The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a war powers resolution that would halt U.S. military action against Iran, defying President Donald Trump as a handful of Republicans joined Democrats in an effort to end the three-month-long conflict. Opposition to the war has intensified as the conflict persists and Trump struggles to negotiate a swift resolution.<\/p>\n
This House resolution does not immediately cease military operations. It now moves to the Senate, where four Republican senators last month joined Democrats in advancing a similar measure to curb the U.S. campaign against Iran. The Senate has not yet held a final vote.<\/p>\n
In an interview released Wednesday, Trump confirmed an earlier report that he had criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as \u201ccrazy,\u201d and stated he was \u201ca little bit perturbed\u201d that Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon was impeding peace talks with Iran.<\/p>\n
The Trump administration is proceeding with an agreement to permanently drop tax claims against Trump, an extraordinary display of executive power that could help shield the president from further scrutiny of his finances and legal conduct, even as it cancels a $1.8 billion fund intended to compensate the Republican president’s allies amidst intense political backlash.<\/p>\n
Trump’s endorsements contributed to ending the political careers of two senators and a congressman deemed insufficiently loyal, but he failed to secure victory for Rep. Randy Feenstra in Iowa\u2019s Republican primary, creating a Democratic opportunity to win a governorship.<\/p>\n
The Latest: Israel, Lebanon Agree to Renew Fragile Ceasefire and Create Lebanese Security Zones<\/p>\n
Israel and Lebanon have agreed to renew their fragile ceasefire and establish several \u201cpilot\u201d security zones within Lebanon, from which Hezbollah militants would be prohibited.<\/p>\n
In a joint statement issued after a fourth round of U.S.-mediated talks at the State Department, both sides stated that the ceasefire \u201cis contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives\u201d from areas south of the Litani River. It was not immediately clear how these security zones would be established, but the agreement stipulates that the Lebanese army will assume full control of those areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese steps will enable progress towards a comprehensive peace and security agreement,\u201d the statement read. \u201cAll countries reaffirmed that the future of the relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two sovereign governments. They rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon\u2019s future hostage.\u201d<\/p>\n
The latter refers to Iran, which supports Hezbollah and has insisted that Israeli attacks on Lebanon be halted as part of a tentative agreement with the U.S. to end the conflict with Iran. Hezbollah is not involved in the Israel-Lebanon talks.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Visits Venezuela<\/p>\n
The president\u2019s top military adviser, Gen. Dan Caine, visited Venezuela\u2019s capital on Wednesday, his office announced in a press release.<\/p>\n
\u201cGen. Caine participated in bilateral discussions with senior interim government leaders and U.S. Embassy leadership and staff, and visited the Embassy\u2019s Marine Security Augmentation Unit,\u201d the statement detailed. It also noted that this marked Caine\u2019s first official visit to the country.<\/p>\n
The visit occurs less than two weeks after the head of U.S. military operations in Latin America, Marine Gen. Francis Donovan, also visited Caracas as part of a rapid response exercise involving Marines and military aircraft.<\/p>\n
Venezuela\u2019s acting President, Delcy Rodr\u00edguez, is currently on an official state trip to India.<\/p>\n
House Approves War Powers Resolution to Halt Military Action Against Iran<\/p>\n
The House approved a war powers resolution that would halt U.S. military action against Iran, defying the president as a handful of Republicans joined Democrats to end the three-month-long war that has reshaped politics domestically and internationally.<\/p>\n
House Speaker Mike Johnson had attempted to prevent an outcome that would reveal mounting opposition to the war, abruptly shutting down floor action two weeks ago when the war powers resolution was on the verge of approval. However, discontent has only intensified as the conflict persists and Trump struggles to negotiate a swift resolution.<\/p>\n
The roll call vote on Wednesday was 215-208, and cheers erupted in the House chamber.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis reckless and costly war of choice needs to end today,\u201d House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York stated earlier in the week.<\/p>\n
Rubio Concludes Marathon Two-Day Capitol Hill Hearings<\/p>\n
The Secretary of State faced a litany of questions over nearly a dozen hours of combined hearings regarding the Trump administration\u2019s involvement in the war and bipartisan concerns over the status of the Iran conflict and negotiations.<\/p>\n
It was the first time Rubio had to face lawmakers since the U.S. first launched strikes on Iran, and he spent significant portions of his testimony defending the rationale and execution of the military operation.<\/p>\n
Rubio Faces Bipartisan Criticism for Waivers on Russian Oil Sanctions<\/p>\n
Democrats and Republicans, across both sides of Capitol Hill, questioned Rubio extensively about the Trump administration\u2019s decision to extend its pause on sanctions on Russian oil shipments, aimed at easing shortages caused by the Iran war.<\/p>\n
\u201cPresident Trump was right to impose those sanctions last fall, but the waivers provide Moscow with badly needed revenue, and, I think, make little difference to American consumers in the price of gas,\u201d GOP Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas stated during a hearing.<\/p>\n
Rubio defended the decision, stating these were short-term waivers and \u201cwill not be permanent.\u201d<\/p>\n
In April, the Treasury Department extended the so-called general license for Russian oil that had been loaded by March 11. These extensions have highlighted how the fallout from the Iran war has enhanced Moscow\u2019s ability to profit from its energy exports, which had been restricted since the invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n
Trump Suggests He Could \u2018Be the Greatest\u2019 Communist \u2013 If He Were Actually a Communist<\/p>\n
The president instructed a reporter to read Trump\u2019s own past statements on communism back to him, then scoffed at efforts in New York and other large, \u201cblue\u201d cities to expand social services.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d be the greatest in the world. Nobody would be as good as me. I\u2019d give away everything. I could be the greatest,\u201d Trump said, commenting on what he would be like if he were to implement similar social giveaways.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would sell them: You\u2019re going to get free rent. You\u2019re going to get free houses. You\u2019re going to get free food. You\u2019re going to get free everything,\u201d he stated. \u201cBut, eventually, that ends and it leads to death, destruction and squalor 100% of the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trump also remarked about New York\u2019s democratic socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, \u201cI would be better than him\u201d at expanding free services, but \u201cI had to sell free enterprise.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFree enterprise is tougher to sell,\u201d Trump added.<\/p>\n
Trump on Fate of Anti-Weaponization Fund: \u2018I Don\u2019t Know\u2019<\/p>\n
In his first public comments since his Justice Department announced that a controversial $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund would not proceed, the president equivocated.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d have to ask the lawyers,\u201d Trump said when directly questioned whether the settlement fund was defunct or merely on hold. \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
He spent much of his response to reporters defending the fund, which he described as a \u201cbeautiful thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
His comments came just after Senate Republicans voted to advance an immigration funding bill, which they did only after testimony from acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the fund was defunct.<\/p>\n
Trump Downplays US and Iranian Strikes Testing Fragile Ceasefire<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been hitting them pretty hard,\u201d Trump said when asked by reporters on Wednesday if the ceasefire remains in place amidst reciprocal attacks by the two sides. He added, \u201cIt\u2019s a different part of the world. You know, I\u2019d say in that part of the world, a ceasefire is when you\u2019re shooting in a more moderate manner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trump also insisted that ongoing negotiations to extend the temporary ceasefire and initiate new nuclear talks with Tehran continue to progress.<\/p>\n
He suggested that an agreement could potentially be reached \u201cover the weekend.\u201d Trump, however, has been predicting for weeks that the two sides are on the verge of reaching a deal.<\/p>\n
Trump Signs Executive Order on Federal Workforce Reform<\/p>\n
The president on Wednesday signed an order described as an attempt to simplify the process of firing or disciplining federal workers.<\/p>\n
Introducing the order at an Oval Office event, White House staff secretary Will Scharf stated that existing personnel rules make it difficult to discipline or promote workers in policymaking roles. He said the goal is to enhance the accountability of the federal workforce.<\/p>\n
James Sherk of the Domestic Policy Council added that it has been \u201calmost impossible\u201d to fire federal employees even in cases of serious misconduct.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat this does is basically treat those employees like private sector workers who are hired on the basis of merit and competence,\u201d Sherk explained. \u201cBut if they\u2019re messing up, then they can be removed quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trump Signs Executive Order Related to U.S.-Mexico Border<\/p>\n
After hastily summoning reporters to the Oval Office, the president signed an executive action that will empower customs officials to more carefully track imports crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.<\/p>\n
His order aims to improve the tracking of goods imported into the U.S. for tariff purposes. Federal authorities stated it would also enable them to better hold importing firms accountable, which have long used shell companies to evade taxes.<\/p>\n
Rubio: Adding Countries to Abraham Accords Would Be \u201cDifficult at This Moment\u201d Amid Iran War<\/p>\n
Asked why it is important to increase normalization between Israel and Arab countries, Rubio outlined the benefits it would provide both sides, but offered a sober outlook on its unlikelihood given the ongoing hostilities in the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do want to expand the Abraham Accords obviously, but it\u2019s difficult to do at this moment,\u201d Rubio told senators Wednesday afternoon. \u201cBut we\u2019re laying the groundwork for it. It\u2019ll be a top priority of this administration.\u201d<\/p>\n
His testimony diverged from Trump\u2019s recent comments, including last week, when the president stated that signing onto the Abraham Accords \u201cshould be mandatory\u201d as part of a U.S.-Iran deal currently under negotiation.<\/p>\n
The accords were a series of diplomatic and commercial agreements forged with U.S. influence between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco in 2020, during Trump\u2019s first term.<\/p>\n
Trump Addresses Press About Reflecting Pool<\/p>\n
Shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday, reporters were suddenly summoned to the Oval Office.<\/p>\n
The ostensible reason was to witness the president sign executive orders. However, Trump began the event by extolling the reflecting pool outside the Lincoln Memorial, which he had announced earlier would receive its final protective coating today.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll last for 50 to 100 years before you have to do anything, very strong, powerful substance that we used,\u201d Trump told reporters. At one point, he held up a poster that read: \u201cOur Pool is Bigger than Skyscrapers.\u201d<\/p>\n
After that opening, Trump transitioned to the main topic: a customs-related executive order.<\/p>\n
Republicans Win Partisan Redistricting Battle<\/p>\n
Since Trump urged Republicans to redraw U.S. House districts last year, officials in eight states have enacted new districts that could help Republicans win up to 16 additional seats in the November elections.<\/p>\n
Democrats faced setbacks in their counterattacks. However, they could gain up to six additional seats from new districts in two states.<\/p>\n
The aggressive mid-decade redistricting carries high stakes, as Democrats need to gain just a few seats in the midterms to win control of the House. It remains to be seen whether the redistricting will help Republicans maintain their slim majority.<\/p>\n
US Reduces Forces Pledged to NATO in a Crisis<\/p>\n
The U.S. military is reducing the number of forces it would contribute to NATO during an emergency, a change anticipated from the Trump administration as it pressures European allies to bear more of the continent\u2019s defense burden.<\/p>\n
U.S. European Command on Wednesday publicly announced changes to the NATO Force Model, a contingency plan for European defense in the event of serious security concerns, such as increased Russian aggression. The announcement lacked specifics but stated that allies could step up with planes and ships as the U.S. reserves more of its own forces to counter potential threats in other parts of the world.<\/p>\n
U.S. and British officials stated that the change had already been announced in classified meetings with NATO allies in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
Demonstrator Ejected as Rubio Kicks Off Fourth and Final Capitol Hill Hearing<\/p>\n
As the Secretary of State entered his fourth and final congressional hearing, an 18-year-old demonstrator yelled that the Trump administration\u2019s foreign policy actions were being taken \u201cagainst the will of the American people\u201d before being removed from the Senate hearing room.<\/p>\n
She yelled, \u201cFree Palestine,\u201d as the door was closing.<\/p>\n
It was the first interruption of the day but part of a series of protests against Rubio and the administration over the past two days, specifically targeting U.S. support for Israel and its impacts on war-torn Gaza.<\/p>\n
Three UN Experts Accuse US of \u2018Unlawful Coercion\u2019 Against Cuba\u2019s Sovereignty<\/p>\n
Independent U.N. human rights investigators on Wednesday urged the Trump administration to immediately halt all threats against Cuba\u2019s sovereignty and revoke sanctions \u201cadopted contrary to international law.\u201d<\/p>\n
The experts stated that efforts to change Cuba\u2019s \u201cconstitutional order\u201d through threats and coercion \u201cecho colonial-era practices.\u201d<\/p>\n
They noted that Trump\u2019s declaration of a \u201cDonroe Doctrine\u201d in March, asserting U.S. predominance in the Western Hemisphere, has raised \u201csignificant alarm.\u201d They also stated that his comments about the \u201chonor of taking Cuba\u201d reflect \u201ca deeply concerning strategy of coercion\u201d against the country.<\/p>\n
The experts on democracy, the negative impact of sanctions, and counterterrorism also highlighted the longstanding U.S. embargo and recent fuel blockade of Cuba.<\/p>\n
They called the recent U.S. indictment of former Cuban president Ra\u00fal Castro \u201ca misuse of domestic judicial proceedings\u201d and \u201can instrument of coercive foreign policy,\u201d and the announced deployment of the USS Nimitz to the southern Caribbean another element of \u201cunlawful coercion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rubio Concludes Nearly 4-Hour Congressional Hearing<\/p>\n
The Secretary of State has concluded nearly four hours of testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he received praise from Republicans and sparred with Democrats over the Iran war, President Donald Trump\u2019s relationship with NATO, and U.S. aid to Africa.<\/p>\n
The hearing before lawmakers on Capitol Hill was the third of four in two days for the former Republican senator from Florida. While the stated purpose of each hearing was to discuss the State Department\u2019s budget, they often veered into discussions about the Trump administration\u2019s dealings with countries worldwide.<\/p>\n
Rubio Insists Any US-Iran Deal Will Be \u2018Better\u2019 Than Obama Agreement<\/p>\n
Republicans and Democrats have raised concerns about the reported details of a deal between Tehran and Washington. On Wednesday, Rep. Andy Barr, a Republican from Kentucky, questioned whether the deal was similar to the one former President Barack Obama made in 2015.<\/p>\n
Rubio proceeded to outline the various issues under discussion and how they differ from the previous nuclear deal, which Trump withdrew from in 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, any deal we do will be a good deal, or there won\u2019t be a deal, and it\u2019ll be better than JCPOA,\u201d Rubio said, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.<\/p>\n
That agreement, which included Germany, France, and Britain, had lifted most U.S. and international economic sanctions against Iran in exchange for restrictions on its nuclear program, making it impossible to produce a bomb and establishing rigorous inspections.<\/p>\n
Rubio Says Trump Still Wants to Be Part of NATO, But Alliance Needs Significant Reform<\/p>\n
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the Trump administration has no intention of abandoning NATO but will not back down from demanding significant reforms.<\/p>\n
Rubio informed lawmakers Wednesday that the president plans to attend the annual NATO leaders\u2019 summit in Turkey next month, where he will present the U.S. case for changes and reiterate calls for allies to increase their defense spending. The summit is scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe president himself will be attending the next NATO meeting of heads of state where all of these points will be made clear. We\u2019re still in NATO, but NATO needs significant changes, and the president has made that clear,\u201d Rubio said.<\/p>\n
Trump has been particularly irked by some NATO countries, primarily Spain, for denying the use of airbases for the war against Iran.<\/p>\n
Senate GOP Officially Strips $1 Billion in White House Security Funding from Immigration Spending Bill<\/p>\n
After weeks of discussions, the Senate has officially dropped a $1 billion proposal for White House security and Trump\u2019s ballroom project.<\/p>\n
The Senate is set to begin voting on legislation to fund immigration enforcement agencies on Wednesday afternoon, and the bill\u2019s final text, released just hours before the vote, does not include the security funding.<\/p>\n
Republicans had already indicated they would drop the security proposal following backlash from within their own caucus and criticism from Democrats.<\/p>\n
Rubio Says Greenland is Part of Denmark \u2018For Now\u2019<\/p>\n
Rubio made the \u201cfor now\u201d statement when Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride of Delaware questioned him about Trump\u2019s calls for the U.S. to own the semiautonomous territory of Denmark to better defend the U.S.<\/p>\n
Rubio stated that talks about the use of Greenland for collective defense are \u201cin a good place,\u201d though he declined to publicly discuss the details.<\/p>\n
McBride had asked Rubio if he shares Trump\u2019s belief that the U.S. needs to own land within NATO to defend it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe president\u2019s view is that it\u2019s a lot easier to defend it when you have control and complete control of it,\u201d Rubio said. \u201cWe are obviously having conversations with both Denmark and Greenland. They are ongoing on a monthly basis now. I think we\u2019ll have pretty good news.\u201d<\/p>\n
Abelardo de la Espriella Thanks Trump for Endorsement, Predicts Stronger US-Colombia Ties<\/p>\n
Colombian lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella, who advanced in the first round of Colombia\u2019s presidential race, on Wednesday thanked Trump for endorsing his campaign, stating he predicts stronger bilateral ties if the conservative defeats progressive Iv\u00e1n Cepeda in the presidential runoff.<\/p>\n
Writing on the Truth Social platform the previous day, Trump offered his \u201ccomplete and total endorsement\u201d for de la Espriella, calling him an \u201cintelligent, strong, and tough leader\u201d who will take on a \u201cradical leftist Marxist\u201d in the June 21 runoff election.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith my head held high and my heart throbbing with patriotic gratitude, I receive your words and your steadfast support,\u201d de la Espriella, known as \u201cEl Tigre\u201d or \u201cThe Tiger,\u201d wrote on the social platform X. \u201cThank you, Mr. President!\u201d<\/p>\n
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.<\/p>\n
#IranWar #HouseResolution #TrumpAdministration #USPolitics #ForeignPolicy #NATO #MiddleEast #USMexicoBorder #FederalReform #AbrahamAccords<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved a war powers resolution that would halt U.S. military action against Iran, defying President Donald Trump as a handful of Republicans joined Democrats in an effort to end the three-month-long conflict. Opposition to the war has intensified as the conflict persists and Trump struggles to negotiate a swift […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":31044,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31043","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-iran-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fajr.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31043","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fajr.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fajr.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fajr.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fajr.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=31043"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/fajr.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31043\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fajr.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/31044"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fajr.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31043"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fajr.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31043"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fajr.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31043"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}