[Wednesday, June 25] US News Headlines from r/politics

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1. The Iran Crisis: From Military Strike to Political Firestorm

1.1 Conflicting Narratives on Strike’s Success

The administration’s public posture on the U.S. military strike against Iran has shifted dramatically amid conflicting reports. Initially, President Trump announced a “complete and total ceasefire,” a move that reportedly caught his own top officials by surprise [1]. This triumphant narrative was quickly undermined by a subsequent U.S. report, verified with satellite imagery and leaked intelligence, which concluded the operation only set back Iran’s program by “a few months” [2]. Following this leak, both President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth publicly admitted to having “doubts about the level of damage” inflicted [3]. The President also poured “cold water on the ceasefire he bragged about,” warning the war “could maybe start again soon” [4].

[1] Trump’s Cease-Fire Announcement Catches His Own Top Officials by Surprise, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/23/world/middleeast/trump-ceasefire-israel-iran.html
[2] 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
[3] Trump and Hegseth admit doubts about level of damage to Iranian nuclear sites, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/25/trump-and-hegseth-admit-doubts-over-irans-nuclear-sites-damage-by-us-strikes
[4] Trump Issues Insane Warning About Israel and Iran Conflict | Donald Trump appeared to pour cold water on the ceasefire he bragged about., https://newrepublic.com/post/197227/donald-trump-warning-israel-iran-conflict

1.2 Intelligence Leaks Spark Administration Backlash

The release of damaging intelligence assessments triggered a furious response from the administration. President Trump reportedly raged over the leak, which characterized the operation as a “humiliating flop,” and publicly denounced the sources as “scum” [1]. In a direct response, the President is reportedly preparing to limit the sharing of classified information with Congress [2]. Top cabinet officials have moved to discredit the intelligence sources, with reports that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are attempting to “smear” the leakers [3].

[1] Trump Rages Through Night Over Leak of Humiliating Iran Flop, https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-rage-posts-at-cnn-leak-of-embarrassing-iran-raid-flop/
[2] Scoop: Trump to limit sharing classified info with Congress after leak on Iran bombing damage, https://www.axios.com/2025/06/25/iran-bombing-intelligence-trump-congress
[3] Hegseth and Rubio Scramble to Smear Leakers Who Embarrassed Trump, https://www.thedailybeast.com/pete-hegseth-and-marco-rubio-scramble-to-smear-leakers-who-embarrassed-trump/

1.3 Bipartisan Reactions and a Pivot to Diplomacy

The initial strikes prompted a mixed reaction in Congress, with some Democrats breaking rank to support the move while some Republicans questioned it [1]. An impeachment resolution brought by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was defeated by a wide bipartisan margin, with 128 Democrats joining Republicans to block the articles [2]. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) stated the administration “‘got caught in a lie’” over its damage claims [3]. Amid the confusion, the U.S. is now scheduled to begin diplomatic talks with Iran [4].

[1] Democrats break rank to support Trump Iran strikes, while some Republicans question move, https://wjla.com/news/nation-world/democrats-break-rank-to-support-trump-iran-strikes-while-some-republicans-question-move-marjorie-taylor-greene-fetterman-gottheimer-thomas-massie-schumer-thune-aoc
[2] 128 Democrats cross the aisle and help Republicans block AOC-backed bid to impeach Trump over Iran strikes, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-impeachment-aoc-al-green-democrats-vote-b2776294.html
[3] ‘They got caught in a lie’: Sen. Murphy on Trump and Hegseth’s meltdown over intel report on Iran, https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/watch/-they-got-caught-in-a-lie-sen-murphy-on-trump-and-hegseth-s-meltdown-over-intel-report-on-iran-242261061802
[4] US to start talks with Iran amid nuclear damage confusion, https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-iran/article/us-to-start-talks-with-iran-amid-nuclear-damage-confusion-qmftrjzqq

2. Domestic Upheaval: Mamdani’s Victory Roils Democratic Party

2.1 A “Political Earthquake” in New York City’s Mayoral Primary

Democratic Socialist lawmaker Zohran Mamdani, 33, has defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary in what is being widely described as a “stunning upset” and a “political earthquake” [1]. Following Andrew Cuomo’s concession, Mamdani is positioned to become the city’s first Muslim mayor, having won with a campaign seen as a new “Democratic blueprint” built on viral media and a platform of affordability [2, 3]. In the aftermath, Mamdani called for Democratic unity for the general election [4].

[1] Zohran Mamdani set to topple Andrew Cuomo in NYC mayoral race | The 33-year-old Democratic Socialist lawmaker is expected to defeat the former governor in a stunning primary, signaling generational change in the Democratic Party., https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/24/mamdani-leads-cuomo-nyc-mayor-race-00422363
[2] Andrew Cuomo concedes New York City Democratic mayoral primary to Zohran Mamdani, https://apnews.com/article/andrew-cuomo-zohran-mamdani-new-york-mayor-0d39764944e7e55a7e26a988d4136a86?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2025-06-24-Breaking+News
[3] With viral videos and buzzy spots, Zohran Mamdani crafts a Democratic blueprint, https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/25/politics/zohran-mamdani-viral-videos
[4] Fresh from an upset in the NY primary, Mamdani calls for Democratic unity, https://gothamist.com/news/fresh-from-an-upset-in-the-ny-primary-mamdani-calls-for-democratic-unity

2.2 National Fallout, Republican Attacks, and a Terrified Wall Street

Mamdani’s win is being interpreted as a “seismic moment for the Left” that has left New York’s Wall Street and business communities “terrified” [1, 2]. Republicans are reportedly “racing to make” Mamdani the new public face of the Democratic Party [3]. President Trump has personally attacked the nominee, branding him a “100% Communist Lunatic” [4]. This has escalated to some right-wing groups calling on the President to deport the candidate [5].

[1] Zohran Mamdani’s Upset Is a Seismic Moment for the Left, https://time.com/7297429/zohran-mamdani-victory-democratic-socialist/
[2] Zohran Mamdani has NYC’s business community “terrified”, https://www.axios.com/2025/06/25/zohran-mamdani-wall-street
[3] Republicans are racing to make Zohran Mamdani the face of the Democratic Party, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/25/gop-zohran-mamdani-midterms-00423397
[4] Trump brands Mamdani a ‘100% Communist Lunatic’ backed by ‘dummies’ who has a ‘grating’ voice, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-zohran-mamdani-new-york-mayor-b2777034.html
[5] MAGA Has a Depraved New Plan for Democratic Star Zohran Mamdani | Influential right-wing groups are calling on President Trump to deport the young progressive who just won New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary., https://newrepublic.com/post/197279/maga-depraved-new-plan-democratic-star-zohran-mamdani

2.3 Sanders Calls Leadership ‘Out of Touch’ as DNC Tensions Flare

The mayoral primary result is exacerbating deep internal tensions within the Democratic party. One report describes the Democratic National Committee (D.N.C.) as being in “chaos and desperate for cash” [1]. Senator Bernie Sanders reacted to the result by stating, “Democratic Leadership Is Way Out of Touch,” a sentiment echoed by progressives calling for more primary challenges against the establishment [2]. Separately, union leaders’ recent exit from the DNC has exposed what one source calls “‘mind-boggling’ tensions” within the party [3].

[1] The D.N.C. Is in Chaos and Desperate for Cash, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/us/politics/dnc-ken-martin.html
[2] ‘Democratic Leadership Is Way Out of Touch’: Bernie Sanders on Zohran Mamdani’s Win, https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/06/25/zohran-mamdani-bernie-sanders-interview-00423557
[3] Union leaders’ exit from DNC exposes ‘mind-boggling’ tensions inside Democratic Party, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/25/dnc-union-leaders-democratic-party

3. Executive Branch: Major Shifts in Domestic Policy and Enforcement

3.1 Immigration Overhaul: New Policies, Record Arrests, and Veteran Deportations

The administration is advancing a new plan that could terminate asylum claims and expedite deportations for hundreds of thousands of migrants [1]. This comes as ICE is arresting non-criminal immigrants at a record rate, reportedly an 1,100% increase since President Trump’s first term [2]. Enforcement actions are having severe consequences, highlighted by the case of a decorated Army veteran with a Purple Heart who was compelled to self-deport after nearly 50 years in the U.S. [3]. A new Supreme Court ruling now permits the administration to deport migrants to any country that will accept them, a decision one unnamed Justice warned will cause “Thousands to Suffer” [4]. Reports also indicate a rise in U.S. officers conducting enforcement while “hiding behind masks,” a practice critics call indicative of a “police state” [5].

[1] New Trump administration plan could end asylum claims and speed deportations for hundreds of thousands of migrants, https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/25/politics/migrants-asylum-claims-deportations?cid=ios_app
[2] ICE is now arresting record numbers of non-criminal immigrants — a 1,100% increase since Trump’s first term, https://www.cato.org/blog/ice-arresting-1100-percent-more-noncriminals-streets-2017
[3] National Purple Heart Army veteran self-deports after nearly 50 years in the U.S., https://www.npr.org/2025/06/24/g-s1-74036/trump-ice-self-deportation-army-veteran-hawaii
[4] Supreme Court Justice Warns ‘Thousands Will Suffer’ After Trump Admin Allowed to Deport Migrants to Any Country That Will Take Them, https://www.latintimes.com/supreme-court-justice-warns-thousands-will-suffer-after-trump-admin-allowed-deport-migrants-any-585542
[5] The alarming rise of US officers hiding behind masks: ‘A police state’, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/25/immigration-officers-wearing-masks

3.2 Health & Science: A New Direction on Vaccines and Scientific Integrity

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is spearheading a significant policy reorientation, announcing the U.S. will cease donations to global vaccine initiatives and appointing new advisers to broaden the “scrutiny of childhood vaccines” [1, 2]. His new CDC vaccine panel held its first meeting amid controversy after being “gutted” of a member just before the session [3]. A separate crisis of scientific integrity emerged after a scientist listed as an author on a CDC vaccine report claimed a study cited within it “does not exist” [4].

[1] RFK Jr. says US won’t donate to global vaccine effort, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/25/rfk-vaccine-donations-gavi-00422705
[2] Kennedy’s New Advisers to Broaden Scrutiny of Childhood Vaccines, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/health/vaccines-cdc-acip-kennedy.html
[3] Vaccine Panel Gutted by Kennedy Loses a Member Ahead of First Meeting, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/us/politics/rfk-jr-cdc-vaccine-panel.html
[4] CDC vaccine report cites study that does not exist, says scientist listed as author, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/24/cdc-vaccine-presentation-autism

3.3 Energy, Environmental, and Administrative Restructuring

The administration is pursuing major changes to environmental policy and agency structures. A revised Republican plan would authorize the sale of up to 1.2 million acres of public lands [1]. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has proposed a plan to eliminate “roadless” protections for 3.3 million acres of national forests in Wyoming [2]. The administration is also reportedly pursuing a plan to shutter FEMA, which a former agency head said would leave the nation “more vulnerable” [3]. A key figure has resigned from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old hired by Elon Musk, also known by the nickname “Big Balls” [4].

[1] Revised GOP plan would sell up to 1.2M acres of public lands, https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5369309-mike-lee-gop-budget-plan-public-lands-sale-trump-blm-national-forests/
[2] Trump’s ag boss is cutting 3.3M ‘roadless’ acres from 9 national forests in Wyoming, https://wyofile.com/trumps-ag-boss-is-cutting-3-3m-roadless-acres-from-9-national-forests-in-wyoming/
[3] Trump’s plan to shutter FEMA leaves U.S. ‘more vulnerable,’ says former head of agency, https://www.advocate.com/news/deanne-criswell-trump-fema-plan
[4] Key Member of Musk’s DOGE Resigns From Government. Edward Coristine, the 19-year-old who was hired by Elon Musk to help slash the government bureaucracy, became a public symbol of his team., https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/24/us/politics/big-balls-edward-coristine-musk-doge.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Rk8.zduH.uyxNPa2EnVFb&smid=url-share

4. Legislative and Judicial Confrontations

4.1 Congressional Battle Over Medicaid Cuts and GOP ‘Megabill’

A major GOP legislative package faces a potential blockade, as a group of House GOP moderates has informed leadership they will not back the bill if it contains proposed deep cuts to Medicaid [1]. Senator Mitch McConnell has reportedly dismissed these concerns, assuring colleagues that voters “‘will get over it’” [2]. Rural communities are bracing for the impact of the cuts, which prompted protests on Capitol Hill where demonstrators in wheelchairs were reportedly zip-tied and escorted from a congressional office building [3].

[1] House GOP moderates tell leadership they won’t back Senate tax bill over Medicaid cuts, https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5367133-house-gop-moderates-senate-tax-bill-medicaid-cuts/
[2] ‘They’ll get over it,’ McConnell reportedly assures GOP colleagues about Medicaid cuts, https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/06/24/theyll-get-over-it-mcconnell-reportedly-assures-gop-colleagues-about-medicaid-cuts/
[3] People in wheelchairs zip-tied and escorted out of Capitol Hill office building during Medicaid cuts protest, https://www.news5cleveland.com/politics/health-care/people-in-wheelchairs-zip-tied-and-escorted-out-of-us-capitol-during-medicaid-cuts-protest

4.2 Justice Department in the Spotlight

The Department of Justice has taken the unprecedented step of suing “Every Federal District Judge in Maryland” to overturn an order blocking the removal of certain immigrants, a move critics say challenges due process rights [1]. A whistleblower has also alleged that Trump’s DOJ told government lawyers to disobey direct court orders [2]. During his confirmation hearing, Trump court nominee Emil Bove was reportedly unable to state that Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election [3].

[1] DOJ Sues Every Federal District Judge in Maryland, Challenging Due Process Rights, https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/justice-department-sues-maryland-federal-district-judges-due-process/
[2] Whistleblower Alleges Trump’s DOJ Told Lawyers To Disobey Court Orders, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/emil-bove-doj-whistleblower_n_685ad3d0e4b0124a7193e4a7
[3] Trump Court Pick Emil Bove Can’t Say Joe Biden Won In 2020, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/emil-bove-trump-court-pick-biden-2020-election_n_685c2963e4b0c3bb7b657eb3

4.3 Federal Courts Check Executive Power on Multiple Fronts

Federal judges have issued several rulings that counter administration policies. One judge ordered President Trump to unfreeze funds designated for EV charging infrastructure [1]. Another judge halted the President’s executive order aimed at ending collective bargaining rights for many federal workers [2]. A third ruling ordered the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to halt grant terminations “effective immediately,” which is expected to reinstate funding for approximately 900 projects [3].

[1] Judge orders Trump to unfreeze EV charging infrastructure funds, https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/06/25/judge-orders-Trump-EV-funds/5531750838979/
[2] Federal judge halts Trump’s order to end collective bargaining rights for many federal workers, https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/24/politics/judge-halts-trump-order-collective-bargaining-federal-workers
[3] NIH halts grant terminations ‘effective immediately,’ email says: Federal judge directed agency last week to reinstate funding for about 900 projects, https://www.statnews.com/2025/06/25/nih-halts-research-grant-terminations-email-shows/

5. National Security and Political Landscape

5.1 Senator Schumer Hospitalized During D.C. Heatwave

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, 74, was rushed to a Washington D.C. hospital after experiencing a health incident during a severe heatwave [1]. The headlines did not provide further details on his medical condition or the circumstances of the incident.

[1] Chuck Schumer Rushed To D.C. Hospital During Brutal Heat Wave, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chuck-schumer-hospitalized-heat-wave_n_685c59e6e4b024434f98f1aa?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=us_main

5.2 Tensions and Concessions at NATO Summit

At the NATO summit, President Trump successfully pressured member states to increase military spending but also reopened debate on the validity of Article 5, the mutual defense clause [1]. A moment of high tension occurred when the President used an F-bomb during a rant, prompting NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to attempt de-escalation by bizarrely referring to him as “Daddy” [2].

[1] Article 5: Trump reopens debate on NATO’s mutual defence pledge, https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20250625-article-five-donald-trump-reopens-debate-nato-mutual-defence-pledge-usa
[2] NATO chief bizarrely calls Trump ‘daddy’ as he tries to brush off F-bomb rant, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/mark-rutte-trump-nato-daddy-b2776699.html

5.3 Other Political Developments

Conservative commentator Candace Owens has reversed her position on Donald Trump, stating she is “’embarrassed’” she supported him [1]. In Pennsylvania, a new poll shows Senator John Fetterman is now more popular with Republican voters than with Democrats [2]. Elon Musk’s unpopularity is reported to have hit an “all-time high” after his departure from the administration [3].

[1] Candace Owens says she’s ’embarrassed’ she supported Trump, https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5367995-candace-owens-says-shes-embarrassed-she-supported-trump/?tbref=hp
[2] Sen. Fetterman more popular with Pa. Republicans than Democrats: poll, https://www.pennlive.com/news/2025/06/sen-fetterman-more-popular-with-pa-republicans-than-democrats-poll.html
[3] Elon Musk’s unpopularity hits all-time high after leaving Trump admin, https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musks-unpopularity-hits-all-time-high-after-leaving-trump-admin-2090695