Happy Thursday! It’s June, and while it might be a quiet day for federal holidays in Washington, the White House is buzzing with activity. Oh, and can you believe it? Today marks the end of spring! 🌷
In today’s update:
- Trump pushes back on Iran attack plans
- Israel promises to escalate actions following hospital strikes
- Congress anxious about the Middle Eastern situation
- TikTok’s ban deadline extended for the third time
- Thune looks for agreement on Medicaid disagreements
🌍 Iran’s Latest:
What are your thoughts?
President Trump is denying claims from a Wall Street Journal report that indicated plans for an attack on Iran.
“The Wall Street Journal has no idea what I think about Iran!” Trump wrote earlier today on Truth Social.
Main points from that report: It suggested that Trump had given preliminary approval for an attack plan against Iran but was hesitating to provide final confirmation in hopes of prompting Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
What do we really know? He seems to be shrouded in ambiguity, as Israel and Iran continue their exchanges of missile fire. “No one really knows what I’m attempting to achieve,” Trump told reporters yesterday.
Middle East Tensions: Israel has declared its intent to escalate its military response after launching strikes that damaged private hospitals in southern Israel Thursday. While injuries were reported, the damage was extensive. 📸 Check the hospital images
Additionally, Israel is now targeting “critical sites” connected to Iran’s nuclear efforts.
Israeli officials have ramped up their rhetoric against Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following threats from Trump regarding targeting him.
Upcoming Meetings: On Friday, Iranian officials are set to meet with foreign ministers from the UK, Germany, and France, along with EU diplomats.
The US Evacuations Begin: As reported by the Associated Press, the State Department is in the process of evacuating non-essential diplomats and their families from Israel.
This comes shortly after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced he wouldn’t be traveling to Israel anymore due to upcoming addresses.
Lawmakers’ Concerns: Senators from both parties are worried about the potential for Trump’s involvement in the Israeli-Iranian conflict. While support for Israel is strong, there’s a looming fear of escalating war in the region. Check out Al Weaver’s reporting for more details.
📱📱 This Morning’s News:
TikTok Gets Another 90 Days:
President Trump has extended the deadline for TikTok’s parent company to finalize a sale in order to avoid being banned in the US.
New Deadline: September 17th
Trump shared on Truth Social, “I’ve signed an executive order pushing TikTok’s closure deadline back by 90 days (now September 17, 2025). Thanks for paying attention to this!” 📸 Screenshots of the executive order
Note: This marks the third extension since Trump took office in January.
Capitol Hill Updates:
“Pretty Please” Stage in Negotiations:
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is actively trying to convince Republicans who are uneasy about proposed Medicaid cuts in the tax and spending bill.
Thune plans to present a version of the Senate’s “big, beautiful bill” next week, which is ambitious given the hurdles ahead.
Insights into Negotiations: Thune and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) are discussing Medicaid adjustments.
Concerns from GOP Holdouts: Some Republicans fear the cutbacks could be detrimental to states and low-income families, raising debates on job and eligibility standards.
Possible Outcomes: “Republican sources say they hope leaders can broker a deal that offers direct financial support to rural hospitals risking closure if the current bill passes.” Read more from Alexander Bolton for details.
Remember Also: The White House Chief of Staff Susie Wills was at a Republican lunch Wednesday, indicating that Trump aims to have the bill signed by July 4th.
Food Stamp Changes on the Horizon:
Legislation could soon remove exemptions from job requirements for food stamp recipients who are homeless or former foster youth.
Key Points: House Republicans maintained these exemptions, while Senate Republicans eliminated them in their version. Check for further reading.
A Wild Ride:
Media figure Tucker Carlson held an almost two-hour discussion with Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) focusing on US policy regarding Iran.
According to Dominique Masturbatorio from The Hill, there are some notable takeaways from their contentious conversation:
- Carlson challenged Cruz about AIPAC.
- Carlson doesn’t want Iran to negatively affect Trump.
- Cruz responded critically to Carlson’s views.
- Carlson pushed Cruz for an apology regarding Ukraine support.
- Cruz attempted to undermine Carlson’s position post-interview.
Side Note: In Cruz’s “Verification” podcast, he accused Carlson of becoming “radically isolationist” in his foreign policy perspective.
💻 Watch the full interview for context.
Lastly, a quick run-down of what’s happening today:
- Today: Former President Biden will take part in June celebrations (AP)
- 1 PM: White House Karoline Leavitt briefs reporters. 💻 Live stream
- 2:30 PM: Trump swears in Ireland’s new US ambassador.
- Monday: The Senate reconvenes. 📆 Monday Agenda
- June 24th-25th: NATO Summit. What to anticipate
Other Highlights:
Caution on Student Visas:
The State Department plans to resume processing student visas, but applicants will need to disclose their social media profiles for review.
They’ll be looking for “individuals who may pose a threat to national security.” This phrase echoes concerns regarding pro-Palestinian protests on campuses. Find out more.
🐝 Trending Topics:
🍸 Celebrate: It’s National Martini Day!
🧯 SpaceX’s Rocket Exploded: A SpaceX rocket blew up during a static fire test Wednesday, with footage surfacing. 📹 Watch here.
🫗 Cannabis Drinks: “The nation is quickly moving to restrict the sale of cannabis beverages that have surged in markets lacking regulations,” reported the Washington Post.
👋 Lastly…
For something light-hearted, check out these turtles patiently waiting their turn.
If you missed yesterday’s newsletter, catch up with a one-minute video. You can find more newsletters from The Hill here. See you tomorrow!
