[Thursday, June 26] US News Headlines from r/politics

This is an experimental AI project. We are continuously improving it, but errors can still appear. Feel free to contact us if you spot an error.

OVERVIEW

The nation is confronting several simultaneous, high-stakes crises. A landmark Supreme Court ruling has fundamentally altered the landscape for healthcare funding, permitting states to block Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood and triggering immediate political and social reverberations. On Capitol Hill, the Republican majority’s signature legislative package—a cornerstone of the administration’s fiscal agenda—has collapsed after a critical Senate procedural ruling, sparking a revolt among the president’s base. Concurrently, the fallout from U.S. military strikes on Iran has grown dangerously volatile, marked by a major intelligence leak, furious denials from the White House, and a surprise diplomatic overture. This is set against a backdrop of new data pointing to a contracting U.S. economy. In domestic politics, the upset victory of a progressive candidate in the New York City mayoral primary has sent shockwaves through both parties, creating deep turmoil within the Democratic establishment and providing a new line of attack for Republicans.

1. Judiciary and Legal Affairs

1.1 Supreme Court Rules States Can Defund Planned Parenthood

In a watershed decision, the Supreme Court has ruled that states have the authority to block Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers [1]. The ruling, which upheld a South Carolina law, effectively negates what was previously understood as a patient’s ‘right’ for Medicaid recipients to choose their own medical provider [2]. The decision drew a forceful dissent from Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who wrote that the Court is actively “stymying” civil rights and stripping recipients of “a deeply personal freedom: the ‘ability to decide who treats us at our most vulnerable’” [3].

[1] States can cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood, the Supreme Court rules, https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-planned-parenthood-abortion-medicaid-e056395b9e5646d13539e76605027a1f
[2] Supreme Court rules against Planned Parenthood in patient rights case, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/26/supreme-court-planned-parenthood-medicaid-south-carolina/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com
[3] Ketanji Brown Jackson Rips Supreme Court for “Stymying” Civil Rights - The Court “will strip those South Carolinians—and countless other Medicaid recipients around the country—of a deeply personal freedom: the ‘ability to decide who treats us at our most vulnerable.’”, https://newrepublic.com/post/197309/ketanji-brown-jackson-rips-supreme-court-stymying-civil-rights-abortion-medicaid

1.2 Other Major Legal Developments

The Supreme Court is set to issue rulings on six other cases on the final day of its term, most notably a case concerning the future of birthright citizenship [1]. In an unprecedented legal maneuver, the Trump administration has taken the step of suing every federal judge in the state of Maryland over a court order that blocked the administration’s efforts to remove certain immigrants [2]. In a separate matter, Kenneth Chesebro, identified as the “architect” of the pro-Trump 2020 “fake elector scheme,” has been formally disbarred in New York for misconduct that a judicial panel concluded undercut “the very notion of our constitutional democracy” [3].

[1] Supreme Court is set to issue rulings on birthright citizenship and five other cases on term’s final day, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-rulings-birthright-citizenship-5-cases-final-day-rcna215246
[2] Trump administration sues every federal judge in Maryland, https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/06/25/doj-sues-maryland-judges/
[3] Kenneth Chesebro, ‘architect’ of pro-Trump 2020 fake elector scheme, disbarred in N.Y. A judicial panel said the lawyer’s misconduct undercut “the very notion of our constitutional democracy that he, as an attorney, swore an oath to uphold.”, https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/kenneth-chesebro-disbarred-new-york-fake-elector-scheme-rcna215357

2. Congressional Affairs

2.1 GOP “Big, Beautiful Bill” Fails in Senate

The Republican majority’s signature legislative package has collapsed, throwing the administration’s fiscal agenda into disarray. The Senate Parliamentarian dealt a “huge blow” to the effort by ruling that its proposed cuts to Medicaid—designed to offset trillions in tax breaks—do not comply with the Byrd Rule for budget reconciliation [1]. In a decisive move, Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced he will not use his authority to overrule the “Senate referee” on the matter, effectively blocking the provision from the fast-track process and jeopardizing the entire bill [2]. This comes as the Congressional Budget Office had already determined the House-passed version of the bill would add trillions to the national debt, even when accounting for projected economic growth [3].

[1] Senate Parliamentarian Deals Huge Blow To Critical Part Of GOP’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/parliamentarian-medicaid-cuts-provider-tax_n_685d4229e4b0f78c573833aa?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=us_main
[2] Thune says he won’t overrule Senate referee on Medicaid cuts, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5371008-thune-senate-parliamentarian-medicaid/?email=066c0990fa413d52c3842f29a42abb22ffa00eae&emaila=02c3337a6605235631b8cab2e023d54e&emailb=e0d37ab6f97ed06914f0e75a1ebed673001a81f7f84978ff9209f3e23f7ba5d3
[3] House-passed Trump bill would add trillions to debt even when accounting for growth: CBO, https://thehill.com/business/5355957-trump-tax-cut-bill-adds-debt/

2.2 Political Fallout and Intra-Party Fissures

The legislative failure has triggered significant political backlash, with reports of a “MAGA Revolt” against President Trump over the bill’s collapse as Republican leadership “scrambles” for alternatives [1]. The proposed cuts had already faced significant internal resistance, with multiple GOP senators “pushing back hard” against them [2]. In a separate criticism, former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell labeled the administration “unnecessarily chaotic” while making the politically risky claim that voters will “get over” losing Medicaid benefits [3].

[1] Trump Faces MAGA Revolt as Big Beautiful Bill Blows Up Over Medicaid, https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-faces-maga-revolt-as-big-beautiful-bill-blows-up-over-medicaid/
[2] GOP senators push back hard on Medicaid cuts, endangering Trump bill, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5369986-medicaid-cuts-republican-senators/
[3] Mitch McConnell says voters will ‘get over’ losing Medicaid. That’s a risky bet., https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/mitch-mcconnell-medicaid-cuts-get-over-it-rcna214978

3. Foreign Policy and National Security

3.1 Iran Crisis: Intel Leaks, Admin Fury, and a Diplomatic Overture

The situation surrounding recent U.S. strikes on Iran is highly volatile, characterized by conflicting intelligence, a major leak, and a surprise diplomatic maneuver.

• Conflicting Assessments & Intel Leak: A major public dispute has erupted over the results of the strikes. While Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated “new intelligence” confirms the destruction of Iranian facilities, this conflicts with early European intelligence assessments indicating Iran’s uranium stockpile remains “largely intact” [1, 2]. This has been compounded by a significant intelligence leak, which has reportedly “enraged” President Trump and led to DNI Gabbard being dropped from a key intelligence briefing [3].
• White House Reaction: Both the President and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are described as “melting down” over the leaks and have furiously lashed out at the media coverage [4]. In a direct attack, President Trump publicly called for the firing of a CNN reporter over her story on the strikes, stating she should be “thrown out like a dog” [5].
• Surprise Diplomatic Move: Amid the turmoil, President Trump announced the U.S. will hold nuclear talks with Iran next week, though he immediately tempered this by declaring that a formal nuclear deal with Iran is “not necessary” [6].

[1] Gabbard: ‘New intelligence’ confirms Iranian nuclear facilities destroyed, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5369572-gabbard-iran-nuclear-capabilities-strikes/
[2] Early intelligence suggests Iran’s uranium largely intact, European officials say. Preliminary assessments indicate Tehran was able to move much of its stockpile, https://www.ft.com/content/0808eeb8-341c-4a4e-8ccf-0db07febef91
[3] Gabbard Dropped From Intelligence Briefing as Trump Rages Over Leak, https://www.thedailybeast.com/tulsi-gabbard-dropped-from-intelligence-briefing-as-trump-rages-over-leak/
[4] Trump and Hegseth are Melting Down Over Leaked Iran Strike Intel | The president and his Pentagon chief have furiously lashed out at the media for not sufficiently praising the strikes, https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/trump-hegseth-melt-down-leaked-iran-strike-intel-1235373030/
[5] Trump Angrily Calls for CNN to Fire Reporter Over Story on Iran Nuclear Strikes: She Should Be ‘Thrown Out Like a Dog’, https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/trump-cnn-fire-reporter-iran-nuclear-strikes-thrown-out-like-a-dog-1236440458/
[6] Trump says US to hold nuclear talks with Iran next week, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/fragile-ceasefire-holding-trump-envoy-says-peace-talks-with-iran-promising-2025-06-25/

3.2 A Broader Realignment of U.S. Global Posture

The administration is actively withdrawing from key international commitments. A Republican-sponsored bill advanced by Senator Mike Lee would facilitate a U.S. withdrawal from the NATO alliance [1]. The White House is also seeking deep funding cuts for international war crimes investigations [2]. In a major global health policy shift, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the U.S. is pulling all funding from Gavi, the global vaccine alliance [3].

[1] US to withdraw from NATO under Republican Bill, https://www.newsweek.com/nato-us-withdraw-senator-mike-lee-republican-effort-2090914
[2] White House wants deep cut in US funding for war crimes investigations, sources say, https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/white-house-wants-major-cut-us-war-crimes-accountability-funding-sources-say-2025-06-26/
[3] RFK Jr. says U.S. will stop funding global vaccine group over ‘vaccine safety’ issues, https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/06/25/g-s1-74554/rfk-jr-vaccine-safety-gavi

4. The Executive Branch: Power, Policy, and Personnel

4.1 Health & Science Policy Under RFK Jr.

Under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Department of Health and Human Services is pursuing a series of controversial policy reversals that have drawn a firestorm of criticism. A new vaccine panel he leads has called “all childhood vaccines in question” [1]. The panel also issued a “shock” vote to endorse only preservative-free flu shots, a move U.S. pediatricians immediately labeled “truly an embarrassment” [2]. Kennedy’s decision to halt U.S. funding for the Gavi vaccine alliance has led public health experts to warn that he will be “personally responsible” for future children’s deaths [3]. He has also reportedly proposed that all Americans wear health-tracking devices, a plan raising immediate “concerns” among security experts [4].

[1] All childhood vaccines in question after first meeting of RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel, https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/06/all-childhood-vaccines-in-question-after-first-meeting-of-rfk-jr-s-vaccine-panel/
[2] RFK Jr’s new vaccine panel votes against preservative in flu shots in shock move, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/26/rfk-flu-shot-vaccines-panel
[3] RFK Jr will be ‘personally responsible’ for children’s deaths by halting vaccine alliance funding, experts say, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/26/rfk-jr-vaccines
[4] RFK Jr. Wants All Americans To Wear Health-Tracking Devices — Security Experts Have ‘Concerns’, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rfk-jr-smartwatch-monitor-dangers_l_685c1435e4b0c3bb7b65640c?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=us_main

4.2 Expansion of Executive Power & Agency Issues

The executive branch is actively expanding its authority. President Trump secured “golden share” power in the U.S. Steel buyout, granting the government unique control over corporate decisions [1]. The administration’s use of federal troops for a drug raid near Los Angeles has been labeled an “alarming escalation” by observers [2]. On the personnel front, the EEOC has fired an administrative judge who resisted a presidential order on gender identity [3]. Concerns are also growing over agency capabilities, with reports that past DOGE-driven budget cuts could weaken the response to the Iran crisis, and a critical hurricane forecast tool has been abruptly terminated [4, 5].

[1] Trump gets ‘golden share’ power in US Steel buyout. US agencies will get it under future presidents, https://apnews.com/article/trump-us-steel-nippon-golden-share-pittsburgh-china-7981a41d2e518fad07c347042f9fdc38
[2] Trump’s Use of Federal Troops in Drug Raid Outside of Los Angeles: An Alarming Escalation, https://www.justsecurity.org/115545/federalized-national-guard-drug-raids/
[3] A judge resisted Trump’s order on gender identity. The EEOC just fired her., https://apnews.com/article/transgender-discrimination-trump-gender-eeoc-28901a16c60b789404ebaa18f7ecf73b
[4] DOGE-driven cuts could weaken administration’s ability to handle Iran conflict, https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/26/politics/doge-cuts-iran-strike
[5] Critical hurricane forecast tool abruptly terminated, https://www.local10.com/weather/hurricane/2025/06/26/critical-hurricane-forecast-tool-abruptly-terminated/

5. Domestic Politics and Elections

5.1 NYC Mayoral Primary Upends Political Landscape

The Democratic primary victory of Zohran Mamdani in New York City has been called a “political earthquake” [1]. Mamdani defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in an upset that has left Wall Street figures “alarmed” and caused a “meltdown” within the Democratic establishment, with top donors reportedly working against him and party leaders stopping short of a full endorsement [2, 3]. The win has emboldened the party’s left flank, with some now calling for primary challenges against senior figures like Leader Schumer and Leader Jeffries [4].

[1] Zohran Mamdani has unleashed a political earthquake, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/26/zohran-mamdani-political-earthquake
[2] Zohran Mamdani’s victory in NYC mayoral primary leaves Wall Street ‘alarmed’ and ‘depressed’, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/25/mamdanis-nyc-victory-leaves-wall-street-alarmed-and-depressed.html
[3] Democratic establishment melts down over Mamdani’s win in New York, https://www.axios.com/2025/06/26/democrats-zohran-mamdani-meltdown-new-york
[4] Zohran Mamdani Defeated a Corrupt, Weak Democratic Party Establishment | Mamdani laid out the strategy. Now the left should follow his example and primary Ritchie Torres, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, and so many others., https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/zohran-mamdani-democratic-party-establishment/

5.2 Republican Response and Broader Political Context

The Republican response has been swift and aggressive. President Trump attacked Mamdani as a “‘100% Communist Lunatic’” [1]. Some far-right groups and a sitting GOP congressman have issued what have been described as “Islamophobic” calls for Mamdani’s citizenship to be revoked and for his deportation [2]. Strategists are already seeking to “tie vulnerable Dems to Mamdani” in upcoming elections [3]. In broader political analysis, a Pew Research Center study of validated voters from the 2024 election concludes that President Trump’s victory was supported by a “more racially and ethnically diverse voter coalition” than in his previous campaigns [4].

[1] Melting Down Over NYC Mayoral Primary, Trump Calls Mamdani ‘100% Communist Lunatic’ | “Trump attacking Mamdani is basically an endorsement at this point,” said one social media user., http://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-mamdani
[2] Republicans are calling on Trump to revoke Mamdani’s citizenship and deport him | New York Young Republican Club and far-right Republicans demand his removal and the return of Red Scare-era McCarthyism, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/zohran-mamdani-trump-deportation-citizenship-b2777570.html
[3] GOP strategists, lawmakers seek to tie vulnerable Dems to Mamdani following NYC primary win, https://jewishinsider.com/2025/06/zohran-mamdani-gop-strategists-campaign-ads-democrats/
[4] Behind Trump’s 2024 Victory, a More Racially and Ethnically Diverse Voter Coalition | A study of the 2024 election, based on validated voters, https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2025/06/26/behind-trumps-2024-victory-a-more-racially-and-ethnically-diverse-voter-coalition/

6. The U.S. Economy

6.1 Economic Headwinds and Negative Indicators

Data indicates the economy is facing significant headwinds. The U.S. economy shrank “much faster” in the first quarter than previously reported, contracting by 0.5% [1]. This is coupled with a drop in U.S. consumer confidence and reports that college graduates are facing the “toughest job market in more than a decade” [2, 3]. The U.S. dollar has fallen to a three-year low, a drop linked to reports that President Trump may name his choice for the next Federal Reserve chair early in a bid to undermine Jerome Powell [4]. Separately, new figures show the U.S. merchandise-trade deficit “unexpectedly” widened after goods exports tumbled by the most since 2020, with the President’s tariffs cited as a disrupting factor [5].

[1] The US economy shrank much faster in the first quarter than previously reported, https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/26/economy/us-gdp-q1-final
[2] US Consumer Confidence Drops on Broad Concerns About Economy, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-24/us-consumer-confidence-retreats-on-broad-economic-concerns
[3] College graduates face toughest job market in more than a decade as hiring slows, https://apnews.com/article/college-graduates-job-market-unemployment-c5e881d0a5c069de08085a47fa58f90f?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=share
[4] Dollar falls to three-year low after report Trump may name next Fed chair early, https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jun/26/us-dollar-falls-to-three-year-low-after-report-trump-may-name-next-fed-chair-early
[5] US goods exports tumble by most since 2020 as Trump’s tariffs disrupt trade, https://www.ft.com/content/a2a4ef7c-3971-471c-99e4-3d806cf6b0b1

7. Immigration and Border Security

7.1 Intensified Enforcement & New Policies

The administration is escalating its hardline immigration posture. The federal government has established two new, expanded military zones along the U.S. border with Mexico [1]. An official has confirmed the Department of Justice coordinated with the Texas Attorney General’s office to “kill” the Texas Dream Act [2]. Active enforcement is ongoing, with reports of ICE raids in Los Angeles primarily arresting men “with no criminal conviction” [3]. High-profile cases include the self-deportation of a Purple Heart army veteran who said he was being targeted by the administration [4]. In the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, judges expressed strong skepticism of administration arguments, with one saying the government’s position “defies logic” [5].

[1] U.S. Is Creating 2 New Expanded Military Zones Along Border With Mexico, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/us/politics/us-is-creating-2-new-expanded-military-zones-along-border-with-mexico.html
[2] DOJ coordinated with Texas AG to kill Texas Dream Act, Trump official says, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/doj-coordinated-texas-ag-kill-texas-dream-act-trump-official-says-rcna214871
[3] Most nabbed in L.A. raids were men with no criminal conviction, picked up off the street, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-24/detention-centers-swell-with-immigrants-with-no-criminal-record?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_latimes
[4] Purple heart army veteran self-deports after 50 years from ‘country I fought for’ - Green card holder Sae Joon Park left for South Korea after saying he was being targeted by Trump administration, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/26/trump-immigration-veteran-self-deports
[5] Judge Ridicules Trump Admin In Kilmar Abrego Garcia Case: ‘Defies Logic’, https://www.newsweek.com/judge-trump-kilmar-abrego-garcia-logic-2090945

7.2 Surveillance & Civil Liberties

Enforcement is being augmented with new technology. Leaked emails confirm that ICE is now using a new facial recognition application to identify individuals [1]. A new app called “ICERaid” has surfaced that reportedly offers cryptocurrency to users who report individuals they suspect of being “illegal immigrants” [2]. These developments are facing resistance; the News Guild and the ACLU have filed a joint lawsuit against the government, alleging assaults by ICE agents on journalists [3]. In a separate tragic event, a Canadian citizen has reportedly died while in ICE custody in Florida [4].

[1] ICE Is Using a New Facial Recognition App to Identify People, Leaked Emails Show, https://www.404media.co/ice-is-using-a-new-facial-recognition-app-to-identify-people-leaked-emails-show/
[2] ICERaid: The App That Asks You To Report Illegal Immigrants For Crypto, https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/iceraid-the-app-that-asks-you-to-report-illegal-immigrants-for-crypto
[3] News Guild, ACLU sue government over ICE assaults on journalists, https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/news-guild-aclu-sue-government-over-ice-assaults-on-journalists/
[4] Canadian citizen dies while in U.S. ICE custody in Florida, https://globalnews.ca/news/11262681/canadian-dead-ice-custody-florida/