.

The Senate contest in Maine is viewed by both parties as consequential for control of the chamber. Prominent Democrats had already urged Platner to withdraw after the initial report appeared.

In separate developments, President Donald Trump arrived at a NATO summit in Ankara and renewed his interest in U.S. acquisition of Greenland. He stated that European resistance constituted “a big problem” and linked his comments to disagreements over defense spending and support for U.S. actions regarding Iran. Trump said he remained upset with NATO members over their positions on Greenland and Iran, describing Spain as a “terrible partner” and directing his treasury secretary to end trade business with that country. He reiterated that Greenland was important for U.S. protection and not for Denmark.

Trump also declared that a ceasefire with Iran was over following an overnight exchange between U.S. and Iranian forces. He criticized NATO allies for insufficient support in his campaign against Iran and suggested that U.S. commitment to European defense had been affected by European decisions on immigration and energy policy. He threatened to withdraw all American armed forces from Europe if allies continued to resist his positions.

A federal appeals panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the higher-education provisions of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s law known as the Stop Woke Act violated the First Amendment. The court held that the sections restricting how college and university professors may teach or discuss concepts of race and gender infringed on free-expression rights. The decision addressed only the higher-education component of the statute.

A poll conducted by the Harris Poll for The Guardian found that 95 percent of Americans believe the United States is experiencing an affordability crisis. Respondents reported difficulty with rising costs of groceries and gasoline. The survey was fielded amid the conflict involving Iran and before the midterm elections scheduled for the fall.

The Food and Drug Administration declined a petition filed in November 2023 by the Tucson Environmental Justice Task Force seeking regulatory limits on PFAS compounds in food. The agency cited its current approach of addressing the chemicals primarily through water regulation. Attorney Sandra Daussin for the task force described the decision as disappointing and said the group plans to file suit to compel the FDA to establish thresholds. The petition noted that the Environmental Protection Agency has identified food as a major source of PFAS exposure and that testing has shown certain contaminated food servings contain levels comparable to multiple glasses of affected water.

President Trump has increased references to a “communist takeover” of the Democratic Party in public remarks ahead of the November midterm elections. A Reuters review of his statements between June 23 and July 6 recorded 81 invocations of the term, including descriptions of certain primary winners as “hardcore, godless communists.” Preliminary internal focus-group findings indicated the messaging energizes Trump’s core supporters and may increase turnout among infrequent Republican voters, while showing less resonance with independents and younger voters.

Republican Senate leaders addressed questions about former majority leader Mitch McConnell’s health. McConnell, 84, was hospitalized on June 14; his office has not disclosed the reason for admission. Senate Republican Leader John Thune reported speaking with McConnell by telephone on Monday for a lengthy conversation covering national security and other topics. Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso also spoke with McConnell on Tuesday in a call lasting approximately 20 minutes, according to a spokesperson.

The sequence of events in Maine follows the standard party process for replacing a nominee who withdraws before a general election. The Democratic Party in Maine has indicated it will not finalize replacement procedures until Platner’s withdrawal is official. All statements from involved parties have been attributed directly in public records and contemporaneous reporting.