Newsweek is reporting that President Donald J Trump is scheduled to travel to Dover Air Force Base today to attend the dignified transfer of U.S. service members killed last weekend in the Middle East. It said an anonymous Republican operative told Politico that such events are "never great for the party in power."
Newsweek highlighted the deaths of Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, from Carrollton, North Texas, who was killed when Iran fired a missile at her base in Jordan. It also reported on Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, a father of two from North Carolina, who died in Iraq during a controlled detonation of an Iranian drone.
The publication noted that Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described the current state of the war as ideal for Israel, provided it remains out of the renewed fighting. Smotrich was quoted saying, "The State of Israel has no interest in joining the contained confrontation between Iran and the United States. The current situation is the best one for us." Newsweek added that the U.S. State Department defines the war as being "for the collective self-defense of Israel."
Newsweek also reported that Pete Hegseth estimated the war has cost U.S. taxpayers $38 billion. It said the House is expected to pass the Pentagon's $1.2 trillion budget request, which includes Section 219, the "United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative." This provision would grant Israel access to U.S. military and intelligence systems' technology, information, and supply chains, establishing a new Pentagon office to integrate military operations. Newsweek mentioned that some members, including Rep. Thomas Massie, object to this provision.