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June 18, 2026
Strongman Trump's 'Forever Wars' All Come Back to Jeffrey Epstein
(Dadily Beast) This man who literally wraps himself in the flag and who, along with his aides, regularly touts their love of the military, views the entire massive U.S. defense apparatus as a prop, a personal plaything, an entity that exists not to defend the country, but rather to defend the president himself. Whatever the cost. Whatever the lasting damage done. It doesn’t matter as long as people do not find out any more of the dark truth about who Donald Trump is, what he has done in his past, and why our worst fears about him may not go far enough in detailing his depravity and contempt for the law and human decency.
Go to discussionHere's how much the Iran war cost -- and how its effects will linger
(NPR) As conflicts go, the Iran war, should a loose framework and ceasefire deal hold, was relatively short in duration. But its costs and aftereffects will likely linger for years. The months-long conflict, which pitted the world's most powerful military against a far weaker, yet strategically adept, adversary cost the lives of 13 U.S. service members and more than 3,300 Iranians, according to state media. Another 3,826 have been killed in Lebanon, nearly 60 in Israel and dozens across Gulf states, according to authorities in those countries.
Go to discussionTrump blows up spy bill after Senate Republicans say 'no' to voter ID legislation
(Reuters) President Donald Trump's derailment of a U.S. Senate plan to pass a key national security bill this week is only the latest example of a growing rift with Senate Republicans, who are more willing to defy the commander-in-chief in the run-up to the November midterm elections. Aiming to protect his controversial choice of loyalist Bill Pulte as acting U.S. spy chief, Trump forced the Senate Intelligence Committee to postpone a confirmation hearing for U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, his permanent nominee for director of national security, who Republicans had hoped to fast-track into the job.
Go to discussionYesterday Trump praised Russia for helping his "deal" with Iran. Today Hegseth lashes out at NATO.
(CNN) US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth doubled down on the Trump administration’s combative posture towards NATO on Thursday, announcing a six-month review of US forces in Europe and lambasting Washington’s allies for limiting their involvement in the war in Iran. “This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly towards Europe stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe,” he said at a meeting of the alliance’s defense ministers in Brussels.
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GOP senator: Trump Iran deal 'tremendous foreign policy blunder'
(The Hill) Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy (La.) on Wednesday slammed the deal between the Trump administration and Iran, two days before the two sides are set to sign it. “The details that I’ve seen so far look … awful. This will go down as a tremendous foreign policy blunder,” Cassidy told Nexstar’s Reshad Hudson on Capitol Hill.
Go to discussionWarsh Fed holds rates steady. Trump says 'It's all right. Whatever.'
(Reuters) President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed confidence in Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh after the new central bank chief concluded his first rate-setting meeting with a decision to leave interest rates unchanged and published projections that showed nearly half of U.S. central bankers feel a rate hike will be needed this year. "It's all right. Whatever," Trump said in France, when asked what he felt about the Fed's decision to hold interest rates steady. Trump had repeatedly railed at Warsh's predecessor, Jerome Powell, calling him a moron and a knucklehead, among many other names, for not cutting rates.
Go to discussionBillionaire Tax Officially Has Enough Signatures for California Ballot
(NY Times) A proposal to tax the wealth of billionaires in California has officially gathered enough signatures to appear on the November ballot, state officials announced on Wednesday. It isn’t yet certain that the tax initiative will actually be voted on, however. Several prominent Californians, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have vowed to defeat the measure, and they could strike a last-minute deal to remove it from voter consideration. Proponents have until June 25 to decide if they want to proceed with placing it on the ballot.
Go to discussionBiden, Bush, Clinton slated to attend Obama presidential center opening
(The Hill) Former Presidents Biden, Clinton and Bush are set to attend the opening of the Obama Presidential Center, according to a new report. The Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday that the three presidents intend to be at a ceremony to commemorate the center’s opening, a source familiar with the event told the outlet. Former first ladies Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Jill Biden will also be in attendance, per the Sun-Times.
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