Bipartisan criticism mounts
Trump faced criticism from both sides of the aisle over his handling of Iran negotiations. Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton, long the Senate's foremost Iran hawk, found himself caught between supporting a Republican president and his own stated policy positions. Politico reported that Vance's public-facing role in the negotiations represented a political gamble.
Republican midterm worries
Republican strategists expressed concern that Trump's approach could damage the party's midterm prospects. "Republicans fear Trump is hurting their chances. He can't understand why," Politico reported. The White House also scheduled meetings with groups on AI and children's safety bills, signaling a broader policy push beyond foreign affairs.
Legal and intelligence shakeups
Intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard sought major cuts in her first day on the job. A federal judge gave the DOJ green light to turn Joe Biden's audio files over to the Heritage Foundation. Manhattan prosecutors who feared a Trump loyalist instead got one of their own as the new US Attorney.