Newsweek is reporting that President Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on the Senate amid a stalemate over the appointment of an intelligence chief, surveillance powers, and election reform. It said Trump announced that Bill Pulte would remain as Acting Director of National Intelligence because Democrats broke a deal with Republicans to renew FISA's Section 702 surveillance powers. Trump reiterated he would not approve FISA's renewal unless it is fully paired with his SAVE America Act, a voting reform package. This situation has paused nominations for DNI and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, leaving the intelligence community with uncertainty regarding its foreign threat collection powers.
Newsweek also reported that Iranian tankers carrying millions of barrels of crude oil have successfully passed through the U.S. blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. This development comes just days before a U.S.-Iran peace deal is expected to be unveiled.
The publication noted that Trump's endorsement power faced a setback in Georgia, where billionaire Rick Jackson defeated Trump-backed Burt Jones for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. Jackson reportedly spent $100 million on his campaign.
Newsweek said Trump is currently in France for the G7 summit, where Iran and Ukraine are primary agenda items. The U.S. joined a unanimous joint declaration expressing "unwavering support for Ukraine." G7 leaders also voiced support for Trump's Iran deal, though specific details of the Memorandum of Understanding with Tehran remain unclear.
Regarding the economy, Newsweek reported that today marks the first Federal Open Market Committee decision for new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh. The inflationary impact from Iran is expected to make the decision to hold interest rates steady easier, though Trump is anticipated to soon pressure Warsh on rates.
In other domestic news, Newsweek is reporting that California Gov. Gavin Newsom disclosed a Justice Department investigation, which he characterized as political retaliation directed by President Trump. Some strategists suggest this inquiry could inadvertently boost Newsom's potential 2028 presidential candidacy by elevating his profile among Democratic voters.
Newsweek also said Immigration and Customs Enforcement has quietly revised its National Detention Standards for 2026. These changes include removing language that previously required detainees participating in work programs to receive at least $1 per day, centralizing authority within the agency, and reshaping how detainee labor is defined.
Finally, Newsweek is reporting that new polling indicates Americans are feeling less patriotic and more pessimistic as the country approaches its 250th anniversary. Surveys from various organizations suggest national pride is declining, becoming more partisan, and younger Americans are moving away from traditional expressions of patriotism.