[Tuesday, June 24] US News Headlines from r/politics

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1. Foreign Policy and National Security

1.1. The Iran-Israel Conflict: Ceasefire Collapse, Military Ineffectiveness, and Political Firestorm

A ceasefire announced by President Trump to end the “12 Day War” between Israel and Iran has collapsed into a volatile diplomatic and political crisis [1]. The deal unraveled almost immediately as Israel and Iran accused each other of violations, prompting an angry public outburst from President Trump who was quoted on live television saying, “They don’t know what the f— they’re doing” [2, 3]. The President later sowed further confusion by declaring the ceasefire was once again ‘in effect’ [4]. The administration’s claims of military success are now being directly challenged by its own intelligence community. Early assessments from U.S. agencies conclude the strikes did not destroy Iran’s nuclear sites and only set back its program by a matter of months, a stark contrast to more triumphant initial portrayals [5].

The conflict has ignited a severe constitutional crisis on Capitol Hill. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declared President Trump “chose to ignore the Constitution” by launching the strikes without authorization, while Speaker Mike Johnson countered that the War Powers Act itself is unconstitutional [6, 7]. Senator Bernie Sanders characterized the intervention as a ‘war based on lies’ [8]. The conflict has also exposed rifts in the President’s base, with a “MAGA backlash” turning into a debate over the extent of U.S. support for Israel [9]. Diplomatically, the President has reportedly shifted policy to allow China to purchase Iranian oil, and a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for the ceasefire deal was subsequently withdrawn [10, 11].

1.2. NATO Relations: Contradictory Signals on Spending and Commitment

The administration’s stance on NATO remains a critical point of uncertainty for allies. En route to a summit in The Hague, President Trump publicly questioned the U.S. commitment to the alliance’s Article 5 mutual defense guarantee, stating it ‘Depends on your definition’ [12]. This has renewed alarm over the reliability of U.S. security commitments. At the same time, the administration is claiming victory in pressuring allies to increase defense spending towards a 5% of GDP target [13]. However, a conflicting report alleges the President was unable to answer a “Basic Question About NATO Responsibilities,” suggesting a potential gap in his understanding of the alliance’s foundational principles [14].

1.3. Gaza Aid Controversy and U.S. Middle East Stance

The administration is moving forward with a controversial, dual-track approach to humanitarian aid in Gaza. The U.S. has committed $30 million to an Israeli-backed organization for food distribution [15]. This comes as a separate U.S.-backed aid effort in Gaza has been condemned by a U.N. agency as “a death trap” that has allegedly led to dozens of deaths, creating a potential crisis in humanitarian oversight [16]. The administration’s pro-Israel stance was underscored by a spokesperson for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who declared the “US Is ‘Greatest Country on Earth Next to Israel’” [17].

2. The Judiciary and Rule of Law

2.1. Supreme Court Backs Administration on Immigration, Sparking Fierce Dissent

The Supreme Court handed the administration a major victory, ruling 6-3 to allow the resumption of “3rd-country removals” of migrants without prior “court-ordered due process requirements” [18]. The decision, which critics argue strips due process from thousands, prompted a “fiery” dissent from the Court’s liberal wing. Justice Sonia Sotomayor accused the majority of “rewarding lawlessness” by the Trump administration [19]. Following the ruling, the administration asked the Supreme Court to clear the way for a deportation flight to South Sudan [20].

2.2. Judicial Nominee Scandal and Executive Defiance of Courts

The rule of law is under significant pressure amid alarming whistleblower allegations against a federal judicial nominee and direct executive branch challenges to court authority. A DOJ whistleblower alleges that judicial nominee Emil Bove proposed defying court orders and, with other top DOJ leaders, tried to mislead judges [21]. In response, Senate Judiciary Democrats are demanding records from the Southern District of New York regarding the alleged misconduct [22]. Separately, the Trump administration has formally accused a federal judge of “unprecedented defiance” of the Supreme Court in an immigration dispute, deepening the rift between the branches [23].

3. Executive Branch: Domestic Policy & Governance

3.1. Major Environmental and Health Policy Shifts

The administration is advancing sweeping changes to environmental and health policy. President Trump is set to formally remove environmental protections from 59 million acres of National Forests to open the land to commercial logging [24]. Separately, a proposal for “massive NOAA cuts” has experts warning of imperiled weather forecasts and danger to lives [25]. In health policy, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is driving major changes, from replacing members on a key federal vaccine advisory panel to reportedly “Taking an Axe to America’s Dietary Guidelines,” prompting health groups to organize efforts to preserve vaccine access [26]. In a separate federal finding, a new CDC report has concluded there is no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism [27].

3.2. Immigration Enforcement and Governance

Immigration enforcement is escalating with the construction of a new migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades dubbed “‘Alligator Alcatraz’” [28]. The actions of ICE, described in reports as a “rogue agency,” are under intense scrutiny [29]. However, the administration’s agenda faces significant setbacks: the FBI has reportedly abandoned a migrant round-up initiative in what is being called a “humiliating blow,” and a federal court ordered the administration to facilitate the return of a man who had been deported to El Salvador [30, 31].

3.3. Economic Tensions and Ethical Scrutiny

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has explicitly stated that ongoing “tariff uncertainty warrants caution on rate cuts,” directly linking administration trade policy to constrained monetary policy [32]. This comes as a new report alleges the administration’s rollback of the CFPB has cost consumers $18 billion [33]. New ethical questions are also emerging, with an investigative report detailing “sketchy” financial ties between immigration policy architect Stephen Miller and ICE contractor Palantir, and another noting that one of the last undeveloped islands in the Mediterranean has been sold to the Trump family [34, 35].

4. Congressional and Political Affairs

4.1. GOP “Megabill” Stalls as Key Provisions Struck Down

The Republican majority’s primary legislative vehicle, a “megabill” designed to pass under budget reconciliation, has hit multiple serious roadblocks. The Senate Parliamentarian has struck down numerous key provisions for violating Senate rules, including a civil service overhaul, expanded offshore drilling, and plans to sell public lands [36]. Despite the setbacks, Republicans were able to successfully revise and win approval for a separate measure to cut SNAP benefits after it was also initially blocked, demonstrating persistence in advancing their fiscal priorities [37].

4.2. Deepening Intra-Party Divisions and Leadership Dynamics

Fractures are widening within the GOP. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has publicly “left the door open” to the scenario of caucusing with Democrats, a move that would upend the 53-47 Senate majority [38]. Senator Lindsey Graham has publicly broken with President Trump over his Iran policy [39]. Rhetoric from GOP leadership on social safety nets is also drawing sharp scrutiny, with Speaker Mike Johnson reportedly mocking those who could lose Medicaid to “‘Do Something Constructive,’” and Senator Mitch McConnell saying they will “‘Get Over It’” [40, 41].

4.3. Impeachment Effort Defeated in Bipartisan House Vote

A resolution to impeach President Trump over the recent Iran strikes was decisively defeated in the House of Representatives. In a significant sign of bipartisan opposition to the measure, 128 Democrats joined with the Republican majority to kill the impeachment vote, signaling broad reluctance on Capitol Hill to pursue that path at this time [42].

5. State and Local Affairs

5.1. NYC Mayoral Race Signals Democratic Divide; States Pursue Divergent Paths

The New York City mayoral primary is being closely watched as a “referendum” on the future of the Democratic Party, pitting a progressive wing against the party establishment [43]. Elsewhere, state governments are pursuing starkly divergent policies. In Texas, officials plan to put the Ten Commandments in all public schools “in defiance of courts” [44]. New York is planning one of the nation’s first new nuclear power plants in a generation, while in Missouri, state officials have seized control of the St. Louis police department to reverse local reforms [45, 46].

References:
[1] Trump announces Israel and Iran have agreed to cease-fire ending ‘12 Day War’, https://nypost.com/2025/06/23/us-news/trump-announces-israel-and-iran-have-agreed-to-cease-fire/
[2] Fragile Israel-Iran ceasefire on the brink of collapse prompts fury from Trump | Israel and Iran accused each other of violating the ceasefire the US president had been boasting of just hours earlier, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/israel-iran-ceasefire-trump-war-b2776039.html
[3] Trump on Israel, Iran continuing fight: ‘They don’t know what the f— they’re doing’, https://thehill.com/homenews/5365719-trump-israel-iran-ceasefire/
[4] Trump says Israel-Iran ceasefire ‘in effect’ after blaming both countries for violations, https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/trump-says-israel-iran-ceasefire-is-in-effect-and-israeli-planes-wont-attack-anymore/
[5] Strike Set Back Iran’s Nuclear Program by Only a Few Months, U.S. Report Says, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/us/politics/iran-nuclear-sites.html
[6] Hakeem Jeffries says Trump “chose to ignore the Constitution” with strikes on Iran, https://www.cbsnews.com/video/hakeem-jeffries-trump-chose-ignore-constitution-strikes-iran/
[7] House Speaker Johnson argues the War Powers Act is unconstitutional, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/24/johnson-war-powers-trump-iran.html
[8] Bernie Sanders calls US entering Israeli-Iran conflict a ‘war based on lies.’, https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/23/bernie-sanders-donald-trump-israel-iran-bombing/84315358007/
[9] MAGA backlash against the Iran war turns into debate over U.S. support for Israel, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/iran-israel-maga-us-support-b2776186.html
[10] Trump, in shift, says he’ll let China continue to purchase oil from Iran, https://jewishinsider.com/2025/06/trump-in-shift-lets-china-continue-oil-purchase-from-iran-maximum-pressure/
[11] Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize nomination withdrawn, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/06/24/trumps-nobel-peace-prize-nomination-withdrawn-ukraine/
[12] Trump says whether he’ll commit to NATO mutual defense guarantee ‘Depends on your definition’, https://apnews.com/article/trump-iran-israel-nato-e34385f9b6e2ff5d0cf60f8aaea57a40
[13] NATO leaders convene to lock in Trump’s massive defense spending boost | Alliance brass open their summit in The Hague with President Trump claiming early victory on 5% defense spending while key allies seek flexibility., https://www.courthousenews.com/nato-leaders-convene-to-lock-in-trumps-massive-defense-spending-boost/
[14] Trump Fails Basic Question About NATO Responsibilities | Donald Trump continues not to understand his own job., https://newrepublic.com/post/197168/donald-trump-basic-question-nato-defense
[15] Trump administration will provide $30 million to Israeli-backed group distributing food in Gaza, https://apnews.com/article/gaza-humanitarian-aid-trump-d7c1a762c4eefc1ed8b950e29c26da0c
[16] U.N. agency slams U.S.-backed Gaza aid effort as “a death trap,” as health officials say dozens killed, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-gaza-war-unrwa-calls-us-backed-ghf-a-death-trap/
[17] Rubio Spokesperson Says US Is “Greatest Country on Earth Next to Israel”, https://truthout.org/articles/rubio-spokesperson-says-us-is-greatest-country-on-earth-next-to-israel/
[18] Supreme Court allows Trump to resume 3rd-country removals without court-ordered due process requirements, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/supreme-court-allows-trump-resume-3rd-country-removals/story?id=123133930
[19] Sotomayor accuses Supreme Court of ‘rewarding lawlessness’ by Trump administration in fiery dissent, https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/23/politics/sonia-sotomayor-dissent-immigration-rewarding-lawlessness
[20] Trump administration asks Supreme Court to clear the way for a South Sudan-bound deportation flight, https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-immigration-trump-south-sudan-fe5c4c22b95610007cd7a163d937668f
[21] Top Justice Department leaders and judicial nominee tried to mislead judges, whistleblower says, https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/24/politics/justice-department-whistleblower-deportation-emil-bove
[22] Sen. Schiff, Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats Demand SDNY Misconduct Records Ahead of Emil Bove’s Nomination Hearing, https://www.schiff.senate.gov/news/press-releases/news-sen-schiff-senate-judiciary-committee-democrats-demand-sdny-misconduct-records-ahead-of-emil-boves-nomination-hearing/
[23] Trump administration accuses judge of ‘unprecedented defiance’ of Supreme Court in immigration dispute, http://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna214735
[24] Trump rescinds protections on 59m acres of national forest to allow logging, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/24/trump-administration-national-forests-logging
[25] Massive NOAA cuts could put weather forecasts in peril, lives in danger, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/24/noaa-budget-cuts-weather-forecasts-dire-impact/84064074007/
[26] How health groups are trying to preserve vaccine access, bypassing RFK Jr. • The effort comes as the Trump administration has replaced members of the key federal vaccine advisory panel., https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/06/24/vaccines-access-rfk-cdc/
[27] US CDC report shows no link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism, https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/us-cdc-report-shows-no-evidence-linking-thimerosal-containing-vaccines-autism-2025-06-24/
[28] ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: Florida building migrant detention centre in Everglades, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0rvq1eg8w9o
[29] ‘Clouded in mystery’: how Ice became a rogue agency that does Trump’s bidding, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/24/ice-trump-administration-immigration-deportations
[30] FBI Abandons Miller’s Migrant Round-Up in Humiliating Blow, https://www.thedailybeast.com/fbi-abandons-stephen-millers-migrant-round-up-in-humiliating-blow/?via=twitter_page&utm_campaign=owned_social&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_source=twitter_owned_tdb
[31] Court orders Trump administration to facilitate another deported man’s return from El Salvador, https://apnews.com/article/trump-el-salvador-deportation-appeals-court-df8ccaa328a35334c06aa9655ae005eb
[32] Fed Chair Jerome Powell says tariff uncertainty warrants caution on rate cuts, https://www.npr.org/2025/06/24/nx-s1-5442665/federal-reserve-powell-economy-interest-rates-tariffs
[33] Trump’s CFPB rollback has cost Americans $18 billion, consumer groups say, https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/trumps-cfpb-rollback-has-cost-americans-18-billion-consumer-groups-say-2025-06-24/
[34] Stephen Miller’s Sketchy Ties to Palantir Exposed in New Report, https://newrepublic.com/post/197149/stephen-miller-palantir-stocks-immigration-report
[35] Sold to the Trump family: one of the last undeveloped islands in the Mediterranean, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/24/trump-family-kushner-undeveloped-island-mediterranean-sazan-albania
[36] Senate parliamentarian’s no-go list: 12 pieces struck from Trump’s megabill, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5365060-senate-parliamentarian-gop-bill-rejections/
[37] Republicans Revise SNAP Cut Axed By Parliamentarian, Win Approval For New Version, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/senate-parliamentarian-snap-big-beautiful-bill_n_685ae1ece4b0681fbcabc031
[38] Murkowski leaves door open to scenario of caucusing with Democrats, https://www.axios.com/2025/06/24/murkowski-book-democrats-alaska-senate
[39] Lindsey Graham Breaks With Donald Trump Over Iran, https://www.newsweek.com/lindsey-graham-breaks-donald-trump-over-iran-2090170
[40] Mike Johnson Mocks Millions Who Could Lose Medicaid: ‘Do Something Constructive’, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/mike-johnson-trump-medicaid-millions-lose-constructive-1235371253/
[41] Mitch McConnell Says People Worried About Medicaid Cuts Will ‘Get Over It’, https://www.newsweek.com/mitch-mcconnell-medicaid-get-over-it-report-2090245
[42] House Democrats join Republicans to kill vote impeaching Trump over Iran strikes, https://www.axios.com/2025/06/24/trump-impeachment-trump-iran-al-green-democrats
[43] As Dem Establishment Backs Cuomo, Calls Grow for NYC Mayor Race to Be ‘Referendum’ on Party’s Direction | “Cuomo winning will not only legitimize the Islamophobia that has dominated this race… but would also prove that you really can just waltz in and buy an election,” said one observer., https://www.commondreams.org/news/zohran-mamdani-mayor
[44] In defiance of courts, Texas to put Ten Commandments in public schools, https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/defiance-courts-texas-put-ten-commandments-public-schools-rcna214514
[45] New York to Build One of First U.S. Nuclear-Power Plants in Generation, https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/new-york-to-build-one-of-first-u-s-nuclear-power-plants-in-generation-271cfd33?st=7kkebs
[46] Missouri Officials Seize Control of St. Louis Police, in Latest Bid to Shutter Local Reforms, https://boltsmag.org/missouri-state-control-of-st-louis-police/