Trump administration underestimated Iran war's impact on Strait of Hormuz  —  The Middle East Donald Trump Oil & gas Economy  —  The Pentagon and National Security Council significantly underestimated Iran's willingness to close the Strait of Hormuz in response to US military strikes …

US has burned through ‘years’ of munitions since start of Iran war  —  Rapid depletion of stockpile including Tomahawk missiles raises pressure on Trump over cost of conflict  —  The Trump administration has burned through “years” of critical munitions since the start of the war with Iran …

Consumer Prices Rose in January, Before Iran War Added Price Pressures  —  The economy also grew more slowly at the end of 2025 than first thought, revised data showed.  —  Economic growth was slower at the end of 2025 than data first showed and inflationary pressures persisted at the start of this year …

All 6 crew members killed in crash of American KC-135 refueling aircraft in Iraq, U.S. military confirms  —  Add CBS News on Google  —  The U.S. military's Central Command confirmed Friday that all six U.S. service members were killed the previous day when an aerial refueling aircraft taking part …

What we know about the armed attack on Michigan synagogue  —  Police responded to reports of an active shooter opening fire on Thursday at Temple Israel, a reform synagogue located in the Detroit suburbs.  —  Investigators said a man armed with a rifle drove into the building before security guards shot and killed him.

Trump Removes Sanctions on Russia to Help Oil Flow Amid Iran Conflict  —  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it was “unfortunate” that the move could benefit Russia, but maintained that it was only for the short term.  —  The United States on Thursday temporarily lifted sanctions …

Vance was ‘skeptical’ voice in White House on Iran strikes … A second senior Trump official said “his role is to provide the president and the administration, you know, all points of views of what could happen from many different angles and, you know, he does that.  But once the decision has been made, he's fully on board.”

MAGA's Indiana retribution campaign heats up  —  With help from Eli Okun, Ali Bianco, Irie Sentner and Makayla Gray  —  On today's Playbook Podcast: Adam and Megan Messerly discuss President Donald Trump's high-cost, low-stakes political revenge campaign in deep-red Indiana, and how VP JD Vance really feels about the Iran war.

Florida's Legislature passes its version of SAVE America Act.  But there's a catch. … “What is our tolerance for fraud and lack of integrity?” said state Sen. Erin Grall, a Vero Beach Republican and sponsor of the bill.  “Yes, we have safe elections in Florida, but they don't stay safe …

Dark money group offers influencers $1,500 for posts attacking Chicago Democratic primary candidate  —  Progressive House candidate Kat Abughazaleh told MS NOW the secretive campaign is “filled with false and defamatory claims.”  —  A week out from a crowded and contentious Democratic primary …

Trump names new head of VOA's parent agency after court ruling against Kari Lake  —  Sarah Rogers, Trump's nominee, has led the administration's campaign against E.U. and U.K. regulation of online hate speech and misinformation.  —  President Donald Trump nominated a senior State Department official Thursday …

Why China could emerge a winner from Trump's global energy shock  —  China's evolution into an “electrostate” may help insulate it from spiking oil prices.  —  As the threat of strikes by Iran forces oil tankers destined for Asia to idle in the Persian Gulf, some top Republicans have declared …

Palantir CEO Makes Shocking Confession on Disrupting Democratic Power … Palantir CEO Alex Karp thinks his AI technology will lessen the power of “highly educated, often female voters, who vote mostly Democrat” while increasing the power of working-class men.

Hegseth's Boasts of ‘Maximum’ Engagement Authorities Face Scrutiny After School Is Hit  —  The defense secretary has disparaged restrictive rules for opening fire that are aimed at reducing the risk of mistakes and civilian casualties.  —  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made contempt for what he calls …

The Secret Police Playbook  —  Since the Pendleton Act of 1883, the U.S. federal government has rested on a simple promise: professionalism, merit-based recruitment, independent oversight.  Over time, U.S. federal law enforcement became a global reference point—effective, technically sophisticated …

I graphed every president's approval rating during “rally around the flag” events  —  From World War II to Trump's bombing of Iran, only a handful of historical conflicts produced clear jumps in presidential approval.  The Iran strikes look like the latest case of a non-bump

How Trump hacked the judiciary  —  PN is supported by paid subscribers.  Become one ⬇️  —  📊 Subscribe to PN 📊  —  There's no question that the Department of Justice is an absolute shambles under Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Trump …