It’s Monday. The humidity feels quite intense today. 🥵 If you’re in the Washington area, keep in mind that Metrorail has some new changes. 🗺 Check out the updated metro map.
In today’s update:
- Trump meets with national security staff
- Russia backs Iran, while China gains an advantage over the US
- New US security alerts have been issued
- Discussion around Trump’s decision to strike Iran
- Concerns about potential retaliation against US military forces
- The phrase “big and beautiful invoice” is deemed inappropriate
Latest on Iran
If “2 weeks” actually means 2 days:
President Trump is convening with his national security team following significant steps to engage the US in the Israeli-Iran conflict.
Current situation:
Potential US military retaliation: There are fears that Iran may retaliate, targeting any of the approximately 40,000 US military personnel stationed in the Middle East.
American citizens are cautious: Multiple alerts have been issued by the US since weekend strikes against Iranian nuclear locations.
- For Americans traveling abroad: The State Department has issued advisories urging caution to Americans overseas.
- In Qatar: The US Embassy has advised American citizens there to evacuate, and Qatar has temporarily closed its airspace.
- Terrorism Advisory: The Department of Homeland Security warns of potential cyber attacks.
- Concerns about sleeper cells: Customs and border security maintain the threat level is not unprecedented.
- In major cities: Security measures have been heightened across the US following Iran’s actions.
Russia’s stance: A Russian spokesperson indicated support for Iran, while Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, is in Moscow today for talks with President Vladimir Putin.
Economic retaliation from Iran: Reports suggest Iranian lawmakers have approved measures to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route for oil. Such a move could disrupt the global economy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on China to intervene to prevent Iran from blocking this pathway.
🗨🗨️ Stay tuned with our live updates
➤ Two pressing questions:
1 – Did the strikes neutralize Iran’s nuclear program? The Trump administration seems confident that the bombing mission against Iran’s nuclear sites was effective, with Trump asserting he “eliminated” their nuclear capabilities.
2 – Is there a US agenda for regime change? While Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio, and Secretary Pete Hegseth insisted the goal wasn’t to instigate a regime change in Iran, Trump has left that door slightly ajar, hinting at the possibility.
➤ Upcoming on Tuesday: Trump is set to travel to the Netherlands for the NATO summit.
➤ Swift changes in strategy: Trump had previously stated it would take up to two weeks to determine a course of action against Iran, yet just two days later, bombings occurred at three Iranian nuclear locations. 📸Satellite imagery from the strikes
What shifted?: Reports indicate it may have been calculated “political and military misdirection” from the White House, suggesting that Trump’s decision was not hastily made while military preparations were underway in response to complex threats.
In addition: Members of the administration sought to navigate the discussions around war and diplomacy.
Explore further:“Shifts in perspective and misdirection: how Trump opted to engage Iran.”
➤ Additional insights:
Washington Post: Weakening Iran may provoke retaliatory terrorism.
Wall Street Journal: Trump’s Iran actions renew debates about war powers.
NPR: Iran’s ties with Russia and China could shift following US strikes.
The Atlantic: Intelligence remained steady; Trump’s choice to strike was opportunistic, divorced from any new intel.
Updates from Capitol Hill
Ongoing legislative discussions:
Senator Elizabeth MacDonough has further settled various stipulations in a “big and beautiful” Republican bill.
⭕ Emptying White House officials: Proposed language would make it challenging for courts to enforce vacating officials from the Trump administration. This could empower them to bypass court rulings due to a lack of straightforward enforcement mechanisms.
^Notable statistic: The courts have clarified Trump administration directives at least 197 times since January.*NYT Accountability Tracker
^^For context: This provision sparked controversy in a recently passed House bill that many didn’t initially notice. Some Republicans later voted in favor of it but later regretted their decision publicly.Their regrets.
⭕ Border security and immigration enforcement: In contrast, MacDonough denied language allowing states to manage border and immigration enforcement independently.
⭕ Increasing retirement contributions: The GOP’s language suggesting increases to contributions for federal employees has also been dismissed by MacDonough.
🟩 However, a 10-year prohibition on states regulating artificial intelligence (AI) remains intact.
Key notes: MacDonough’s role is nonpartisan, and her decisions do not dictate what bills lawmakers can pass. She is evaluating the legislation for compliance with statutory regulations that could allow it to pass with a simple majority rather than the typical supermajority.
MacDonough declared these provisions as violations of Bird Rules. If Republicans want to include them, they will require 60 votes.
➤ What to expect on Capitol Hill this week:
Michael Schnell offers a detailed overview of the week’s happenings in Congress. Read: “Congress returns as discussions around the budget and Iran intensify.”
Stay tuned tomorrow: The latest newsletter, The Movement, will include insights from Schnell and significant impacts on the GOP’s agenda. Sign up to get it in your inbox.
Supreme Court updates:
The Supreme Court prepares for future sessions:
The court has agreed to examine a case regarding whether former inmates in Louisiana should receive compensation for damages incurred while imprisoned. However, they declined to review complaints related to a lifetime voting ban on felons in Virginia.
Upcoming events:
Congress remains active. President Trump is in Washington. (All Times EST)
1pm: Trump meets with national security personnel.
5:30pm: The Senate will vote to conclude discussions on a nomination. 📆Today’s Agenda
6:30pm: Initial and final house votes. 📆Today’s Agenda
Tuesday: New York City holds its Democratic mayoral primary election. 🔎What’s the latest?
Thursday: The Supreme Court is set to release additional opinions.📆Upcoming Schedule
Internet topics:
🍪Celebrate: Today is National Pecan Sandy’s Day.
WhatsApp is no longer accessible: Axios reports that the popular messaging platform has been banned on House staff devices due to security protocols.
And finally…
For dog owners and walkers in Boston’s Seaport, there’s a woman looking to connect with you. *Very good dogs, indeed.
