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Browse major news stories and see what officials have said.

Sep 16, 2026· Updated

Two Days Before the Iran War Turns Six Months Old, Trump Posts "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 2026" — and the Top Democrat on Armed Services Answers That "Not a Single Objective Has Been Achieved"

On Aug. 26, 2026, President Trump posted an image to Truth Social captioned "Mission Accomplished 2026," pairing a photograph of George W. Bush labeled "Mission Not Accomplished 2001-2021" with an image of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei — a deliberate invocation of the 2003 banner that became a byword for premature victory declarations. Two days later, on Aug. 28, the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran reached its six-month mark. The conflict Trump had described at the outset as a short excursion has cost at least 18 American service members' lives, injured more than 750, and consumed roughly $100 billion in appropriated funds. Iran's nuclear program has not been dismantled, the regime has not fallen — Khamenei's son Mojtaba succeeded him — and the Strait of Hormuz remains a contested flashpoint under U.S. blockade. Trump said this week he is "not in a hurry" to resume negotiations. Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on Armed Services, issued a point-by-point accounting of the six war aims Trump named in February and said none had been met. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the president delusional for claiming victory. DNC Chair Ken Martin tied the war directly to the November midterms. Trump, for his part, spent the anniversary insisting the blockade is total and that Iran is the party that wants to meet.

“Well, hopefully we are toward the end of the war. They want to make a deal. We'll see how that works out.”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · Sep 16, 2026

Three Republicans and Three Democrats Tell Rubio and Bessent to Press Israel to Release the Palestinian Authority's Withheld Tax Revenues — Warning That the West Bank's "Fiscal Collapse" Would Serve "Extremist and Iran-Backed Groups, Not Israel, Nor the United States"

On September 9, 2026, six members of the House — three Republicans and three Democrats — sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urging the administration to press Israel to stop withholding billions of dollars in "clearance revenues," the customs and tax receipts Israel collects on the Palestinian Authority's behalf and has increasingly held back, pushing the PA toward insolvency. The letter was led by Reps. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Craig Goldman (R-TX), co-chairs of the Congressional Abraham Accords Caucus, and co-signed by Republican Reps. Ann Wagner (R-MO) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Democratic Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA). "Continued withholding of billions in clearance revenues risks accelerating the West Bank's fiscal collapse," the lawmakers wrote — "an outcome that would serve the interests of extremist and Iran-backed groups, not Israel, nor the United States." They asked Rubio and Bessent to work with Israel and the PA on "practical, security-conscious mechanisms that keep clearance revenues flowing to legitimate Palestinian institutions while ensuring none are diverted to terror financing," and argued that "despite its significant shortcomings and flaws, the PA remains the only current viable governing alternative to Hamas." The Times of Israel called it a rare bipartisan critique of Israeli policy from members who are otherwise among Israel's firmest supporters in Congress. The letter came as the administration was escalating its financial campaign against Iran's regional proxies — the State and Treasury departments launched "Operation Economic Outcast" against Hezbollah and Kata'ib Hezbollah financing on September 10 — and amid a separate fight over Israeli settlement policy with Britain. Neither the Israeli government nor the State Department had publicly responded as of September 11.

“Supporting Israel's security and defeating terrorist groups is central to America's foreign policy. Economic instability in the West Bank risks creating a vacuum that Hamas and other Iranian-backed terrorist organizations could exploit.”
Craig Goldman (R-TX) · Sep 9, 2026

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palestinian-authority

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3 statements

Sep 9, 2026· Updated

The U.S. Ambassador to Israel Says the British Government's "Jew Hate … Knows No Boundaries" — Aimed at a Jewish Foreign Secretary — and When Britain Bans West Bank Settlement Goods Two Days Later, He Warns of "Repercussions" and a Florida Congressman Threatens to Cut Britain Off From "Billions of Dollars"

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband announced that the United Kingdom will ban imports of all goods from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, along with services — financing, construction, infrastructure, real estate and advertising — that support them. Miliband, who is Jewish, told Parliament that "there is ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in areas of the West Bank, perpetrated by settler terrorists" and that the government's "argument is not with the people of Israel … our argument is with the conduct of its government." He said France and Canada would follow. Prime Minister Andy Burnham briefed President Trump by phone on Monday before the announcement; Downing Street's readout did not describe Trump's response, and the Trump administration had privately urged London not to proceed. Israel's finance minister called for expelling the British ambassador and its security minister urged closing the British consulate in East Jerusalem. The American response came from the U.S. ambassador in Jerusalem and a Florida congressman. Two days earlier, on September 6, Ambassador Mike Huckabee had responded to a Miliband video describing medicines being blocked from Gaza by posting on X: "The Brits have lost it. The Jew hate of their government knows no boundaries and knows no facts." On the morning of the announcement Huckabee told the BBC's Today programme the ban was "a discrimination against the Jewish people," that "I don't know if they have thought it through," and that "the UK is a sovereign country; they can do what they want, but so is the US" — warning Britain could face "repercussions or retaliations" and suggesting states like Florida could act on their own. Rep. Randy Fine, who as a Florida legislator wrote the state's anti-boycott law, posted Monday night that any British company forced to comply would be barred from doing business with Florida's state and local governments: "Florida is one of Britain's largest trading partners. They should understand that their vanity project in support of Muslim terror could cost them billions of dollars." The episode lands as the Senate weighs a Democratic resolution on West Bank settlements and after the E1 settlement tenders that Britain cited as its trigger. No member of Congress had publicly criticized Huckabee's "Jew hate" remark about a Jewish foreign secretary as of the announcement, and the State Department had not issued its own statement on the British measures.

“I'll be speaking to Israel, I'll be speaking to them, and I'll find out what's their thinking... I understand what's going on. But I want to find out why all of a sudden has that happened.”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · Sep 9, 2026

Trump Calls Off Diplomacy and Declares an "ECONOMIC D-DAY" Against Iran — the White House Pivots From "Hammer Iran ASAP" to "Strangle Them," and a Senate Democrat Calls It a "Strategic Dead-End"

On August 18, 2026 — a day after the 60-day deadline in the US–Iran memorandum of understanding lapsed — President Trump instructed his negotiating team, including Vice President JD Vance and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, to stop talking to Tehran, and posted on Truth Social that "there are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled." White House officials told CNN the strategy had shifted from "hammer Iran ASAP" to "strangle them" over time. The next day, Trump put a name to it. In a Truth Social post he promised "the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY," said Iran would face "Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale," and warned that any country whose banks, businesses, airports or government entities gave Iran "any type of lifeline" would face "TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences." He called it an "ECONOMIC D-DAY." Speaking to reporters the same day, Trump left the door to talks open — "maybe at some point" — while insisting "right now, I think the situation is so good." With Congress in August recess and the Senate not back until September 14, on-the-record congressional reaction was sparse. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Armed Services Committee, called the pivot evidence of a "strategic dead-end." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the announcement as a distraction from American debt.

“Originally, I wanted to make a deal. … We're so far down the line, they have very little country left right now, so we're not looking for it.”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · Sep 9, 2026

The Iran War Restarts After a Month-Long Lull: U.S. Forces Hit Larak Island, Iran Fires Missiles at Two American Air Bases in Jordan and a Drone at the UAE, and Trump Posts an AI Video of Iran's Main Oil Terminal "Being Blown to Smithereens"

On Sunday, August 30, 2026, U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz — the first American strike on Iran in more than a month. U.S. Central Command said Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps units had been observed preparing to fire rockets carrying sea mines into the strait, and described the operation as limited and precise action against an imminent threat. The IRGC called it an act of aggression and vowed a response. The response came overnight. The IRGC launched an operation it named "Punishment of the Aggressor," firing ballistic missiles at the King Hussein and Al Azraq air bases in Jordan, both of which host American forces, and a drone at Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates. Iran claimed heavy damage to infrastructure, maintenance facilities and fighter jet positions, and said it had also downed a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper over the Strait of Hormuz. Jordan's military said it intercepted eight ballistic missiles before they threatened any infrastructure or troops; the UAE Ministry of Defense said it intercepted the drone with no damage or casualties. A U.S. official told CNN there were no reported impacts. President Trump told Fox News the United States would answer: "We're going to hit them hard. There will be a response." He then posted an AI-generated video to Truth Social captioned "Kharg Island being blown to smithereens!!!" — Kharg being Iran's main oil-export terminal, and a target the administration has repeatedly threatened but, as of the posting, had not struck. Analysts who checked the clip confirmed it was synthetic; hours later there was no evidence Kharg had been attacked. Trump also posted that "Iran is officially a Failed Nation. IT IS DEAD!" Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has been running the "economic D-Day" sanctions campaign against Tehran, read the exchange as evidence the pressure is working: "I would think that they are lashing out kinetically because they are losing economically." Congress was largely out of position to respond. The House returned from its August recess on August 31; the Senate was in pro forma session and does not return until September 14. As of the evening of August 31, no member of Congress had issued an on-record statement specifically about the Larak strike or the Jordan and UAE retaliation.

“The Houthis, in many ways, are agents and proxies of the Iranians. Behind some of this is clearly the Iranian hand. The US has a very strong defensive, military relationship with Saudi Arabia. We're watching those events very closely.”
Marco Rubio (R-FL) · Sep 8, 2026

Eight Months After U.S. Troops Seized Maduro, Trump Announces "THE BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY" — a 100-Year Lease on 65 Billion Barrels of Venezuelan Crude

On Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, President Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States had "secured majority US control of more than 65 BILLION BARRELS of proven Oil Reserves in Venezuela, at no cost to the American Taxpayer" — calling it "THE BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY." As described by the administration, the arrangement covers 17 oil fields across Venezuela's main petroleum basins. A newly formed private company — the U.S. government partnering with a private operator the White House has not named — receives 100-year development rights. The United States takes what officials describe as 55 percent effective output, comprising an ownership stake plus the right to buy oil at cost, with the crude earmarked for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and military use. The administration projects roughly $100 billion in private investment into Venezuela's oil industry and more than $209 billion in tax revenue for Caracas. Trump said the deal "more than doubles American oil reserves" and "will substantially lower gas prices for all Americans." Trump said the agreement was negotiated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth with Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who called it a "historic milestone in bilateral relations." Rubio called it "a huge win for both the American and Venezuelan people." The announcement lands roughly eight months after the January 2026 U.S. military operation that captured Nicolás Maduro and flew him to the United States to face narcoterrorism charges — an operation Congress never authorized, and one Democrats had argued from the start was about oil. Their reaction on Friday was to say the deal proved the point. Sen. Chris Van Hollen wrote that "this isn't a win," calling it "proof Trump put our service members at risk to get Venezuelan oil for his billionaire buddies." Sen. Tim Kaine, of the Foreign Relations Committee, said "Using our troops for a private oil grab is corruption at epic scale!" Republicans framed it as vindication: Sen. Bernie Moreno said that "if it were up to DC Democrats, Maduro would still be in power." Neither Trump nor Rubio disclosed specifics of the arrangement — the identity of the private operator, the production timeline, or who bears the cost of rebuilding Venezuela's degraded oil infrastructure. Major U.S. producers have kept their distance: ExxonMobil's CEO said earlier in 2026 that Venezuela was "uninvestable" in its current state, and ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips both remain wary years after their assets there were expropriated.

“The United States did no cost, zero cost to American taxpayers, but we’re going to get massive amounts of discounted oil price and ownership interest.”
Chris Wright (R-CO) · Sep 6, 2026

U.S. Pauses Iran Bombing Campaign as Military Leaders Warn Trump About Dwindling Munitions Stockpiles

The United States paused its bombing campaign against Iran on the night of Friday, July 24, 2026, after nearly two weeks of consecutive nightly strikes, with operations placed "on a hold" according to a Defense Department source. On July 25 the military announced no new strikes for the first time in two weeks. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine had raised concerns in a White House meeting about the state of U.S. munitions stockpiles, telling Trump the military could execute the available options but warning of the implications. President Trump publicly dismissed the concerns, acknowledging the U.S. would like more of "the more sophisticated stuff" while insisting the military has what it needs and blaming the Biden administration for transfers to Ukraine. U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz conceded "a lot of stockpiles are depleted." The pause landed in the middle of a budget fight: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Caine asked senators to approve an $87.6 billion supplemental, including roughly $40 billion to expand production of solid rocket motors, precision-guided bombs, hypersonic weapons and counter-drone systems, while House Republicans advanced a separate $95 billion reconciliation framework. Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) said the services' munitions stockpiles are "under extreme strain," and Democrats including Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) argued the depletion showed the war lacked a coherent strategy.

“These types of precise munitions do not grow on trees. They take a long time to build up.”
Jason Crow (D-CO) · Sep 6, 2026

Trump Says He Will Bill Europe for the Weapons the United States Already Gave Ukraine — "We Will Be Asking for That Money, Though Somewhat Belatedly" — and Halts Munitions Sales to Allies While He Denies the Iran War Has Drained the Stockpile

On September 3, 2026, President Trump wrote on Truth Social that the United States would seek retroactive payment from European countries for the munitions and military aid sent to Ukraine under the Biden administration. "Hundreds of Billions of Dollars was given to Ukraine and NATO, free of charge, that Europe would have paid for — If they were only asked, but we will be asking for that money, though somewhat belatedly!" He did not name which countries he meant, or identify any legal mechanism for collecting. The post was also a rebuttal. Reporting through late August had described U.S. precision-munitions stockpiles heavily depleted by six months of war with Iran, and combatant commanders had formally objected to extending the campaign. Trump wrote that the United States has "virtually unlimited amounts of Mid to High Grade Ammunition" and is producing at "levels never seen before" — while simultaneously confirming a pause in sales to allies: "We are taking them for ourselves, the U.S.A., rather than selling them to others, but the sales to allies will soon again, begin." The demand landed as European governments were already refusing to join the Iran campaign. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking at the G20 finance meeting in North Carolina, described a global energy shock driven by both the Ukraine and Iran wars. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, had just returned from a bipartisan congressional delegation to Ukraine. She called the president's demand "outrageous" and said she would increase Ukraine funding if Democrats win the House.

“[If I] chair the Appropriations Committee, we will increase funds. And if we've got that same case in the Senate, then we've got the House and the Senate in sync to try to move forward.”
Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) · Sep 4, 2026

Trump Signs an Executive Order Renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America" — "All We Need Is an Ocean" — and Even Chris Christie Calls It "Completely Childish"

On August 27, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order in the Oval Office directing the Interior Department to update federal geographic information systems to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America," effective immediately. The order asserts that because "the deepest parts of the Lake's waters" lie within United States territory, "the United States claims most of the Lake's volume," and that the lake "has long been an integral asset to American exploration, settlement, commerce, and defense." Trump had floated the idea two days earlier, on August 25, in the middle of the collapse of US–Canada trade talks and the Section 338 tariff fight. Asked what message he meant to send Canada, Trump said "No message" and then added that Canada "has been ripping us off for a long time on trade." He framed the order as a sequel to renaming the Gulf of Mexico: "we have a gulf and we have a lake. Now, all we need is an ocean." The reaction from US officials was near-uniformly negative and unusually mocking. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, whose state borders the lake, called it "a juvenile effort" and "a pathetic attempt at distraction" from tariffs raising costs in Upstate New York. Gov. Kathy Hochul answered in five words on X: "New York won't be calling it that." Sen. Amy Klobuchar said that "on behalf of the great Lake Superior, I call that superiorly stupid." Sen. Chris Van Hollen called it "more evidence we elected a toddler as president," and Sen. Mark Kelly asked how renaming a lake helps Americans who "can't afford their lives right now." Elected Republicans were largely silent. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called the order "Childish. Completely childish." Rep. Jeff Crank (R-CO), asked the next day whether the body of water is Lake Ontario or Lake America, said he was "unaware of — what's the reference?" and then, "I don't know. I — I have other more pressing issues I'm working on. Goodness!" Canadian officials rejected the renaming outright. Prime Minister Mark Carney noted the name derives from the Wendat word Ontari'io and predates both Confederation and the Declaration of Independence; Ontario Premier Doug Ford said it "will always be Lake Ontario to all Canadians and the rest of the world." The lake's name in Canada is unaffected — the order reaches only US federal usage.

“President Trump's inane executive order is a weak attempt to distract from the fact that the Trump administration has raised costs on hardworking families, caused gas prices to skyrocket, and cut the programs that Americans rely on to get healthcare and put food on the table. Instead of renaming Great Lakes for no good reason, the president should stop the political games, get back to the negotiation table, and make a deal that lowers costs for New York families. I am proud to announce this legislation to restore Lake Ontario's original name, and I look forward to getting it passed.”
Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) · Sep 3, 2026

Trump Floats Renaming the Strait of Hormuz "TRUMP STRAIT" on Truth Social — Then Says Hours Later "I Was Just Throwing That Out" — as Sanders Tells Him "You're the President, Not a Mad King"

On September 2, 2026, hours after a wave of US Central Command strikes on roughly 100 IRGC targets and Iranian retaliation against bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, President Trump posted on Truth Social: "Now that we have it under U.S.A. control, should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT??? Like America itself, it would be 'hotter' than ever before!" Asked about it in the Oval Office later the same afternoon, Trump backed off the idea, saying he had just been throwing it out. The White House's official X account nonetheless posted a map showing a Trump-branded Strait of Hormuz and said the name had "a nice ring to it." The post landed three weeks after Trump said he would declare the strait US territory when the Iran war ends, and days after he signed an order renaming Lake Ontario "Lake America" during the trade fight with Canada — a renaming a Reuters/Ipsos poll found 63% of Americans opposed. Sen. Bernie Sanders and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer both told Trump to drop the renaming and focus on fuel prices and ending the war.

“Now that we have it under U.S.A. control, should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT??? Like America itself, it would be 'hotter' than ever before!”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · Sep 2, 2026

The Secretary of Defense Posts a Photo of Two Teenage Canadian Cadets and Writes "This Is Real" — the Pentagon Says the Post "Speaks for Itself," and an Arizona Senator Answers That These Are "Sycophants" Putting American Security at Risk

On Monday, August 31, 2026, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted on X an image taken at the Cadet Training Centre in Vernon, British Columbia — two young women in uniform — captioned "this is real" beside a Canadian flag. The Royal Canadian Army Cadets is a youth program; its members are not members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The replies filled with commentary on the cadets' appearance. The post was the third disparagement of Canada's military by a senior Trump administration official inside nine days. Vice President JD Vance told an audience in Brewer, Maine on August 24 that Canada "quite literally would get invaded by a foreign country" without American protection. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Fox News Sunday on August 23 that Canada "doesn't have a military." All of it landed while the 50 percent Section 338 tariffs were in force and Ottawa was preparing retaliatory duties for September 8. Asked about the backlash on Tuesday, September 1, Pentagon deputy press secretary Jacob Bliss said only: "The X post speaks for itself." Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a Marine veteran and a member of the Armed Services Committee, was the sharpest American voice against it. Prime Minister Mark Carney's government said the remarks were "beneath their office," and B.C. Premier David Eby called the whole episode an embarrassment. Canada has 158 war dead from Afghanistan, a war it entered after the United States was attacked.

“What you’re seeing is a reflection of these sycophants that are just trying to make this president happy and not understand that they are potentially putting our security in danger.”
Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) · Sep 1, 2026

The Trump Administration Brings a Sanctioned Russian Finance Minister to a G20 Meeting on American Soil — Europe Refuses the Family Photo and Shaheen Says the White House Is Handing Putin a Platform

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov — sanctioned by the United States in April 2022 — attended the U.S.-hosted G20 finance ministers' meeting in Asheville, North Carolina on August 31, 2026. It was his first in-person G20 appearance since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and he was there at the Trump administration's invitation. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met Siluanov bilaterally on the sidelines. According to Reuters, when Siluanov raised areas of possible cooperation, Bessent cut him off, saying nothing was possible until the war ends. European finance ministers objected loudly: German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil called the invitation "quite troubling" and said he would not pose for a photo with his Russian counterpart, and Siluanov was ultimately left out of the traditional family photo. Trump defended the invitation the next day. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, tied the episode directly to the stalled Russia sanctions bill that the Senate passed 86-11 in August and that the House has not taken up. The meeting landed the same week Russian strikes killed civilians in Kyiv for a sixth consecutive day.

“We like getting along with everybody. One of the reasons that I’m so successful, I get along with everybody.”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · Sep 1, 2026

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