The Memo: Frustrated Trump struggles against perception that he’s losing control of Iran war
A tide of political danger is rising around President Trump as criticism grows that he may be losing control of the war in Iran. The conflict that he started almost three weeks ago, in conjunction with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was a war of choice. But even a weakened regime in Tehran still has…
Watch live: Trump hosts White House dinner with Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi
President Trump will host Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for a White House dinner Thursday evening. The event comes after the world leaders held a bilateral meeting in the afternoon, when Trump ribbed Japan over its bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. The president endorsed Takaichi, a staunch conservative, ahead of last month’s election. Japan’s…
Democrats seek information on Jared Kushner’s potential ‘conflicts of interest’ in Middle East
Two top-ranking Democrats are seeking more information regarding Jared Kushner’s business dealings in the Middle East following reports that he has been attempting to shore up billions of dollars for his private equity firm while also helping lead negotiations with governments in the region. Rep. Robert Garcia (R-Calif.) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote in…
Obama’s former DHS secretary calls to end shutdown, pointing to Iran threat
A former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary urged Congress on Thursday to reverse a shutdown at the department that has lasted for more than a month. Jeh Johnson, who served in the Obama administration, called on legislators on both sides of the aisle to pass the necessary funding package to reopen the DHS during…
Russia says Ukraine peace talks in ‘situational pause’ amid Iran war
The Kremlin said Thursday peace talks with the Trump administration to end the Russia-Ukraine war are on a “situational pause” amid the war in Iran. “This is a situational pause, for obvious reasons,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Thursday in reference to the Ukraine talks, according to Reuters. Peskov’s Thursday comments regarding the state…
Massie ad labels challenger ‘Trump traitor’
A new ad from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) slams his GOP primary opponent, Ed Gallrein, whom President Trump has endorsed. The ad, shared Thursday by Inside Elections journalist Jacob Rubashkin on the social platform X, opens with a photo of Massie and the president smiling and flashing thumbs-ups. It then goes on to accuse Gallrein…
Frost: Mullin accepting DHS nomination ‘shows us who he is’
Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) weighed in on President Trump’s decision to tap Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), claiming the senator’s acceptance of the nomination, “shows us who he is.” “Him accepting, right, this nomination, and sitting there and wanting to be in the Cabinet, already shows us who…
Judge dismisses Trump administration lawsuit over California egg prices
A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit brought by the Trump administration against California last summer over the cost of eggs. U.S. District Judge Marc C. Scarsi, a Trump appointee, found that the federal government lacked standing to challenge California laws and regulations governing the production, sale and shipment of eggs. Scarsi did not…
Thune, Tim Scott backing Hern for Mullin’s Senate seat
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) on Thursday endorsed Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) in the race to succeed outgoing Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R). In a release by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which Scott chairs, Thune called Hern “a proven conservative leader and fighter for Oklahomans” in the House….
Dems in disarray: James Talarico goes vegan in Texas? Squad loses big in Illinois.
Bad news for progressive Democrats all over the country.
Watch live: Mike Lee gives remarks on SAVE America Act as Senate weighs election reform bill
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) will give remarks Thursday afternoon on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, referred to as the SAVE America Act, as the Senate weighs the sweeping election reform bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote among other measures. Lee earlier this week suggested that his GOP colleagues who…
FDA approves higher dose of Wegovy
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday approved a higher dose of the Wegovy weight loss drug. The manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, increased the semaglutide injection by 4.8 mg to total 7.2 mg. The company says the higher dosage is recommended for those who taken the lower dose already for at least four weeks. Novo…
Read more
GOP Senate candidate on rising gas prices: ‘Maybe you take one less trip to Starbucks’
A Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Minnesota suggested that Americans should cut back on daily costs amid the economic strain caused by the U.S. military operation in Iran. Former NFL reporter Michele Tafoya acknowledged how “frustrating” and “hard” rising gas prices are for consumers during a Wednesday radio interview, but she suggested Americans should…
Ex-Trump aide: ‘Little strange’ that Democrats regard Kent as ‘beacon of truth’ after opposing nomination
Former Trump aide Bill Stepien said Wednesday it was a “little strange” that some Democrats are lauding former top intelligence official Joe Kent as a “beacon of truth” after strongly opposing his nomination to become the director of the National Counterterrorism Center. Kent resigned from the role Tuesday. In a post announcing his exit, he alleged President Trump was pressured into attacking…
Trump administration to display statue of slave owner removed in Delaware
The Trump administration will temporarily display a statue taken down in Delaware years ago of a slave owner who signed the Declaration of Independence as part of the celebrations commemorating the U.S.’s 250th birthday, according to multiple reports. The statue of Caesar Rodney, a member of the Continental Congress, on horseback was taken down in…
Warren calls on Federal Reserve nominee to explain Epstein links
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, asked President Trump’s nominee to serve as Federal Reserve chair, Kevin Warsh, to clarify his links to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In a Wednesday letter to Warsh, Warren referenced two emails released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in which the…
Jeffries says Democrats will oppose rule governing spy powers bill
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Thursday that Democrats are lining up en masse against helping Republicans advance legislation to a final vote to extend the government’s warrantless surveillance powers. Jeffries acknowledged that the vote on the bill itself will divide Democrats, and he declined to say how he will vote himself. “But what…
Jeffries says Dems will soon push another resolution to end war in Iran
House Democrats will soon launch another effort to end President Trump’s war with Iran, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) announced on Thursday. “What we’re focused on now is stopping this reckless war of choice,” Jeffries told reporters in the Capitol. Democrats have already brought one war powers resolution to the floor this month. Sponsored…
Trump not losing voters over Iran war: Karl Rove
Republican strategist Karl Rove on Wednesday argued President Trump will not lose any voters over the war against Iran. “Much of the criticism of Operation Epic Fury comes from the likes of the Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, the Israel-obsessed podcasters Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, and the conspiracist Candace Owens. Do voters who identify themselves…
Japan, Europeans signal ‘readiness to contribute’ to efforts to keep Strait of Hormuz open
The leaders of Japan and several European nations condemned recent Iranian attacks in the Persian Gulf states and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil trading channel. “We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait,” the leaders wrote in a Thursday letter. “We…
Hegseth says Iran was getting ‘closer and closer’ to nuclear capabilities, contradicting Gabbard
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that President Trump could not tolerate Iran moving “closer and closer” to obtaining nuclear capabilities in choosing to begin his war with Tehran — the day after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified that such capabilities had been “obliterated” in U.S. airstrikes last year. “What President Trump would not tolerate…
Bessent says US may lift sanctions on Iranian oil stuck at sea
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said early Thursday that the U.S. may lift sanctions on Iranian oil that is already in transit amid rising energy prices resulting from the ongoing U.S. military operation in the Middle East. Bessent told Fox News’s Maria Bartiromo that about 140 million barrels of oil would be freed up by this…
US debt surpasses $39 trillion, adding $1 trillion in 5 months
The U.S. national debt crossed a new milestone Wednesday, surpassing $39 trillion, a record reached five months after the debt sailed past the $38 trillion mark. The record-breaking amount was revealed in a daily statement from the Treasury Department. It comes amid the weeks-long U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which will add to the toll. Michael…
Pritzker knocks AIPAC after pro-Israel group spent big in Illinois races
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) on Wednesday criticized the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for spending millions in various Democratic primaries in the state. AIPAC and affiliated shell committees reportedly spent more than $21 million in multiple Democratic races in the Prairie State, with mixed results. During an interview with The Associated Press (AP),…
Watch live: Q&A with The Hill’s Editors
Join The Hill Editor-in-Chief Ian Swanson, Congressional Editor Regina Zilbermints, White House Editor Rema Rahman, and Defense and Foreign Policy Editor Colin Meyn for an in-depth discussion on news of the day followed by a Q&A. Will the SAVE America Act become law? Will Congress consider an Iran supplemental spending bill? And when will Congress…
Read more