### Cyberattack Targets Conservative Policy Group Linked to Trump

A political organization involved in planning for Donald Trump's potential return to the presidency has fallen victim to a cyberattack, which federal authorities believe was orchestrated by Chinese hackers. This breach reportedly targeted the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a conservative think tank known for drafting policy proposals and job recommendations for a possible second Trump administration.

Confidential sources revealed that hackers gained access to the online accounts of AFPI, an organization founded by former top officials from the Trump administration. Linda McMahon, chair of AFPI's board and a central figure in the transition planning, and Brooke Rollins, AFPI's president and a former senior official in the Trump White House, are leading these efforts.

Marc Lotter, a spokesperson for AFPI, stated, "As the leading policy group of the America First movement, it is not surprising that hostile foreign actors would attempt to infiltrate our IT. The tactics, techniques, and procedures of the threat actor are similar to that of nation-state-sponsored activities we have seen, allowing us to remediate and respond quickly." He emphasized the group's commitment to robust security measures, noting the involvement of top cyber experts to enhance their defenses further.

Politico initially reported the news of the cyberattack on Friday, although the suspected Chinese involvement was not disclosed at that time.

Trump has integrated AFPI prominently into his potential presidential transition plans, in part to maintain some distance from the Heritage Foundation. The foundation, also populated with former Trump administration members, is responsible for Project 2025, a right-wing initiative that has become a focal point of Vice President Kamala Harris's campaign critique.

AFPI has more than a dozen former Trump administration advisers amongst its ranks, and Trump has participated in several of the organization's events. The Trump campaign has previously faced cyberattacks from Iran, which managed to infiltrate the campaign's email accounts and attempt to publicize some campaign documents, as detailed in a recent federal indictment.

Meanwhile, significant political developments loom on the horizon. Key takeaways from the vice-presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz are under review, and swing-state voters have provided their real-time reactions. As the election heats up, The Washington Post has assembled detailed comparisons of Harris's and Trump's policy positions on issues like abortion, economic policy, and immigration. Additionally, current polling in seven battleground states has been analyzed to identify potential paths to victory. With the Senate control in the balance, Senate Democrats face the risk of losing their narrow 51-49 majority, making the outcomes of nine crucial races and three long-shot contests particularly critical.