Playbook: “Those embroiled in scandal (Kristi Noem, Lori Chavez-DeRemer), or distrusted by Trump’s base (Pam Bondi), have been first out the door…”

“This may not bode well for Patel, who has issues on both these fronts. His reputation in MAGA world hasn’t recovered from his role in the initial handling of the Epstein files, while the list of colorful stories (and videos!) about his approach to the job of FBI chief gets longer every month.”

“For his part, Patel insists it’s all media smears, and yesterday’s $250 million defamation suit against The Atlantic showed just how hard he’ll push back. And of course, the White House did tell The Atlantic that he’s doing a great job.”

“Worth remembering: Trump voiced support for both Noem and Bondi back in February, and for Chavez-DeRemer two weeks ago.”

Wall Street Journal: “An investigation into whether government officials engaged in a conspiracy to undermine President Trump is advancing under newly installed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.”

“The probe is looking at whether intelligence and law-enforcement officials who investigated Trump committed crimes. While it has largely been unfolding in the Southern District of Florida, it has now widened to include events that took place in Washington, D.C.”

Daniel Dale: “Even Trump’s most basic claims about the Iran war can’t be trusted.”

President Trump told CNBC that he will gratefully “remember” U.S. companies that do not seek refunds for the tariffs he unilaterally imposed, which the Supreme Court later ruled were illegal.

“I’m not sure why after ten years of covering this president, the American media still cannot understand, when President Trump says he’s gonna do something, he’s going to do it.”

— White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, on Fox News.

A new American Research Group poll finds just 32% of Americans say they approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president and 63% say they disapprove.

Wall Street Journal: “There is always some degree of churn in a White House’s cabinet, but losing three secretaries in such a tight span is somewhat remarkable. As Trump remains under stress related to the uncertain outcome of the Iran war, there are other leaders who are under enormous pressure.”

“Energy Secretary Chris Wright, for example, drew a rare rebuke from Trump on Monday when Wright’s recent comments about gas prices startled many in Washington…”

“Another one to watch is Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.”

A new Strength In Numbers/Verasight poll finds just 35% of U.S. adults approving of President Trump’s job performance, with 61% disapproving — a net approval rating of -26.

“This deterioration has been driven largely by his handling of the economy and prices. Trump’s net approval on prices and inflation has fallen to -46 — the worst rating on any single issue in the history of our poll, and a stunning 6-point drop from March’s already record-low -40.”

Wall Street Journal: “Before the U.S. went to war, Trump told his team that Iran’s government would likely capitulate before closing the strait, and that even if Tehran tried, the U.S. military could handle it…”

“Trump has since marveled at the ease with which the strait was closed. A guy with a drone can shut it down, Trump has said to people, expressing belated irritation that the key waterway was so vulnerable.”

“Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned on Monday,” NOTUS reports.

“Her tenure has been plagued by multiple scandals and an investigation that the secretary was engaged in an extramarital affair with a member of her security team and accusations of inappropriate behavior, like drinking on the job.”

Wall Street Journal: Labor secretary resigns after tumultuous tenure.

That’s the third Cabinet secretary to leave in just over a month.

Zach Helfand: “The Education Secretary ran the W.W.E. for years with her husband, Vince, an unstable man who, like her new boss, has a genius for inflaming the crowd.”

FBI Director Kash Patel was interviewed on Fox News by Maria Bartiromo:

BARTIROMO: Do you have anything to tell us about the 2020 election being rigged against President Trump?

PATEL: Absolutely. I’m never going to let this go. They tried to rig the entire system. That’s something I’m not going to allow. We are going to be making arrests. I promise you it’s coming soon.

“Since President Donald Trump tapped Todd Blanche, his former defense attorney, to temporarily lead the Justice Department this month, the message from those familiar with the president’s thinking has remained consistent: A permanent shot at the job of attorney general is Blanche’s to lose,” the Washington Post reports.

“But that hasn’t stopped a frenzied competition to push other candidates for what has become one of the most important Cabinet-level posts in the president’s plans for his second term. And the uncertainty around top leadership roles has prompted concern from some in a department already struggling with claims of politicization and the abandonment of long-held norms over the lengths to which Trump’s next pick may go to impress him.”

The Washington Post finds that President Trump has brought the proposed White House ballroom up publicly on about one-third of the days in 2026 so far — roughly equivalent to how often he’s mentioned affordability.

Wall Street Journal: “He is veering between belligerent and conciliatory approaches and grappling behind the scenes with just how badly things could go wrong.”

“At the same time, the president sometimes loses focus, spending time on the details of his plans for the White House ballroom or on midterm fundraisers—and telling advisers he wants to shift to other topics…”

“Still, he has made risky pronouncements without input from his national security team—including his post about plans to destroy the Iranian civilization—saying seeming unstable could help spur the Iranians to negotiate.”

“At one point he even mused he should award himself the nation’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor.”

“President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has sunk to a new low as Americans express growing concerns about rising costs and the war with Iran,” according to an NBC News Decision Desk Poll.

“Overall, 37% of adults approve of Trump’s performance as president, while 63% disapprove — including 50% who said they disapprove strongly — putting his job rating at the lowest point of his second term… Two-thirds of respondents also disapproved of Trump’s handling of inflation and the Iran conflict.”