“In essence, we are jujitsuing the Iranians. We are using their own oil against them.”
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, explaining the Trump administration’s war strategy to Fox News.
Josh Shapiro Leans Into His Support of Israel
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) “is leaning into his support for Israel as the war in Iran escalates and as speculation about a potential 2028 presidential run grows,” The Hill reports.
“Shapiro is betting that there’s still room in his party for a more nuanced approach and that Democratic voters — as the governor runs for reelection this year and tests the waters for a potential White House bid — have an appetite for a measured leader with a centrist view on Israel.”
Kevin Stitt to Appoint Oil Executive to Senate Vacancy
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) has chosen Alan Armstrong, an oil and gas executive, to finish out the remainder of Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s term, NOTUS reports.
The two men are expected to meet with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday to iron out the details of the appointment.
Bonus Quote of the Day
“Now with the death of Iran, the greatest enemy America has is the Radical Left, Highly Incompetent, Democrat Party!”
— President Trump, on Truth Social.
Trump-Xi Summit On Hold Until War Ends
Politico: “The Trump administration is telling foreign officials and others that it will not reschedule a summit between the president and Chinese leader Xi Jinping until the Iran war ends.”
Iran Fires Long-Range Missiles for the First Time
“Israeli officials said on Saturday that Iranian forces had for the first time fired long‑range missiles, expanding the risk of attacks beyond the Middle East, even as an Iranian strike injured dozens of people not far from Israel’s nuclear site,” Reuters reports.
Wall Street Journal: “European countries have long worried that Iran might upgrade its existing missile arsenal to increase its range and target them. The launches make that hypothetical threat real.”
Quote of the Day
“Sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate.”
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, talking about the Iran War on Meet the Press.
The Voter Fraud Fraud
Sen. Angus King: “The accusation that there is rampant cheating in our election is dramatic, alarming, and oft-repeated. It is also totally false.”
“After years of audits, recounts, lawsuits, academic studies, and investigations across red states and blue states alike, there is absolutely no evidence—zero—that substantial, outcome-changing voter fraud is present in American elections. There simply isn’t proof.”
“It turns out that the real fraud is not at the ballot box; it’s claims like the one the president made as he addressed a joint session of Congress.”
Affordability Remains the Top Issue for Voters
Politico: “With the midterms rapidly approaching, new results from the Politico Poll show the economy and the cost of living remain top of mind for voters among Trump’s 2024 coalition — with many saying it’s worse than it’s ever been and that the government could be doing more to help.”
“The affordability issue remains a key vulnerability for Trump — even within his own coalition. But there’s also been only modest, if any, change in Trump voters’ concerns about the president’s handling of the cost of living.”
“The takeaway: The percentage of voters who count affordability as a major issue is roughly the same since November. That means the problem has persisted even while the U.S. military engages in a war in the Middle East — one that could further exacerbate the impact of high costs and vulnerability for Trump and Republicans among their supporters.”
Americans Hold Conflicting Views on the Iran War
A new CBS News poll shows majorities of Americans think it’s important for the U.S. to end the war as soon as possible (92 percent), guarantee the freedom of Iranians (80 percent), end Iran’s nuclear programs for good (73 percent) and end the war without Iran’s current leaders in power (53 percent).
Americans overall think that the war is going badly — and, by a 2-to-1 margin, they’re not willing to pay more for gas.
Cuba Says Its Military Is Prepared
“A senior Cuban official said the country is preparing for a possible military assault as President Donald Trump increases economic pressure on the government in Havana and suggests it could be the next US target after Venezuela and Iran,” Bloomberg reports.
ICE Agents to Be Deployed to U.S. Airports
Border Czar Tom Homan said that ICE agents will deploy to airports on Monday to help ease security lines amid the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, CNBC reports.
Mike Johnson Faces Possible Attendance Problems
“Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is grappling with an attendance issue as lawmakers begin to prioritize the 2026 midterms, potentially complicating the passage of key measures in the months ahead,” The Hill reports.
“The predicament was on full display this week: 22 Republicans did not vote for any bills on Tuesday, followed by seven on Wednesday and five on Thursday. By comparison, 21 Democrats did not vote for any bills on Tuesday, followed by six on Wednesday and nine on Thursday.”
Andy Beshear Delivers a Scathing Attack on JD Vance
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear excoriated Vice President JD Vance as the “most arrogant politician I have ever seen,” escalating a yearslong rivalry between two potential 2028 presidential candidates who claim Appalachian roots, the New York Times reports.
Supreme Court Could Make It Harder to Vote by Mail
New York Times: “A case about mail voting that will be the subject of oral arguments before the Supreme Court Monday in some ways boils down to a simple question. What is the definition of Election Day?”
“But the potential political consequences of the case, which was brought by allies of President Trump who want to bar states from counting mailed ballots that arrive after Election Day, are far more tangible.”
Trump Endorses Viktor Orbán in Hungary
President Trump reiterated his “complete and total endorsement” of Viktor Orbán in the Hungarian elections, Politico reports.
Trump praised Hungary’s “strong borders” and said the country will continue to “work very hard on immigration,” and said Europe has to “work very hard” to solve “a lot of problems” around immigration.
Italians Uncertain Ahead of Referendum
“For more than three years, Giorgia Meloni, the first female prime minister of Italy, has led one of the nation’s most stable governments, keeping her coalition intact for longer than all but two of her postwar predecessors,” the New York Times reports.
“Yet this week, she faces a rare threat to her authority in the form of a tightly fought referendum being held on Sunday and Monday that polls suggest Ms. Meloni may struggle to win. The prime minister is seeking support for proposed changes to Italy’s Constitution that are so complicated, hardly anyone completely understands them.”
“Instead, voters may end up treating the polls as a referendum on the prime minister herself.”
France Is Voting for Thousands of New Mayors
“France’s municipal elections, which began last week and end on Sunday, are being scrutinized for what they may presage for the country’s presidential elections next year,” the New York Times reports.
“Among the big questions is whether France is on the cusp of a populist, far-right wave like those that swept Argentina, Italy and the United States in recent years. The answer, pending a second round of votes, is a definite maybe.”
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