Top Democrats emphasized party unity and railed against President Trump's policies on the first day of the Democratic National Committee's annual summer meeting in Minneapolis Monday.

Minneapolis

Democratic leaders convened at the Democratic National Committee meeting in Minneapolis to discuss the party's direction after losing control of the House, Senate, and presidency in the previous election cycle. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and DNC Chair Ken Martin both highlighted the importance of party unity and the need to counter former President Trump's policies, with Martin stating that Democrats can no longer be the only party that plays by the rules.

The meeting also addressed challenges facing the party, including a significant financial gap with the Republican National Committee. Recent Federal Election Committee data shows the DNC is trailing by over $70 million in available funds, with donor hesitation attributed to unclear messaging and strategy. Party officials called for greater resolve and a clearer approach ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

DNC chair says Democrats can't be only party that plays by the rules

Top Democrats emphasize party unity on the first day of the Democratic National Committee meeting in Minneapolis today. This comes amid questions about the party's overall direction. It has struggled to regain momentum after losing the House, the Senate, and the presidency during the 2024 election, and now they find themselves gearing up for the 2026 midterms. Today, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who ran as then-Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate, of course, said the Democratic Party was united against President Trump's policies. Each and every one of us are unified around the idea that this cruelty must end, this slow-rolling attempt at undermining democracy. And I always get in trouble for it, and I'll continue to say it. I don't think we do any favors and we don't name it. These are fascist policies meant to take away our people. That is what they are. And CBS News correspondent Nidhi Kavasis joins us now from Minneapolis. Nidhi, thanks so much for being with us. Some big names out there. Who all spoke during those DNC meetings today, and what were your biggest takeaways? Nancy, as the Democratic Party kicked off its summer meetings today, we also heard from the person who is essentially tasked with moving the party forward, and that's National Party Chair Ken Martin. Martin gave remarks earlier today, and he certainly had a lot to say about President Trump, at one point calling him the dictator in chief, but also said that the Democrats can no longer be part of the only party that actually plays by the rules. Now let's take a listen to what he had to say. We are all unified towards one single goal, to stop Donald Trump and put this country back on track. Yes, yes, we have differences of opinion. Yes, we're a Big Ten party. Yes, we don't agree on everything, but that's a beauty of this Democratic party. We are still unified despite our differences. Now, Martin also urged party members and party officials to fight back and take a stance against the Trump administration, but he also pointed to the latest redistricting efforts, for example, with California as a way in which the party has fought, but he's asking for more of this. Yeah, there is a lot of enthusiasm there, but still a lot of problems, too. The latest numbers from the Federal Election Committee are showing this major gap between how much cash on hand the DNC has compared to their Republican counterparts. Can you talk about how big that gap is, and how does that affect the DNC's ability to execute all of its plans? That's exactly right, Nancy. It seems that the Democratic party isn't only struggling with identity, what it's messaging, but also financially. With this latest report, we know that the DNC has a significant gap here, a disadvantage of over $70 million compared to the Republican National Committee, and this is also driven by the fact that some of the donors are also reluctant to sign off checks. They're going to be hesitant, especially when they're signing off and giving money to a party that hasn't necessarily been able to center around the key message and hasn't been able to develop and communicate a clear strategy moving forward. All right, Nadia Cavazos, thank you so much for being with us.

Strikes on the Nasser hospital in Gaza that left at least 20 people dead, including rescuers, journalists and health-care workers are being met with global outrage. The Israeli military is investigating what Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netnayahu called a ‘tragic mishap.’

Middle East Conflict

Israeli PM calls deadly strikes on Gaza hospital a ‘tragic mishap’

Kilmar Abrego Garcia is back in ICE custody and is facing deportation to Uganda, the Department of Homeland Security says, after he was released from criminal custody last week.

Baltimore

Abrego Garcia in ICE custody, court blocks immediate deportation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he will meet with the U.S. and other countries this week to discuss a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at reaching a ceasefire.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskiy say he will meet with U.S., others on potential Putin talks

U.S. President Donald Trump says Chicago could be the next city to see National Guard deployment, sparking strong opposition from Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, who argue crime is already falling and federal intervention is unnecessary.

Chicago

Trump threatens to send National Guard troops to Chicago

Four journalists working with Reuters, Al Jazeera and others were killed in explosions at a Gaza hospital. Gaza officials blame Israeli drone strikes, though CBS News has not independently verified the claims.

Jerusalem

Four journalists reported dead after Gaza hospital blasts

U.S. National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington D.C. as part of what President Donald Trump said was his crackdown on crime began carrying weapons on Sunday night, two officials said.

Washington

National Guard patrolling Washington DC begin carrying weapons

In a visit to Kyiv, Prime Minister Mark Carney affirmed Canada’s support for Ukraine and committed to sending soldiers if a ceasefire with Russia is reached.

Carney in Kyiv pledges support, possibly troops for Ukraine

The Pickett Fire is growing in California's Napa County, prompting new evacuations as it threatens homes and wineries. The flames, fueled by scorching temperatures and dry conditions, are being battled by hundreds of first responders.

Napa Valley

Evacuations ordered in California as heatwave fuels wildfire

Democrats are pushing back against President Trump's plan to send the National Guard to more cities, including Chicago, New York and Baltimore, as troops continue to patrol Washington, D.C. State and local leaders say they have crime under control.

Democrats slam Trump's plans to send National Guard to more cities

Beef prices are at record highs with the average price of a pound of ground beef topping $6. Lisa Rozner reports on what's causing prices to soar.

Why U.S beef prices are soaring

A defiant Ukraine marked its independence from the former Soviet Union Sunday amid more fighting with Russia. Chris Livesay reports on how world leaders joined in, voicing their support.

Ukraine marks its Independence Day as war with Russia continues

The boats are produced by unknown Turkish companies and are then sent disassembled in multiple shipments to avoid suspicion in what authorities say is for the sole purpose of trafficking migrants across the English Channel.

Sofia

Inflatable boats used for migrant trafficking seized

Less than 24 hours after he was released from jail, Kilmar Ábrego García was told that U.S. immigration officials plan to deport him to Uganda. The Salvadoran national, who has been living illegally in the U.S. since about 2011, was wrongly deported to his home country earlier this year.

Maryland

Kilmar Abrego Garcia told he may be sent to Uganda

Erik and Lyle Menendez remain behind bars, their hopes for release dashed by two separate parole boards more than three decades after murdering their parents. Elise Preston reports.

Los Angeles

Erik and Lyle Menendez denied parole

Tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, costing the city billions. That could signal trouble ahead for the U.S. economy. Andres Gutierrez has new details.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas tourism slumps this summer, signaling trouble for U.S. economy

Texas Republicans took a victory lap after an early morning vote Saturday that sought to give their party an edge during the 2026 midterms. Democrats in Texas plan to challenge the legality of the new congressional map, saying it dilutes the power of minorities.

Austin

Texas Republicans take victory lap after redistricting vote

Israel has called the United Nations' declaration of famine in parts of Gaza an "outright lie," but multiple U.N. bodies, more than 100 humanitarian groups, and several of Israel's own allies have warned for months that the war is causing starvation among civilians.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israel denies U.N.'s declaration of famine in parts of Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump says he will impose sanctions on Russia if it fails to reach a peace deal in Ukraine within two weeks. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia’s ongoing attacks on his country show that President Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace.

Putin’s not interested in peace talks, Zelenskyy says

Lyle Menendez was denied parole late Friday night following a day-long hearing in California, just one day after his brother Erik's parole appeal was also rejected. The brothers have been in prison since 1996 for killing their parents in what they say was an act of self-defense.

Both Menendez brothers denied parole

At least five people are dead and dozens are injured after a tour bus traveling from Niagara Falls flipped over on the New York State Thruway near Pembroke, New York.

Pembroke

Western New York bus crash kills at least five people

Federal agents searched former Trump adviser-turned-critic John Bolton's home on Friday morning. President Donald Trump denied knowing about the investigation, which is related to his handling of classified documents.

Bethesda

FBI raids former Trump adviser John Bolton's home, office

The FBI searched former national security adviser John Bolton's house in Bethesda, Maryland, early Friday morning, the bureau confirmed to CBS News.

FBI raids former Trump adviser John Bolton's home, D.C. office

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland construction worker deported to El Salvador and then returned to the U.S. on smuggling charges, has been released from prison in Tennessee, his attorneys say.

Nashville

Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from jail in Tennessee

A bus with more than 50 people on board rolled over in New York and several deaths are being reported, officials confirm. CBS News' Jericka Duncan reports.

Tour bus crash in New York causes 'several fatalities'

Attorneys general in 14 states and Washington, D.C., accuse TikTok of designing its app to keep users hooked. Court-released edited video shows some company staff discussing the toll it can take on children and teens.

TikTok faces lawsuits over mental health risks

A parole board rejected Erik Menendez's request for release, saying he has not shown proper remorse for killing his parents 36 years ago. His brother, Lyle Menendez, faces his own hearing today (August 22).

Erik Menendez denied parole after California hearing

Russia carried out one of its largest aerial attacks of the year on Ukraine. The strikes killed at least one person and injured 15, marking Russia’s third-largest drone attack and eighth-largest missile assault this year.

Breakdown