Morning Report

Republicans on Capitol Hill are divided over the best path forward after the Supreme Court rejected President Trump’s effort to restrict birthright citizenship through his Day 1 executive order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump and his allies on Capitol Hill are intensifying pressure to pass a key voting requirements bill after the Supreme Court’s surprise ruling allowed states to continue accepting mail-in ballots after polls close in federal races on Election Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court is expected to wrap up its term this week, with eight cases still awaiting rulings, including some of the most intensely debated of the past year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump is notching significant wins with the Supreme Court, demonstrating just how consequential it was that he was able to appoint three justices during his first term. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fate of a bipartisan housing bill and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act are up in the air after President Trump’s tense meeting with Senate Republicans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democrat led the hard left wing of the Democratic Party to sweeping victories on Tuesday night as democratic socialist and progressive candidates backed by Him rolled to huge wins in several hotly contested Democratic primaries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) led the hard left wing of the Democratic Party to sweeping victories on Tuesday night as democratic socialist and progressive candidates backed by him rolled to huge wins in several hotly contested Democratic primaries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dem battle lines tested in primaries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran talks kick off in Switzerland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sixty-day Iran clock begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran peace plan widely panned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump defeats Kemp in proxy battle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump is casting a shadow over the District of Columbia as the city’s voters head to the polls for what may be the most consequential primary elections in more than a decade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran peace deal to be signed Friday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12:30 REPORT 12:30 REPORT June 12, 2026 | By Cate Martel Today in DC: ☀️ 92° View Online | Sign up Happy Friday!! U.S. men’s soccer plays tonight at 9 p.m. EDT! ⚽ Trump touts Iran peace progress, met with skepticism GOP scoffs at 3rd Trump reconciliation bill US spy powers to expire as World Cup starts World Cup tidbits and specials SpaceX IPOs, making Elon Musk world’s first trillionaire 🎤 IN THE WHITE HOUSEThese updates are feeling a bit like a broken record: Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press President Trump says that as of Thursday, the U.S. and Iran had nearly finalized a new framework for a peace deal. But Iran somewhat disagrees with that assessment, indicting it hasn’t “reached a final conclusion” in negotiations. SOME SKEPTICISM TO TRUMP’S PEACE PROGRESS: On the right: Conservative pundit Tucker Carlson joked that Trump is “overselling” the war in Iran like an “all-you-can-eat buffet in Atlantic City.” “And so it’s tempting to kind of lay all the blame at Trump’s feet, and on one level, it is all his fault. He decided to do this,” Carlson added. “Whatever pressures he faced, it was his decision, and he has oversold America’s position in this, and he is, in some very real way, not good at this.” On the left: Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) questioned Trump’s account of the negotiations with Iran. “This is the problem when the president squanders his credibility by telling falsehood after falsehood throughout this presidency and his last, and that is the American people really don’t know when to believe him,” Schiff said on CNN’s “The Source.” “And I don’t think there’s anything strategic about that ambiguity,” he told host Kaitlan Collins. “It doesn’t make us stronger that we can’t trust our own president.” 💬 Follow today’s live blog Trump’s next intel director is…President Trump announced on Thursday his next pick for director of national intelligence: former Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Jay Clayton. Keep in mind: Clayton has been floated for several roles, including attorney general. Does this mean Bill Pulte is out?: No, Pulte will still take over as the acting director on June 19 until Clayton is nominated. Does this clear the Democratic holdup over renewing spy powers?: Democrats withheld their support for renewing the U.S.’s warrantless spy powers over their opposition to Bill Pulte, Trump’s pick for acting director of the intelligence community. Pulte has no intel experience. But no, this was not enough to satisfy Democrats. ⏱️ ON CAPITOL HILL Republicans senators are in no mood to do this again: “Senate Republicans say they are in no mood to back President Trump’s demand that Congress use the budget reconciliation process a third time to provide another $350 billion to the Pentagon,” reports The Hill’s Alexander Bolton. Why?: “The GOP senators, who just slogged through an overnight 18-hour series of votes last week to pass a $70 billion package funding immigration enforcement operations, say a third process would put their vulnerable GOP colleagues in a tough political position.” It’s not clear whether Senate Republicans could even pull together 50 votes to pass another reconciliation bill. Vulnerable Republicans are in a tough spot — and frustrations are building over the war in Iran and the economy. Read Bolton’s reporting on the feeling in the Senate: ‘Senate GOP balks at Trump demand to boost defense funding in third reconciliation bill’ FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH: Republican Sens. Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and Susan Collins (Maine) seemed skeptical at a hearing earlier this week at the prospect of a third reconciliation. SEN. CORNYN SEES A ROUGH TWO YEARS FOR TRUMP: In an interview with The New York Times, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) predicted the two years after the midterms will be the “most miserable two years” of President Trump’s life. Read Cornyn’s reasoning Keep in mind: This is Cornyn’s first extensive interview since losing his reelection primary after Trump backed his challenger. DEMS ARE ALREADY EYEING ITS NEXT ‘OBAMACARE’: “There is growing momentum within the Democratic Party to find its next ObamaCare heading into the midterms, as healthcare costs become more untenable and American anger over affordability persists,” reports The Hill’s Joseph Choi. Read more ⚽ OTHER NEWS:‘Tsamina mina, eh, eh, waka waka, eh, eh!’ 🎵: I know we have a new World Cup anthem for this year — it’s called “Dai Dai” and it’s also by Shakira — but 2010’s “Waka Waka” is just so catchy! The World Cup has officially kicked off! Each team will play three games in the group stage. The top two teams from each group will then advance. The U.S. men’s soccer team will play its first group stage game tonight at 9 p.m. against Paraguay. The security: FBI Director Kash Patel described the security for the soccer tournament as “probably the biggest lift in FBI history.” Adding to the risks: The House left town on Thursday without renewing the U.S.’s warrantless spy powers. That means Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act will expire today. The New York Times reports that security at Thursday’s game in Mexico City was very strict. SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND TIDBITS: Where in the world (U.S.) is Freddy?: A German soccer fan has gone viral for his tour of American culture. He stopped by Buffalo Wild Wings and Waffle House. Oh, and I’m glad he made it to Taco Bell — or “the holy land” — as he called it. Bahahaha: A group of Scotland fans, who are staying in Massachusetts, played bagpipes early in the morning. 🎥 Watch Food specials: Some restaurants are offering specials for the World Cup. If a U.S. player gets a red card, Dominos will give away $1 million in emergency pizzas. And Crumbl has a World Cup-themed menu. More World Cup deals and specials 🍲 11 World Cup-inspired recipes 🔎 Guide to all 1,248 players ➤ QUICK HITS: —SpaceX went public today in the largest initial public offering ever, making Elon Musk the world’s first trillionaire. — The Senate’s big defense policy bill excluded a provision that would have expanded fertility services, including in vitro fertilization (IVF) for military members and their families. — A federal judge just indefinitely blocked the Justice Department’s “anti-weaponization” fund. ➤ MORE READS:The Hill: Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff sees presidential chatter grow among Democrats Op-ed in The Washington Post: My purple district can tell you what the Democratic autopsy left out NOTUS: This Lawyer Spent Years Fighting His $100 D.C. Speeding Ticket 🗓️ COMING UP The House and Senate are out. President Trump is at the White House. (All times EDT) 2:30 p.m. Trump participates in “signing time.” *starts humming “Closing Time”* 5:30 p.m. Trump tapes an interview. Sunday morning: p.m. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) will appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” 🐝 INTERNET BUZZ 🍪 Celebrate: Today is National Peanut Butter Cookie Day! 🫐 No one warned me about the insane berry budget: We always hear parents of young children joke about how many berries their kids eat. Well, The Washington Post analyzed fruit prices and the “berry boom.” The report opens with an anecdote about children eating $30 of berries in one sitting. Read: ‘Parents are “going broke on berries”’ 🍕 Pizza Hut is bringing back a ‘90s classic: Who remembers Pizza Hut’s deal for kids to earn free pizza by doing their summer reading? The pizza chain is bringing it back! What we know 👋 AND FINALLY… To leave you with a big smile, I want you to see this doggy daycare that groups dogs by energy level instead of size. Get me a large iced coffee and throw me in that room with “Side B!!!!” 💪🥇 Stay Engaged I love hearing from you — send your feedback, tips and favorite cookie recipes to [email protected]. Check out more newsletters here. See you next time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The likely expiration of a key part of America's foreign surveillance arsenal is coming just as the World Cup and America two hundred fifty celebrations get underway, raising security concerns that experts say will only get more severe as the fight in Congress drags on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump's remarks on the latest inflation data are once again putting Him at odds with Republicans and the narrative they hope to set ahead of the midterms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump’s remarks on the latest inflation data are once again putting him at odds with Republicans and the narrative they hope to set ahead of the midterms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran responded overnight to U-S retaliatory strikes with attacks of its own targeting American bases and other sites in allied countries across the Middle East, posing perhaps the biggest test yet to a two-month-old ceasefire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Iran war is on the ballot in South Carolina, where G-O-P primary voters will determine the political fate of Senator Lindsey Graham Republican from South Carolina, a steadfast ally of President Trump and one of the Senate's most hawkish members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California becomes election integrity battlefield Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In todays issue: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The national redistricting battle that has dominated politics for the past year is finally coming to an end — for this cycle — following a Supreme Court ruling upholding a GOP map and likely picking off one more Democrat in Alabama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican candidates in key California races looked poised to advance to the general election this morning, but with almost half of the votes yet to be counted, there’s still some possibility of a “red mirage.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s primary day in California, and the primary field for governor appears to be down to a three-horse race — with two candidates advancing to the general election in November. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump rally to kick off 250 celebration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump has a tough road ahead as he tries to make the case that his tentative deal with Iran meets his own goals for the war and leaves the U.S. in a better place than where it was three months ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump’s 2026 revenge tour within the GOP is largely complete after helping oust Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R) on Tuesday, but there’s a growing list of detractors who may face his wrath in two years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton may have trounced Sen. John Cornyn (R) for the GOP nomination for Senate, but Democrats are feeling like the big winner from Texas’s primary results Tuesday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Texas Senator John Cornyn Republican will attempt today to do what most Republicans this year have been unable to: win a primary in the face of President Trump's opposition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If yesterday’s release of the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) long-awaited autopsy report on the 2024 presidential election was meant to lower the heat on its embattled chair, it doesn’t seem to be working. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump's approval rating is hitting new lows for his second term as the Iran war and surging prices rankle voters, raising questions about just how much it could fall with the midterm elections approaching. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday’s flurry of primary elections underlined the strength of President Trump’s endorsement among Republicans, with his chosen candidates winning key races across the South. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A pair of contests for state Supreme Court in Georgia on Tuesday will serve as key bellwethers as both parties are preparing for major battles in the swing state this fall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If Senator Bill Cassidy Republican from Louisiana survives the weekend, it will be no thanks to his fellow Louisiana Republican leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When President Trump comes face to face with Chinese President Shee Jinping to talk trade deals this week, few groups have more on the line than America's farmers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Warsh is poised to take leadership of the Federal Reserve at the end of the week, but that may not lead to the imminent interest rate cuts that President Trump has openly pushed for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unusual primaries in Nebraska Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump rejects Iran’s response Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congress returns from its one-week recess to a packed agenda, diving back into many of the same high-stakes issues that dominated lawmakers’ attention last month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump's latest push for a relatively narrow peace deal with Iran has both supporters and critics asking if he is really prepared to resume major military operations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has surged to the head of the pack of Democrats running for California governor as ballots are heading out to voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump demonstrated the extent of his power in the Republican Party on Tuesday night as five out of seven Indiana GOP state senators lost their primaries to Trump-backed challengers by a wide margin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is showing major cracks for the first time since President Trump declared it would extend indefinitely to allow for peace negotiations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cassidy takes MAHA blame Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dems dealt blow in VRA case Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran war to pass key marker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The king addresses Congress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

▪ WHCA dinner shooting fallout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices