Statehood for DC & Puerto Rico? Full-Blown Political Brawl on Gerrymandering & U.S. Takes Aim at Cuban Strongman Week In Review

The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson · May 23, 2026 · 29m

1. D.C. and Puerto Rico Statehood The U.S. Constitution intentionally established Washington, D.C. as a non-state federal district to avoid favoritism. Calls for D.C. statehood are framed as a partisan power grab to gain Democratic seats in Congress. Puerto Rico is described as: A more complex case, with internal disagreement among residents (statehood, independence, or commonwealth status). Assumed—by Democrats, according to the speaker—to lean Democratic politically. Democrats prioritize gaining and maintaining power over policy substance. Election systems and rules (e.g…