Stories

Browse major news stories and see what officials have said.

Aug 24, 2026

ICE Has Detained More Than 50 Spouses and Parents of Active-Duty Troops — an Army Sergeant’s Wife Was Deported to Honduras Days After the Sailor on the USS Lincoln Learned His Father Was Taken in Key West

An Associated Press investigation published August 5, 2026 found that more than 50 immediate family members of active-duty U.S. troops — spouses and parents — have been placed in federal immigration detention since January 2025. At least six had been deported, one self-deported, and eight remained in custody when the AP published. Separately, DHS data obtained by Congress showed that between January 20, 2025 and January 26, 2026, ICE arrested 125 military veterans, nearly two-thirds of whom had no active criminal warrant, and moved to deport at least 282 veterans and family members. The through-line is a policy change: in April, ICE rescinded its long-standing guidance treating military service as a "significant mitigating factor" in whether to pursue enforcement, replacing it with a far less protective policy. Processing time for military parole in place — the discretionary protection recruiters have long cited to non-citizen family members — has more than doubled, to about 12 months. On August 9, 2026, a bicameral group of Democrats sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin demanding an accounting. It was led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth and Richard Blumenthal and Reps. Chrissy Houlahan, Maggie Goodlander, Delia Ramirez and Lizzie Fletcher, and signed by roughly 55 members in all, including Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nancy Pelosi. The letter argues the Pentagon's new coordination with DHS — detaining people on military property and handing them to ICE — turns bases into "traps" and creates a chilling effect on service members and their families, who "may avoid accessing bases, medical care, housing offices, or support services — or leave the military entirely." The signers set an August 23 deadline for answers. The Pentagon declined to comment and said it would reply directly to the authors. Two cases put faces on the numbers in the last week of August. On Monday, August 24, Cristy Maryori Villafranca-Trejo — wife of Army Sgt. Hedar Leonel Turcios Juarez, stationed at Fort Bliss — was deported to Honduras, at least the seventh military spouse or parent removed under the crackdown. She was detained July 11 outside a Walmart near the base; she had no known criminal record, and her appeal and military parole-in-place application were still pending. Rep. Veronica Escobar, who represents El Paso, had opened a congressional inquiry into her case and visited her in detention. Two days earlier, in Key West, Border Patrol arrested Luis Manuel Aviles Roa, a Nicaraguan handyman of nearly 20 years' residence whose son Joshua is a sailor in his ninth month aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln — the carrier already at the center of a Senate inquiry over its record 250-day deployment. DHS has not disputed the pattern; it has defended it. "Having a family member in the military is not a free pass to violate our nation's laws," the department said of the Aviles arrest, adding that "U.S. military service alone does not automatically grant lawful immigration status, or exempt aliens from the consequences of violating U.S. immigration laws." Republican chairmen of the Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs committees, Roger Wicker and Jerry Moran, did not respond to press requests for comment.

“My heart breaks for her, her children and the soldier who must feel so betrayed by the country he is sacrificing for. There are far too many families like theirs who are being targeted instead of supported.”
Veronica Escobar (D-TX) · Aug 24, 2026

Aug 19, 2026· Updated

Trump Orders the Pentagon to "Substantially Reduce" Joint Exercises With South Korea, Citing His Relationship With Kim Jong Un and Seoul's Refusal to Join the Iran War — Drawing Bipartisan Backlash

On Sunday, August 16, 2026, hours before the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise was set to begin, President Trump posted on Truth Social that he had instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "substantially reduce" the joint military exercises the United States conducts with South Korea. He said the drills were costly and sent a signal "totally inappropriate and hostile" to North Korea, which he described as "unthreatening and respectful" during his time in office, and he grounded the decision in his "very good relationship" with Kim Jong Un. Trump added a second rationale in the same post: he had recently asked South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to join the US in the "Denuclearization of the Islamic Republic of Iran," and Seoul had declined. Ulchi Freedom Shield, a roughly ten-day exercise focused on cyberattacks, drone activity and GPS disruption, began Monday, August 17 — too late to cancel outright, which is why the order was to shrink it rather than scrap it. South Korea's defense ministry said it would "proceed as previously notified and scheduled," and President Lee's office said the two governments had "maintained close coordination." The backlash was bipartisan. Sen. Jack Reed, the ranking Democrat on Senate Armed Services, called it "another inane, haphazard decision" and warned that China and Russia were watching. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis said cutting the drills does nothing but free up North Korean troops fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Sen. Mark Kelly, a Navy veteran, called it "shortsighted and a mistake." Sen. Andy Kim objected to the unilateral, social-media announcement of a joint decision, and Reps. Frank Pallone and Pramila Jayapal accused the president of appeasing a dictator. As of publication no Republican member of Congress had gone on record defending the decision. The move revives objections Trump raised in his first term, when he suspended major drills after his 2018 Singapore summit with Kim, and lands as US military hardware has been pulled from the Indo-Pacific for the war against Iran.

“I wouldn’t have allowed it. But he’s got them.”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · Aug 19, 2026

After Killing Hundreds in Boat Strikes, the US Military Expands Its Anti-Cartel Campaign Onto Land in Latin America as Hegseth Announces Joint Operations With Colombia, Honduras and Guatemala

In the year since the US military began bombing boats it accused of carrying drugs off Latin America's Caribbean and Pacific coasts, it has killed more than 200 people in over 60 strikes, offering little public evidence that those killed were the "narco-terrorists" the administration says they were. On August 17, 2026, the Associated Press reported that the Trump administration is now extending that lethal campaign from the sea to land, pursuing arrangements that would put US forces on the ground in allied nations across the region. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the expansion during a trip to Panama. At the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition meeting in Panama City on August 12, 2026, he said Colombia's newly inaugurated president, Abelardo de la Espriella, had requested that the US join Colombia's fight against narco-terrorism and had authorized joint military operations; Colombia became the 19th member of the administration's "Shield of the Americas" initiative. Hegseth said Honduras and Guatemala had agreed to joint operations as well, following Ecuador, which launched joint missions with US forces in March 2026. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo publicly denied reaching any such agreement, saying it would be illegal without his congress's approval. The following day, August 13, at a jungle warfare drill in Panama, Hegseth described what the land phase would look like: the same effect as the boat strikes, applied ashore, with traffickers treated as targets on par with ISIS or al-Qaida. The administration has designated 20 Latin American criminal groups as foreign terrorist organizations, and the campaign has already included the January 2026 US operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Congress has never authorized force in the campaign. Sen. Tim Kaine, who has repeatedly forced war powers votes, wrote to President Trump on August 3, 2026 that more than 65 kinetic operations had killed more than 220 people and urged him to halt what Kaine called an illegal operation. In May 2026, Reps. Greg Casar, Jesús "Chuy" García and Sara Jacobs led 17 colleagues in demanding the Pentagon suspend the joint US-Ecuador operations after reporting that a bombed site was a civilian dairy farm. Republicans including Rep. Maria Salazar have defended the joint operations as legally grounded in existing bilateral security agreements. Analysts warn the ground campaign risks civilian casualties and a sovereignty backlash in partner countries that could outlast the administration.

“This is a critically important opportunity to build solidarity in the fight against interventionism and democratic backsliding, and to learn how the United States can be a partner in those efforts.”
Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) · Aug 17, 2026

Jul 21, 2026· Updated

Iranian Missile Attack on Jordan Air Base Kills US Service Members, First Combat Deaths Since March

On Friday, July 17-18, 2026, at least two Iranian ballistic missiles struck the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, used by Jordanian and US coalition forces. US Central Command said two service members were killed while partner forces defended against the ballistic missile and drone attack and another was initially missing; a third service member died in Iraq, bringing the toll from the attacks to three. Four more Americans were medically evacuated to hospitals in Jordan and later discharged. These were the first hostile US deaths since March, bringing the total killed in the war with Iran to at least 17. At Trump's direction the US launched retaliatory strikes the same day, completing an eighth consecutive night of attacks and targeting the IRGC units that launched the missiles. The deaths came five days before the House passed its second Iran war powers resolution.

“I just hope we go ahead and finish the job in Iran.”
Roger Wicker (R-MS) · Jul 21, 2026

Iran Fires Missiles and Drones at US Bases in Kuwait and Bahrain Despite Nominal Ceasefire

Iran launched seven ballistic missiles and multiple one-way attack drones at US military installations in Kuwait (Ali Al Salem Air Base) and Bahrain (5th Fleet headquarters) on June 2–3, 2026. All missiles were intercepted or missed their targets; no US personnel were killed. Iran said the strikes were retaliation after the US disabled an oil tanker heading to an Iranian port and struck a communications tower on Qeshm Island. US Central Command conducted "self-defense strikes" on Iranian radar and ground control sites. Kuwait International Airport was also struck, killing one Indian national and injuring 63, with significant damage to a passenger terminal. The attacks occurred while a nominal ceasefire from April remained nominally in effect, with Secretary of State Rubio insisting Operation Epic Fury was "over" even as exchanges of fire continued. The escalation accelerated congressional war-powers pressure; the House passed a war powers resolution 215–208 days later.

“In that part of the world, ceasefire is when you're shooting in a more moderate manner.”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · Jun 4, 2026

House Passes Iran War Powers Resolution 215-208, First Successful Vote Since War Began

The House passed a war powers resolution on June 3, 2026, directing President Trump to end military hostilities with Iran — the first time such a measure has cleared either chamber since the conflict began more than three months earlier. The 215-208 vote saw four Republicans cross party lines: Reps. Thomas Massie (KY), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA), Tom Barrett (MI), and Warren Davidson (OH). Every Democrat voted in favor, including Rep. Jared Golden (ME) who had opposed three previous attempts. The resolution is largely symbolic — Senate passage is unlikely and Trump would almost certainly veto it — but it represents a significant bipartisan rebuke of the administration's handling of the war.

“The president is now in the process of concluding a peace agreement, and we have to allow him the latitude to do that.”
Mike Johnson (R-LA) · Jun 3, 2026

House Republicans Cancel Iran War Powers Vote, Shielding Trump from Rebuke

House Republican leaders abruptly canceled a scheduled May 22 vote on a war powers resolution that would have compelled President Trump to withdraw from the war with Iran, after it became clear they lacked the votes to defeat it. A previous House vote on a similar measure ended 212-212 with three Republicans crossing over in favor. Democrats erupted on the floor — Rep. Jim McGovern delivered a fiery speech calling Republicans cowardly — and the vote is now expected to be rescheduled for June after recess.

“House Republicans cowardly pulled a scheduled vote on a War Powers Resolution. House Republicans refuse to show up and be accountable to the brave service members that have been recklessly put in harm's way.”
Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) · May 22, 2026

Senate Advances Iran War Powers Resolution 50-47 in Historic First

The Senate voted 50-47 on May 19, 2026 to advance a war powers resolution directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran — the first time such a measure succeeded after seven prior failed attempts. Four Republicans crossed party lines: Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy (who flipped after losing his Louisiana GOP primary). Sen. John Fetterman was the lone Democrat to oppose. The resolution must still pass a final vote and clear the House before reaching President Trump, who is expected to veto.

“I think it would be best if everybody hung together and supported the president.”
John Thune (R-SD) · May 19, 2026

US Navy Fires On and Seizes Iranian Cargo Ship Touska

The US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman on April 19, 2026 — the first forcible seizure since the US naval blockade of Iranian ports began. After six hours of warnings, Spruance fired on the Touska's engine room to disable it; US Marines then boarded and took custody. Trump announced on Truth Social that "it did not go well for them" and threatened to "take out their bridges and their power plants" if Iran doesn't sign a deal before the ceasefire expires Wednesday. Iran's joint military command accused the US of "armed piracy" and "violating the ceasefire," vowing the armed forces "will soon respond and retaliate." The seizure threw planned Islamabad peace talks into doubt, with Iran declining to confirm its participation. Iran's parliament speaker Ghalibaf declared it "impossible for others to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while we cannot."

“Today, an Iranian-flagged cargo ship named TOUSKA, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, tried to get past our naval blockade, and it did not go well for them. The Iranian crew refused to listen, so our Navy ship stopped them right in their tracks by blowing a hole in the engine room. Right now, US Marines have custody of the vessel.”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · Apr 19, 2026

Iran Re-Closes Strait of Hormuz and Fires on Indian Ships

One day after briefly reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Revolutionary Guard reversed course on April 18, 2026, re-closing the waterway and firing on two Indian-flagged merchant ships — the tanker Sanmar Herald and cargo vessel Jag Arnav — forcing them to turn back. The IRGC warned that "no vessel should make any movement" toward the strait and declared it would remain shut "until the US restores full freedom of navigation for vessels travelling from Iran." The re-closure came after President Trump declared the strait "COMPLETELY OPEN" on Truth Social while simultaneously insisting the US naval blockade on Iran would remain "in full force." Iran accused the US of violating the ceasefire deal by maintaining the blockade. India summoned Iran's ambassador, calling the attack on its ships "completely unacceptable." European allies demanded unconditional reopening of the strait.

“We're talking to them. They wanted to close up the strait again, as they've been doing for years, and they can't blackmail us.”
Donald Trump (R-FL) · Apr 18, 2026

Apr 14, 2026· Updated

US and Israel Launch Joint Military Attack on Iran

On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran — codenamed "Epic Fury" by the Pentagon and "Roaring Lion" by Israel — striking nuclear facilities, missile sites, and government compounds across Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. By Day 2, CENTCOM confirmed over 1,000 targets had been hit, and Iranian state media acknowledged that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed along with dozens of senior officials. Iran retaliated by launching waves of ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, US military bases, and Gulf states including the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, killing three US service members and eight people in Israel. Hezbollah broke its November 2024 ceasefire by firing rockets at northern Israel, the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted, and Middle Eastern airspace was largely closed. In Congress, bipartisan war powers resolutions were introduced with votes expected as early as March 4, while Trump said the operation was "ahead of schedule" and could take "four weeks or less." As of March 1, strikes continued with international calls for ceasefire from the UN, China, and others, while Oman offered mediation and Iran signaled openness to de-escalation.

“As I write this, B-2 Spirit stealth bombers and F-35 fighters are flying sorties over Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury. Our brave airmen and women are executing their mission with precision, power and courage that should make every American proud.”
Pete Stauber (R-MN) · Apr 14, 2026

Hegseth's War Prayer and the Pope's Rebuke

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth led a Pentagon prayer service on March 26, 2026, praying for "overwhelming violence of action" and asking that "every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness" in the name of Jesus Christ. Pope Leo XIV responded on Palm Sunday, declaring that God "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war." The confrontation escalated when the Pentagon excluded Catholics from Good Friday services. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the military's top Catholic leader, declared on Face the Nation that the Iran war does not meet Catholic just war criteria.

“It's a little bit problematic in the sense that the Lord Jesus certainly brought a message of peace and also, I think war is always a last resort. It's hard to cast this war as something that would be sponsored by the Lord.”
Timothy Broglio (O) · Apr 5, 2026

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