The call for a government shutdown and Trump's aggressive tactics suggest an even more contentious political environment leading into the midterms.

Political commentator Ezra Klein argues that Democrats should shut down the government on Oct. 1 to "get everyone's attention and make their case boldly and clearly" about Trump's "illegal acts." List of Alleged Misdeeds: Klein provides a "short list of things Trump has done that would drive his supporters stark-raving mad if Barack Obama or Joe Biden had done them,"

A discharge petition to release the Epstein files is close to passing, with all Democrats and a few Republicans supporting it. This issue is "impossible for Trump to extinguish" and creates "terrible PR for the Republicans" who oppose transparency.

"Lobbying" the Court: Trump is attempting to "blackmail the Supreme Court ...