“Iranian attacks have knocked out 17% of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas export capacity, causing an estimated $20 billion in lost annual revenue and threatening supplies to Europe and Asia,” Reuters reports.
Markwayne Mullin’s Nomination Advances
“A key Senate committee voted 8-7 on Thursday to advance President Donald Trump’s nominee to be the next secretary of the Department of Homeland Security,” NBC News reports.
Trump Ramps Up Attacks on the News Media
“President Donald Trump and his allies are attacking news organizations for their coverage of the Iran war, a conflict the administration says is going well for the United States but is unpopular with the public and has plunged the Middle East into chaos,” Reuters reports.
“While Trump has for years disparaged news coverage he deems unfavorable, his recent comments mark an escalation of threats against the news media. Some press freedom advocates worry about a chilling effect on journalism during wartime, and point to freedoms of speech and the press enshrined in the Constitution.”
Off Ramp
Out this fall: Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt by Spencer Cox.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R) offers a practical guide to depolarization that teaches us how to disagree better at the dinner table, on social media, and in American politics.
Operatives with Trump Ties Raked in Millions
“Two companies with ties to veteran political operatives received at least $23 million in commissions for their role in the controversial Department of Homeland Security ad campaign that helped lead to Secretary Kristi Noem’s ouster,” Politico reports.
Has Trump United Europe?
Financial Times: “The rebuttal was swift, emphatic — and cathartic. One by one, Donald Trump’s European allies rejected the U.S. president’s demand to join his war in the Middle East. Leaders from Warsaw to Madrid, from Washington’s closest friends on the continent to the most Trump-sceptic, closed ranks to deliver the message: ‘This is not our war.'”
“This week’s collective refusal by Trump’s European partners of his demand to help him open the Strait of Hormuz by force — or risk a ‘bad’ future for the NATO alliance — was remarkable for its force and unanimity.”
$200 Oil Is No Longer a Crazy Idea
Oilprice.com: “A month ago, any analyst suggesting international oil prices could soar all the way to $200 per barrel would have been laughed out of the studio. Now, some are beginning to acknowledge that this is a real possibility, and with good reason.”
War Is Making Donald Trump Weaker
The Economist: “Never bet against Donald Trump. No politician can defy political gravity like the man whose supporters stormed the Capitol on January 6th 2021, only for him to be re-elected in 2024 with a bigger share of the vote. And yet it is hard to imagine a crisis more precisely engineered to intercept the trajectory of his presidency than his ill-judged, heedless war against Iran. Even a short war will alter the course of his second term. One that lasts months could bring it crashing to earth.”
“The reason is that the fight against Iran diminishes Mr Trump’s three political superpowers: his ability to impose his own reality on the world, his remorseless use of leverage and his dominion over the Republican Party. Even without Iran, the potency of these Trumpian strengths was likely to wane after the midterm elections. Wars accelerate change.”
Elizabeth Warren Backs Graham Platner
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) endorsed Graham Platner (D) in his U.S. Senate primary against Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D).
Quote of the Day
“We’re over here just grinding away on banger memes, dude. There’s an entertainment factor to what we do. But ultimately, it boils down to the fact that no one has ever attempted to communicate with the American public this way before.”
— A senior White House official, quoted by Politico, on producing TikTok-style videos to promote the Iran war.
A U.S. Citizen Now Runs Mexico’s Top Drug Cartel
“An American citizen now appears to be in charge of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartel, potentially complicating U.S. efforts to eradicate the narcotics trade here,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
“U.S. intelligence agencies may now face legal hurdles in directly targeting and collecting personal data on Valencia González because of his place of birth. That risks hindering a significant tactical partnership that has developed between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Washington that is making increasing use of information provided by U.S. military, law enforcement and intelligence agencies.”
Hegseth Blasts ‘Ungrateful’ European Allies
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth started a press briefing Thursday on the latest Operation Epic Fury news by blasting “ungrateful” European allies and “a dishonest” media, as the war enters Day 20, The Hill reports.
Iran Hangs Three Protesters
“Iran executed three men on Thursday who were accused of killing police officers during protests in January, with activists warning of the risk of a new surge in hangings as war rages with Israel and the United States,” AFP reports.
Trump Builds Buzz for UFC Fight on White House Lawn
The UFC fight President Trump is holding on the White House’s South Lawn on June 14 is — at least according to him — the “hottest ticket that I’ve ever seen,” Axios reports.
“Donors, lobbyists, members of Congress and well-connected fans are clamoring for tickets.”
“But in a Trumpian twist of marketing, the tickets’ elusiveness is building buzz for the event, which will be on the president’s birthday, and Flag Day, in the run-up to America’s 250th on July Fourth.”
California Lawmakers Ready to Rename Cesar Chavez Day
California lawmakers are considering renaming Cesar Chavez Day, a state holiday, in light of sexual assault allegations against the late labor leader, Politico reports.
Trump Hits New Low in Approval
Nate Silver notes Donald Trump has hit a new low in his job approval tracking.
Six Governor’s Races Shift Towards the Democrats
Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball: “We are making six gubernatorial race rating changes this week, all in favor of Democrats.”
“The most notable ones come in Arizona, Georgia, and Ohio, while the others are blue state governorships in Minnesota, New York, and Rhode Island moving to Safe Democratic.”
Danes Were Ready to Destroy Greenland’s Runways
When Danish soldiers were flown to Greenland in January, they brought explosives so that they could destroy the runways in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq to prevent U.S. military aircraft from landing soldiers on the island if President Trump chose to take it by force, DR reports.
France and Germany were also prepared to help defend Greenland.
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