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1 Trump Calls Iran Conflict "A Little Excursion" That Will End "Very Soon"
Speaking to House Republicans at his golf resort in Doral, Florida, President Trump called the now ten-day war with Iran a "short-term excursion" and predicted it would be over "very soon." At a news conference later in the day, reporters pressed him on whether the war could end this week; Trump said no, but added, "very soon." He said the conflict would end once Iran no longer had the ability to threaten the U.S., Israel, or allies in the region. His tone stood in sharp contrast to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said in a taped interview that the attacks are "only just the beginning," and the Pentagon posted a social media message declaring it had "only just begun to fight."
2 Senate Majority Leader John Thune Says He Won't Change Filibuster Rules To Pass SAVE Act
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said yesterday that he will not change Senate rules to push through the SAVE America Act, the Republican-backed election reform bill that President Trump is demanding Congress send to his desk. "That's just not a realistic option," Thune said, after Trump threatened over the weekend to refuse to sign any legislation into law until the bill passes. Trump has pushed Thune to use a "talking filibuster," a procedural move that would allow Republicans to force a vote without needing 60 votes, as long as Democrats keep the floor. The SAVE America Act, which the House passed in February, would require photo ID at the polls, mandate proof of citizenship when registering to vote, and restrict mail-in ballots. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the bill "Jim Crow 2.0" and said Democrats would not allow it to pass under any circumstances.
3 Oil Prices Drop Back Below $90 A Barrel
Oil prices pulled back yesterday after President Trump said he is considering seizing control of the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical oil shipping lane. U.S. crude fell to around $85 a barrel in extended trading after earlier surging as high as nearly $120 overnight. Trump also told “CBS News” that ships are moving through the Strait again and hinted the war could end soon. He is also reportedly weighing cuts to Russian oil sanctions to help bring prices down. G7 energy ministers are set to meet today to discuss a possible coordinated release of oil reserves, but analysts warn prices could hit $135 a barrel if the disruption stretches four months.