Key Events (10)
The Trump administration is engaged in military strikes against Iran without congressional approval, prompting Senate action. A Senate resolution to prevent Trump from continuing the war with Iran was voted down along party lines, with nearly all Democrats supporting it and most Republicans opposed.
U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran escalated on day five of the conflict. A U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka, and Israel launched new waves of strikes on Tehran and Beirut as Iran vowed continued resistance.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rejected participation in the Iran conflict and defied Trump's threats of trade retaliation, stating his country will not be complicit in the Middle East conflict 'simply out of fear of reprisals.' EU Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné expressed solidarity with Spain.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the U.S. and told Trump that Ukraine must not give up additional territory. Trump said Ukraine remained 'very high' on his priority list during discussions about continued support for Kyiv.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer took a cautious approach to the Iran conflict, prioritizing the safety of British nationals over military involvement. Trump criticized Starmer, comparing him unfavorably to Winston Churchill, but Starmer's position aligned with public sentiment.
2026 midterm primary elections took place with multiple significant results: James Talarico won the Texas Democratic Senate primary; Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley won North Carolina primaries; and the Texas Republican Senate race went to a runoff between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn. Trump said he would announce an endorsement in the Texas GOP race.
Critics and experts alleged the Trump administration overstepped its authority in using a 1994 law to prosecute protesters and journalists, creating what some described as a 'nuclear option' against dissent. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security launched an investigation into remarks allegedly made by a federal official about a Jewish lawyer.
A YouGov poll found that 50% of Americans support abolishing the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem faced criticism for labeling protesters 'terrorists' while the agency remained shut down.
Trump announced an AI industry pledge in which companies including Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI committed to pay for power plants and grid upgrades needed for their data centers. The initiative aims to address voter concerns about AI's impact on electricity costs.
Rising oil prices from the Middle East conflict triggered increases in fuel costs and raised concerns about energy bills. UK motor fuel prices rose since the conflict began, and analysts warned energy bills could jump 10% in July, with stock markets initially rallying on reports of secret Iranian outreach for peace negotiations.