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Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a rare Iran briefing on Tuesday afternoon to the "Gang of Eight," or the congressional leaders typically informed of sensitive intelligence and covert operations. CIA Director John Ratcliffe's attendance as a ninth official sparked speculation about potential military action. Journalist Adam Cochran suggested Ratcliffe's presence signaled either an imminent or already-executed U.S. attack, speculating Trump could announce strikes during his State of the Union address. Cochran wrote: "Wouldn't surprise me to see something like 3pm briefing -> 5pm initial strikes after market closure -> announce strikes + larger campaign tonight to MAGA cheers." The briefing comes amid a massive U.S. military buildup near Iran—the largest mobilization since the 2003 Iraq invasion. According to Axios, Trump appears ready to launch an attack, with diplomatic negotiations over Iran's weapons capabilities having reached an impasse.

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As President Donald Trump's approval ratings decline, his fundraising appeals have grown increasingly desperate, employing messaging with implicit threats against supporters who don't contribute financially. According to Salon analyst Chauncey DeVega, Trump seeks both money and personal affirmation that his MAGA base remains loyal as broader support erodes. Recent fundraising emails contain veiled intimidation, including a message asking, "Does ICE need to come and track you down?" DeVega characterizes the appeals as part of a menacing campaign, likening Trump to "an obsessed former lover" who claims to love supporters while expressing hurt that they ignore his emails and calls. Political psychologist Steven Ducat describes the dynamic as cult-like, creating what researchers call a "trauma bond" where the leader is both source of fear and protector. DeVega warns Trump will likely intensify control over his base as his overall support continues declining.

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President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social Monday night that California Gov. Gavin Newsom had dropped out of the 2028 presidential race, a campaign Newsom has not confirmed running for. The post came after MAGA supporters criticized Newsom over comments they interpreted as disparaging Black people. Trump wrote: "Wow! Gavin Newscum just dropped out of the Presidential Race!!! President DJT." Analysts and observers expressed bewilderment at the false claim. Journalist Oscar Gonzalez posted, "Trump just blinked. He's scared." University of Florida political science professor Michael McDonald suggested Newsom could now "declare Trump just resigned." Economist Sky Marchini referenced Trump's "AI-generated reality." Trump's post coincided with declining approval ratings as midterms approached. When asked about polls showing his 40 percent approval, Trump dismissed them as "wrong" and claimed his actual approval was "much higher" without evidence.

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Rep. Robert García (D-CA) accused the Trump administration Tuesday of illegally withholding FBI interviews with a survivor who accused President Trump of sexual assault on a minor. After reviewing unredacted files at DOJ headquarters, García stated that Oversight Democrats have confirmed the DOJ appears to have illegally withheld these interviews. García announced that Oversight Democrats will open a parallel investigation into the matter. The DOJ has faced criticism for weeks for scrubbing files from its public Epstein database, particularly documents containing allegations against Trump, including evidence that Ghislaine Maxwell may have possessed blackmail on the president. García emphasized that under the Oversight Committee's subpoena and the Epstein Files Transparency Act, these records must be immediately shared with Congress and the public. An NPR report corroborated García's claims, finding the DOJ scrubbed "dozens of pages."

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President Trump faces obstacles from his own Justice Department as his administration attempts to avoid refunding over $170 billion in tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling. The Court determined Trump illegally used emergency economic powers but did not specify whether refunds were required. However, previous DOJ arguments could undermine efforts to block repayment. Government lawyers previously promised plaintiffs would "assuredly receive payment on their refund with interest" if they won, and trade lawyers expect judges to hold the administration to those promises. More than 1,500 tariff refund lawsuits are already pending. The DOJ stated it would not oppose the trade court's authority to order officials to recalculate tariffs and refund differences. Though the DOJ later added language conditioning its endorsement on a "final and unappealable decision," trade lawyers questioned what legal grounds could justify withholding refunds the Supreme Court found unlawfully taken.

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President Trump called House Speaker Mike Johnson Sunday night with a last-minute demand to add guests to his State of the Union address, scheduled for Tuesday. Johnson revealed at a Capitol press conference that Trump requested changes shortly after the U.S. men's hockey team defeated Canada at the Olympics. When Johnson asked how many additional guests Trump wanted, the president responded, "I think the whole team." Johnson acknowledged the gallery was already full with a waiting list but committed to "squeeze in the hockey players tonight." Critics have noted the address comes amid challenges including the Supreme Court's tariff ruling against Trump and his administration's controversial handling of the Epstein files investigation. Some predict Trump may lash out at justices or complain about feeling unappreciated. Meanwhile, numerous Democratic lawmakers plan to skip the address entirely, hosting an alternative "People's State of the Union" event instead.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt avoided addressing contradictory Trump administration statements about Iran's nuclear program Tuesday. Last June, Trump boasted that Operation Midnight Hammer "obliterated" Iran's nuclear facilities. Yet Special Envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News Saturday that Iran was "probably a week away from having industrial-grade bomb-making material." When confronted with this contradiction, Leavitt backed Trump's claim while attacking the media for relying on anonymous sources rather than directly addressing Witkoff's remarks. Leavitt stated the operation was successful but acknowledged Iran could attempt to rebuild its nuclear program. She claimed Trump prioritizes diplomacy while criticizing media speculation about potential military action. Her comments come amid a massive U.S. military buildup near Iran, the largest since the 2003 Iraq invasion, with reports suggesting Trump is prepared to launch an attack.

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Retired Judge Thomas G. Moukawsher warned that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas broke from all his colleagues by arguing Congress can constitutionally delegate virtually all its powers to the president. Writing in Newsweek, Moukawsher expressed alarm at Thomas's position, which emerged during the Court's 6-3 tariff ruling against Trump, in which Thomas dissented. The majority, led by Chief Justice John Roberts, rejected Trump's claim to unilaterally impose tariffs without Congressional authorization. Moukawsher criticized the 164-page decision for not directly addressing whether Congress could constitutionally allow "presidential dictatorship." He emphasized that such delegation would "effectively eliminate Congress and undermine democracy itself." Justice Neil Gorsuch came closest to addressing the danger, asserting that legislative consensus produces wiser taxation policy than individual presidential judgment. Moukawsher expressed relief that Thomas stood alone in his extreme position.

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The Justice Department's disorganized rollout of millions of Epstein files has exposed sensitive information about vulnerable victims, including the identity of a woman who accused President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her as a child, according to investigative journalist Roger Sollenberger. The woman's name appeared in at least one document that was later redacted, but another identifying detail remains unredacted in the database. She is uniquely marked "PROTECT SOURCE" in case files, a designation given to no other victim or witness. An FBI email lists Trump as the first name among "positive case hits," noting that "one identified victim claimed abuse by Trump but ultimately refused to cooperate." The woman cited "fear of retaliation" in her FBI interview. She settled a 2019 lawsuit against Epstein's estate but did not publicly name Trump. The DOJ withheld three FBI notes despite stating they could legally be released.

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CNN senior White House correspondent Kristen Holmes warned that President Trump's State of the Union speech could repel Americans if he expresses frustration about not receiving sufficient credit for his actions. Holmes noted that Trump has grown increasingly frustrated over perceived lack of appreciation, and if that frustration surfaces during the address, it could turn voters off. This warning comes as Trump's approval ratings have reached historic lows. According to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS, only 32 percent of Americans believe Trump has the right priorities, while 68 percent say he hasn't addressed the country's most important problems. Additionally, 61 percent of Americans say Trump's policies move the country in the wrong direction, and his overall job approval rating among all adults stands at just 36 percent.

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President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda is devastating the Rio Grande Valley economy, threatening to reverse Republican electoral gains in the traditionally Democratic region — which Trump had flipped. ICE raids targeting construction sites have arrested framers, drywallers, and stucco crews, crippling the building industry. Ronnie Cavazos, president of the South Texas Builders Association, warned the raids "will put us out of business if it continues." Mario Guerrero, executive director of the association, predicted: "The Valley will never be red again. At least not anytime soon." Construction, retail, real estate, and hospitality sectors are collapsing as the undocumented workforce that anchors the economy faces deportation. An NBC News poll shows 60 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump's immigration handling. About 23 percent of Texas construction workers are undocumented, with Rio Grande Valley's percentage significantly higher.

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Harvard Law School professor Richard J. Lazarus argues that Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh occupies a unique position following the 6-3 tariff ruling against Trump and should use his current favor with the president to defend the Court's institutional integrity. Trump praised Kavanaugh as his "new hero" on Truth Social, likely because the justice's dissent sympathized with Trump's tariff refund concerns. Trump subsequently attacked the other justices in the majority, calling them "fools and lapdogs," "a disgrace," and "slimeballs." Lazarus urged Kavanaugh to issue a formal statement supporting the Court and his colleagues' integrity, even when disagreeing with rulings. Using a bullying analogy, Lazarus emphasized that when those in a bully's community distance themselves, the bully loses power. He concluded that Kavanaugh can affirm his allegiance to promoting the rule of law.

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President Trump made accusations against six Supreme Court justices who ruled against his tariff policies, prompting "Morning Joe" co-host Joe Scarborough to have producers cut the clip on Monday morning. During a Friday White House press conference, Trump expressed shame at justices lacking "courage to do what's right for our country." Trump subsequently accused the justices of being under foreign influence. Scarborough responded with skepticism, questioning whether Trump's accusation represented projection or a confession. He characterized Trump's rant as "the most Orwellian thing" and noted the Wall Street Journal called it the low point of his presidency. Scarborough emphasized that Trump owes the Supreme Court and individual justices an apology for smearing them. He suggested Trump's behavior demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of judicial independence and institutional integrity.

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