Good morning everyone. Happy Tuesday. There is a lot to cover today. Steve Bannon is claiming that deploying ICE agents to airports is a test run for the 2026 midterms, while momentum is building toward a possible end to the shutdown as the White House appears ready to concede to key Democratic demands. At the same time, the war involving Iran is escalating, with major ballistic strikes hitting Israel overnight, and the U.S. has now recorded its fourth meteor sighting in just one week.
On a personal note, I’m incredibly excited to share that this Substack is now the number one news newsletter in the world for six straight months. That is hard to even process, and it speaks to what we are building together. Despite the pressure and the attacks, we are reaching tens of millions and continuing to grow.
Here’s the news:
- Steve Bannon suggested that deploying ICE officers at airports during TSA staffing shortages could serve as a “test run” for having immigration agents present at polling places in the 2026 elections, arguing they could help check IDs and prevent illegal voting. The comments came as ICE agents were temporarily assigned to assist with airport operations amid long security lines caused by a DHS shutdown and staffing issues, though officials said they would not conduct security screenings.
- The Washington Post confirmed that Donald Trump cast a mail-in ballot in a Florida special election despite actively pushing legislation that would restrict mail-in voting nationwide. His vote comes as he advocates for the Save America Act, which includes tighter rules on mail-in ballots and new voter ID and citizenship requirements. The move highlights a contrast between his personal voting method and his broader efforts to limit that option for others.
- A new survey from Bright Line Watch, a nonpartisan project that tracks democratic norms through surveys of political scientists and the public, found that U.S. democracy has stabilized at a weakened level after a sharp decline, remaining well below pre–Trump second-term levels. While ratings briefly improved from historic lows, they have settled into a lower “new normal,” with experts seeing little evidence of near-term recovery. The findings are based on multiple survey waves of hundreds of scholars and Americans, reflecting growing concern about entrenched democratic erosion and deep partisan divisions in public perception.
- Senate Republicans signaled growing confidence about reaching a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security after a White House meeting with Donald Trump. Key lawmakers, including Susan Collins and Katie Britt, suggested progress had been made but declined to share specifics, with leadership indicating details are not yet finalized. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, though not present, described the discussions as “constructive” and said he feels positive about the direction of negotiations.
- Senator Markwayne Mullin has been confirmed as homeland security secretary and is set to be sworn in at the White House, with Donald Trump expected to attend. He secured approval in a 54–45 Senate vote that included support from two Democrats, while Republican Rand Paul opposed the nomination. Following Mullin’s departure from the Senate, Oklahoma’s governor will appoint a temporary replacement for his seat.
- A new analysis of Treasury data argues that the U.S. government is effectively insolvent, with roughly $47.8 trillion in liabilities far exceeding its assets and total obligations surpassing $136 trillion when including long-term commitments like Social Security and Medicare. The report highlights worsening deficits, rising debt, and long-standing accounting issues, warning of a looming fiscal crisis unless major reforms are enacted.
- Iran launched a new wave of missile attacks targeting Tel Aviv, damaging a residential area, even as Donald Trump claimed progress toward peace negotiations in the Middle East. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard rejected those claims, saying U.S. messaging would not deter their military actions, underscoring ongoing tensions despite talk of diplomacy.
- Footage from Tel Aviv shows Israeli air defense systems intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles midair, illuminating the night sky with explosions. The scenes highlight the intensity of the attacks and Israel’s layered defense efforts, which aim to stop incoming threats before impact, though some debris and missiles still reach the ground.
- Reuters has confirmed that Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, has been working to broker potential peace talks between the U.S. and Iran, including a call with Donald Trump, with Islamabad emerging as a possible venue for negotiations. While discussions could begin soon, no formal agreement has been reached and Iran has expressed deep distrust of the U.S., even as multiple countries attempt to mediate the conflict.
- According to NBC News, Qatar’s foreign ministry said the country is not involved in any current U.S.-Iran negotiations, despite its history as a regional mediator, including brokering a 2024 Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Spokesman Majed al-Ansari emphasized that while Qatar supports diplomatic efforts and is open to assisting if asked, it is not participating in these talks and lacks details about any ongoing negotiations.
- Lebanon has expelled Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, revoking his accreditation and ordering him to leave the country within days, according to Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi. The move comes amid escalating tensions in the region, as Israel continues airstrikes against Iran-backed Hezbollah and expands its military presence in southern Lebanon.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to testify in the federal trial of his former roommate and ex-congressman David Rivera, who is accused of secretly lobbying for Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro during the Trump administration. Prosecutors allege Rivera used his political connections, including ties to Rubio, to influence U.S. policy while failing to register as a foreign agent and receiving millions in payments. Rivera has pleaded not guilty, claiming his work was legitimate and not political lobbying.
- A federal judge ruled that deposition videos of two former Department of Government Efficiency staffers can be released, saying concerns about embarrassment or threats do not outweigh the public’s interest in transparency. The court found the Justice Department failed to prove that removing the widely circulated videos would meaningfully reduce harm, especially given their extensive online spread. The footage, tied to a lawsuit over federal funding cuts, shows staffers discussing decisions to eliminate grants using tools like keyword searches and AI.
- A meteor was spotted over Michigan as part of a broader surge in fireball sightings across the U.S., with similar events reported in Ohio, Texas, and California in recent days. Scientists say the activity is linked to a meteor shower from the Puppis constellation, which began around March 21 and is expected to continue through March 27. NASA data shows more than 20 such incidents in the past three weeks, drawing growing public attention.
- A group of seven missing dogs in China went viral after a video showed them walking over 17 kilometers back to their village, eventually reuniting with their owners after several days. Led by a corgi, the dogs traveled through cold conditions, sparking concern and online speculation about their disappearance before officials said they likely wandered off on their own.
- After months of legal disputes and leadership turnover, a career prosecutor, Robert Frazer, has been appointed as the new U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. Frazer, who has over two decades of experience in the office and most recently served as senior trial counsel, was selected following consultations between federal judges and the Department of Justice. The chief judge formally confirmed his appointment, marking a resolution to the recent upheaval in the district’s federal prosecutor leadership.
- The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments today on whether Donald Trump’s administration can limit asylum processing at the southern border through a policy known as “metering,” which allows officials to turn away migrants when crossings are deemed overwhelmed. The case focuses on whether migrants stopped on the Mexican side have legally “arrived” in the U.S. and are therefore entitled to seek asylum. The policy, previously halted under Joe Biden after a lower court ruled it unlawful, is part of a broader push by Trump to tighten asylum access that continues to face legal challenges.
- A U.S. Park Police officer was seriously wounded in an apparent ambush shooting in southeast Washington, D.C., after two gunmen opened fire on his unmarked vehicle during an investigation. The officer was hospitalized in stable condition, and authorities are searching for the suspects while federal agencies assist in the investigation.
- NBC News confirmed that Afghanistan’s Taliban government has released American academic Dennis Coyle, who had been detained since January 2025 on unspecified charges, citing humanitarian considerations around the Eid al-Fitr holiday. Officials said his release followed appeals from his family and a determination that his time in detention was sufficient.
- Veteran journalist Bob Woodward is releasing a new memoir, “Secrets: A Reporter’s Memoir,” set for publication on September 29, reflecting on his decades covering U.S. politics from Watergate to the Trump era. The book promises to reveal insights from his extensive reporting career, during which he chronicled every presidency since Richard Nixon’s and helped expose the Watergate scandal.
- Dayton Webber, a 27-year-old Maryland man and the first quadruple amputee professional cornhole player, has been arrested on suspicion of murder after allegedly shooting and killing a passenger during an argument in his car. Authorities say he fled the scene before being located and arrested in Virginia, and he now faces multiple charges as the investigation continues.
See you soon.
— Aaron
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