Trump

Trump’s Unconventional DNI Pick: Bill Pulte President Trump has nominated Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting Director of National Intelligence, succeeding Tulsi Gabbard who resigned in late May. The nomination comes at a critical juncture, with Iran nuclear negotiations stalling and Middle East tensions escalating. Background Pulte’s background is primarily in housing finance rather than traditional national security or intelligence work. However, he has reportedly held senior positions across multiple federal agencies, giving him cross-departmental coordination experience. ...

President Trump has appointed Bill Pulte as acting Director of National Intelligence, succeeding Tulsi Gabbard who resigned in late May. The appointment comes amid heightened national security challenges, including faltering Iran ceasefire negotiations and ongoing Middle East tensions. Pulte brings extensive intelligence community experience from senior roles across multiple federal agencies. The Senate Intelligence Committee is expected to hold confirmation hearings to assess his readiness for the role.

A federal judge has reopened Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS.

Trump signs executive order endorsing a plan to halve the number of recommended childhood vaccines.

Trump said he will soon decide whether to accept an Iran deal and emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz must be open to international shipping, Reuters reported. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, with roughly one-fifth of global petroleum supply passing through it. Recent Middle East tensions have driven oil prices sharply higher, pressuring the global economy. Analysts say Trump’s statement could signal a significant shift in US Iran policy, though details of any potential agreement remain unclear. International markets are closely monitoring developments. ...

Trump faces two significant legal rulings. According to Axios, a judge has ordered that his name must be removed from the Kennedy Center. Separately, another court has temporarily blocked payouts from Trump’s $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” settlement, which had drawn widespread controversy. Both rulings reflect ongoing legal challenges for Trump. Analysts suggest these decisions could further impact his political standing.

Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration’s ’lawfare’ fund after Jan. 6 prosecutor files lawsuit.

VP Vance says US and Iran are very close to a deal but key differences remain. Trump has not yet decided whether to sign.

Trump Circulates Draft Iran Peace Deal to Israel and Key Allies According to The Washington Post, US President Trump has shared a draft Iran peace agreement with Israel and other Middle Eastern allies, signaling a potential major turning point in the months-long Iran crisis. The specific terms of the draft have not been made public, but sources indicate the framework involves restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a gradual lifting of US sanctions on Iran. In return, Iran would be required to accept international inspections and commit to halting nuclear weapons development. ...

Trump Administration Factions Clash Over AI Policy Direction Internal divisions within the Trump administration over AI regulation have surfaced, with some officials pushing for mandatory safety testing of large AI models while others favor deregulation to maintain U.S. competitiveness. The split reflects a broader policy debate: how to balance AI innovation with risk prevention. The U.S. Commerce Department has already conducted safety testing on AI models from Google, Microsoft, and xAI, but the mandatory nature of these tests and the subsequent regulatory framework remain contested. ...