[guest post by Dana]

Perhaps he shouldn’t have treated our allies so badly. Perhaps he should have talked to those same allies about his plan to start a war. And just maybe, he shouldn’t have hurt them economically with his tariffs. He might be getting a positive response if he had:

President Donald Trump has berated and threatened America’s NATO allies. Now he wants these same countries to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz — and their response has not exactly been enthusiastic.

“This is not our war, we have not started it,” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told reporters Monday.

That appeared to sum up the mood among U.S. allies, with leaders from Berlin to London expressing reservations about Trump’s demands and indicating they had no immediate plans to provide military support to reopen the crucial waterway.

And, like all of us:

Europe needed to understand Trump’s “strategic goals. What will be the plan?” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said.

Here is a summary of responses to Trump’s demand for support from ally nations to secure the Straits of Hormuz:

JAPAN

Japan does not currently plan to dispatch naval vessels to escort ships in the Middle East, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday.

“We have not made any decisions whatsoever about dispatching escort ships. We are continuing to examine what Japan can do independently and what can be done within the legal framework,” Takaichi told parliament.

Takaichi will travel to Washington this week for talks with Trump that she said will cover the conflict with Iran.

AUSTRALIA

Australia will not send naval ships to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a government minister said on Monday.

“We won’t be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz. We know how incredibly important that is, but that’s not something that we’ve been asked or that we’re contributing to,” Catherine King, a member of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s cabinet, said in an interview with state broadcaster ABC.

SOUTH KOREA

“We will communicate closely with the U.S. regarding this matter and make a decision after careful review,” South Korea’s presidential office said on Sunday.

Under South Korea’s constitution, overseas troop deployments require parliamentary approval, and opposition figures have said any dispatch of warships to the Strait would need consent from the legislature.

BRITAIN

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he would not be “drawn into the wider Iran war” whilst reiterating he was working with allies to reopen the Strait.

“We are working with others to come up with a credible plan for the Strait of Hormuz to ensure that we can reopen shipping and passage through the Strait. Let me be clear, that won’t be and it’s never been envisioned to be a NATO mission,” he told reporters.

EUROPEAN UNION

EU foreign ministers will on Monday discuss bolstering a small naval mission in the Middle East but they are not expected to discuss expanding its role to include the choked-off Strait, diplomats and officials say.

The EU’s Aspides mission – named after the Greek word for “shields” – was established in 2024 to protect ships from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebel group in the Red Sea.

GERMANY

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday that Germany would not participate with its military in securing the Strait.

“What does Trump expect from a handful of European frigates that the powerful U.S. Navy cannot do? This is not our war, we have not started it,” Pistorius said.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in an interview with Germany’s ARD television on Sunday that he was “very sceptical” that extending Aspides ​to ​the ⁠Strait of Hormuz would provide ​greater security.

DENMARK

Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Monday ahead of the EU ministers’ meeting that it would be wise to keep an open mind to this question “as the small country that we are, but a large maritime nation”.

Even if Europe did not support the U.S.-Israeli decision to go to war, “we must face the world as it is, not as we want it to be”, he told journalists.

ITALY

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday that diplomacy was the right way to solve the crisis in the Strait, adding there were no naval missions Italy was involved in that could be extended to the area.

GREECE

A government spokesperson said on Monday that Greece would not engage in military operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Another reality that our allies understand is that Trump is not a trustworthy partner. Even ex-Trump loyalists know this.

Trump: Numerous countries have told me they're on the way. Some are very enthusiastic about it and some aren't. Some are countries that we've helped for many, many years. We've protected them from horrible outside sources, and they weren't that enthusiastic. And the level of… pic.twitter.com/3teoeTvyBu

— Acyn (@Acyn) March 16, 2026

—Dana

[guest post by Dana]

Let’s go!

First news item

Thankfully, no children were injured:

The FBI is investigating a car ramming attack on a large Detroit-area synagogue Thursday as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community,” the special agent in charge for the region said.

The suspect was killed by security staff members at Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, officials said.

A preschool was in session at the temple, which is in a suburb around 30 miles northwest of downtown Detroit, but no children or school staff members were injured, officials said.

Note: ”All of us have thoughts of maybe why this happened,” Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said at the news conference. “But we don’t operate in a world where we can presume something. We have to determine it through investigation.”

P.S. According to CNN, explosive devices were found inside the attacker’s car.

Second news item

Terror attack in Virginia:

Authorities are investigating a shooting at a Virginia college Thursday that left one victim dead and two injured as an act of terrorism, FBI Director Kash Patel said.

The gunfire erupted shortly before 11 a.m. in an ROTC classroom at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, officials said.

The victim, Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, was an ROTC instructor described by Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger as a devoted teacher who “didn’t just lead a life of service to our country, he taught and led others to follow that path.”

About the shooter:

The gunman, a former member of the Army National Guard who previously pleaded guilty to terrorism-related charges, was also killed in the shooting. The FBI identified him as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, 36.

Dominique Evans, special agent in charge of the agency’s Norfolk field office, said that he shouted “Allahu Akbar” and was subdued by students who “rendered him no longer alive.”

Hope the authorities figure out a motive for this horrendous event.

Third news item

There’s more than just a possible scheduling problem:

A company affiliated with President Donald Trump’s eponymous memecoin is advertising plans to host a luncheon next month for the cryptocurrency token’s top 297 investors with Trump himself.

There’s just one problem: Trump may be busy.

The April 25 gathering at Mar-a-Lago, billed as “THE MOST EXCLUSIVE CRYPTO & BUSINESS CONFERENCE IN THE WORLD,” is expected to include a luncheon featuring Trump as keynote speaker, according to the memecoin’s official website and its social media account, which began promoting the event Thursday. The top 29 investors would even be invited to a special reception with Trump.

Fourth news item

U.S. refueling goes wrong:

A U.S. refueling aircraft “went down” in friendly airspace in western Iraq, with rescue efforts ongoing, U.S. Central Command said Thursday.

“Two aircraft were involved in the incident,” CENTCOM said in a brief statement. “One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely.”

The incident resulted in the loss of a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft, CENTCOM said. The other aircraft involved was also a KC-135 tanker, according to a U.S. official.

“This was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” CENTCOM said.

Four service members died as a result.

Fifth news item

The power and folly of a dictator:

The outlook for Russia in its current state is unsustainable and its place in the global community, with few exceptions, is reduced to that of a pariah. It is beset with an uncertain future that may ultimately see it fail catastrophically much in the way it occurred just 35 years ago. All of this is attributable to the mental state of a single individual [Vladimir Putin] who has driven his nation to the brink of collapse and all for the purpose of attempting to reclaim the questionable glory of an imperial past. Putin has committed himself to a task that he is seemingly incapable of abandoning in spite of foreseeable calamity. He alone will carry the blame, but it will be Russia’s future that will suffer the consequences.

A very good essay. Read the whole thing.

Sixth news item

This:

For the last few years, I have repeatedly heard a phrase uttered by politicians, activists, and commentators that has irritated me.

“The rise in antisemitism.”

Calling what is aggressively permeating American society and popular and political culture a “rise in antisemitism” vastly understates the problem because it makes the phenomenon sound like a temporary increase in incidents or statistics.

What we are actually dealing with is something far more pervasive than a statistical uptick. It is an ideological contagion. It is spreading across political movements, social media platforms, and countries.

This ideological contagion is not only spreading among the usual suspects. It is also rapidly radicalizing people in demographics that have not historically been associated with anti-Jewish prejudice — and certainly not with violence against Jews.

That is why I describe it as a pandemic of Jew-hatred rather than a mere rise.

Seventh news item

If the shoe fits:

The US president has been buying his favourite shoes for his staff so frequently that they have become the unofficial White House uniform.

One female White House official told the Wall Street Journal: “All the boys have them. It’s hysterical because everybody’s afraid not to wear them.”

Mr Trump has fallen in love with Florsheim, a brand that sells some pairs for as little as $49.90 (£37.27) – a far cry from his expensive Brioni suits.

The president has been buying the shoes for agency heads and members of Congress. He often speaks about how “incredible” they are.

Such is Mr Trump’s devotion to the brand, that he guesses people’s shoe size in front of them, puts in the order, and a week later it turns up, sometimes with the president’s signature on the box.

Agency heads and members of Congress will let Trump humiliate them every single time. That’s the agreed-upon price to be near the seat of power. They wear their clown shoes understanding the obligation, even while dying inside every time they tie the laces. They are simply too afraid not to wear them – even if the shoes are the wrong size. It’s no wonder that these scared rabbits very rarely, if at all, stand up to the president about core issues, even when they know it would be the right thing to do.

Heh: The company making the shoes sued Trump over tariffs. . .

Have a great weekend.

—Dana

[guest post by Dana]

Hedgehogs are simply cuter, and more importantly, less offensive and controversial than. . . Winston Churchill:

The Bank of England has confirmed Sir Winston Churchill will be scrapped from banknotes and replaced with images of wildlife.

The central bank will soon ask the public which animals they want to appear on the next set of £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes – but confirmed the wartime hero Prime Minister would not be staying.

The move to replace historical figures with animals was described as “significant” and “overdue” by celebrity bird-watcher Nadeem Perera, who sits on the bank’s panel of wildlife experts who will choose which English species will appear on the next set of banknotes.

Charles C.W. Cooke snorts at the claim of the banknote changes being “overdue,” while listing the illustrious individuals who are currently depicted on British notes, including: Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing. All notable contributors to British life. Of course, Churchill stands in a class alone. Previously, British banknotes have depicted James Watt, Charles Darwin, Elizabeth Fry, Edward Elgar, Isaac Newton, Charles Dickens, Adam Smith, Michael Faraday, George Stephenson, Christopher Wren, Florence Nightingale, and William Shakespeare.

As Cooke points out, the problem is: Too many of these noted individuals (looking at you, Mr. Churchill) are controversial, while benign hedgehogs and foxes don’t require defense or explanation:

Animals are abstractions; people are not. People — real, discrete, identifiable people, with names and achievements and sins — are invariably imperfect. People have attributes that are unpleasant or embarrassing or awkwardly rooted in their eras. People require defending from the cultural vandals who like to elevate their flaws over their virtues. That defense takes patience, grace, and courage.

Evidently, the Bank of England no longer has that courage. Perhaps England in general no longer has that courage. If so, this story is not really about what goes on the money, but about how Britain sees itself, and how Britain wants to be seen around the world. Increasingly, it seems that Britain does not want to be seen at all. Its political rulers do not like its flag, its spiritual leaders do not like its church, its historians do not like its history. All those centuries of achievement, innovation, and inquiry, and the only symbol that is now acceptable to the custodians is a hedgehog? Half a league, half a league, half a league onward — all in the valley of Nothing.

To this American, it’s rather unbelievable that Churchill has become culturally passé because (checks notes) he saved the world.

—Dana

[guest post by Dana]

Really awful news:

An ongoing military investigation has determined that the United States is responsible for a deadly Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school, according to U.S. officials and others familiar with the preliminary findings.

The Feb. 28 strike on the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school building was the result of a targeting mistake by the U.S. military, which was conducting strikes on an adjacent Iranian base of which the school building was formerly a part, the preliminary investigation found. Officers at U.S. Central Command created the target coordinates for the strike using outdated data provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency, people briefed on the investigation said.

The administration response to the preliminary findings:

President Trump’s attempts to sidestep the blame for the strike have also already complicated the inquiry, leaving officials who have reviewed the findings showing U.S. culpability expressing unease. The people interviewed for this story spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation and Mr. Trump’s assertion at one point that Iran, not the United States, was responsible.

“As The New York Times acknowledges in its own reporting, the investigation is still ongoing,” Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said in a statement.

Asked about this article as he left the White House on Wednesday for a trip to promote his economic agenda in Ohio and Kentucky, Mr. Trump replied, “I don’t know about that.”

Q: You just suggested Iran got a Tomahawk and bombed its own elementary school. But you're the only person in your govt saying this. Even your defense secretary wouldn't say that. Why are you the only person saying this?

TRUMP: Because I just don't know enough about it. It's… pic.twitter.com/C9yy4RFFSj

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 9, 2026

Reports estimate that 165 to 175 individuals were killed by the strike on the school.

What a horrible tragedy. Hopefully the full investigation will provide concrete answers as to why this happened, and subsequently act to prevent such a horrific event from happening again.

Also, do you think the mistaken bombing of the school speaks to a disorganized plan and changing objectives of our involvement in Iran?

—Dana

[guest post by Dana]

Hegseth: You see, this is not 2003. This is not endless nation building under those types of quagmires we saw under Bush or Obama. It's not even close. Our generation of soldier will not let that happen again. And nor will this president who very clearly ran against those kinds… pic.twitter.com/PHJ5Zv3Nhj

— Acyn (@Acyn) March 10, 2026

It’s possible that Hegseth didn’t say what the objectives are because not even POTUS knows what’s going on:

Q: You said the war is 'very complete.' But your defense secretary says 'this is just the beginning.' So which is it?

TRUMP: You could say both pic.twitter.com/4orXm5ZM4b

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 9, 2026

Perhaps, in yesterday’s phone call with Putin about Iran, Trump wasn’t given further information about the goals. What we do know is, that after the call, Trump eased sanctions on Russia:

Trump on Russia: We're gonna take those sanctions off until this straightens out. Who knows, maybe we won't have to put them on
pic.twitter.com/mHyWAuGDMH

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) March 9, 2026

So, really, all we know for sure is that Trump continues to suck up to Putin and help him in any way that he can. This, despite Russia giving Iran information on American troop locations. How is this not the behavior of a traitor??

Instead of discussing the Iranian conflict with Putin, it would be a good idea if Trump discussed the objectives of the U.S. mission in Iran with Congress.

—Dana

[guest post by Dana]

Let’s go!

First news item

Well, this should put a crimp in Trump’s vile embrace of Putin. But will it?:

Russia has provided Iran with targeting information on US military assets in the Middle East since the outbreak of the war, three officials familiar with the intelligence told the Washington Post, marking the first indication that another major US adversary may be involved in the conflict.

According to the officials, Moscow has passed Tehran the locations of American military platforms, including warships and aircraft, since the fighting began on Saturday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the intelligence.

. . .

One of the officials said the information shared by Russia included the positions of US military assets operating in the region. The intelligence was reportedly provided to help Iran identify potential targets linked to American forces deployed across the Middle East.

Apparently the White House doesn’t care that Russia is providing Iran with targeting information:

Leavitt on reports that Russia is sharing intelligence with Iran to help them target US assets: "Whether or not this happened, frankly, it does not really matter" pic.twitter.com/aTQfmjRSMg

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 6, 2026

As long as Trump keeps Vlad happy, that’s what matters. Too bad, so sad, Americans in the region. Priorities, people.

It’s in the open, and now we all know.

Second news item

Noem is out:

President Donald Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, making her the first Cabinet secretary to leave her post and capping off a tumultuous year in which she oversaw his increasingly unpopular mass deportation agenda.

Alongside the announcement of Noem’s ouster, Trump said he would tap Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., to replace her, elevating a fiercely loyal first-term senator.

Trump’s fury: Trump was reportedly “mad as a murder hornet” when he heard that Noem testified that he had approved a $220 million budget, claiming that he did not know about it. Except:

Trump said he didn’t approve the $220M DHS ad campaign. But Noem told this story at a CPAC dinner more than a year ago pic.twitter.com/8xOI63Pr1H

— Nick Miroff (@NickMiroff) March 6, 2026

So Noem wasn’t fired because a judge found that under her leadership ICE “detained immigrants illegally more than 4,440 times since October,” or that Noem tried to block members of Congress from going inside detention centers. Nope, she exposed and embarrassed the thin-skinned narcissist and had to go.

P.S. About Trump’s nominee to replace Noem:

“You’re a U.S. senator!”

Bernie stops Noem’s replacement from literally trying to fight someone👇🏽

This should go great pic.twitter.com/YPLod9lmFX

— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) March 5, 2026

Third news item

Facing murder charge, but still wins nomination:

An Arkansas primary race is drawing national attention—Aaron Spencer, who is currently facing a second-degree murder charge, has won the Republican nomination for Lonoke County sheriff.

Spencer was arrested in 2024 for the killing of Michael Fosler, 67, who was out on bond after allegedly sexually assaulting Spencer’s then-13-year-old daughter.

“I’ve never had a defendant be running for the sheriff or any office while, you know, there, this is a court case that’s going on,” said Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney Chuck Graham.

The trial was originally scheduled to start in January, but the Arkansas Supreme Court removed the presiding judge from the case at the request of Spencer’s defense and appointed retired Circuit Judge Ralph Wilson.

Reports say that Spencer went to find his daughter when he discovered her missing from her bed, and found her in a truck with Fosler, and shot him. He then called 911..

Arkansas law states

(a) A person is justified in using deadly physical force upon another person if the person reasonably believes that the other person is:

(1) Committing or about to commit a felony involving physical force or violence;

(2) Using or about to use unlawful deadly physical force; or

(3) Imminently endangering the person’s life or imminently about to victimize the person from the continuation of a pattern of domestic abuse.

(b) A person is not required to retreat before using deadly physical force if the person:

(1) Is lawfully present at the location where deadly physical force is used;

(2) Has a reasonable belief that the person against whom the deadly physical force is used is imminently threatening to cause death or serious physical injury to the person or another person. . .

Spencer has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Fourth news item

About the President of the United States:

The Justice Department posted a trio of FBI interviews with a woman who alleged President Donald Trump sexually assaulted her when she was a young teenager after she was introduced to him by Jeffrey Epstein.

The woman’s central allegation, according to FBI summaries of her interviews with investigators, known as FBI 302s, is that Trump hit her after she. . .[graphic detail]

The three files come as Democrats are investigating whether the department purposefully withheld materials that included sexual assault allegations against Trump.

Trump has denied wrongdoing in relation to the Epstein allegations and he hasn’t been charged with a crime in connection with them. There’s no evidence to suggest Trump took part in Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. Many of the materials released by the Justice Department lack substantiation or context.

Note:

Need to reinforce: These documents contain unsubstantiated allegations against Trump.

Notable: These documents were posted the day after Pam Bondi was subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee.

Fifth news item

From President Zelensky:

We received a request from the United States for specific support in protection against “shaheds” in the Middle East region. I gave instructions to provide the necessary means and ensure the presence of Ukrainian specialists who can guarantee the required security. Ukraine helps partners who help ensure our security and protect the lives of our people. Glory to Ukraine!

Well, look who has the cards now.

Meanwhile:

The United States joined Russia, China, and ‌Niger on Thursday in opposing a resolution adopted by the U.N. nuclear watchdog’s board denouncing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure as a threat to nuclear safety, diplomats said.

The resolution, passed by the ​International Atomic Energy Agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors, is the seventh on Ukraine ​since Russia invaded its neighbour four years ago.

“While we continue supporting the IAEA’s work in-country, ​we do not support the Board’s current consideration of an unnecessary resolution that does not ​help achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia,” the United States said in its statement to the board before the vote.

Sixth news item

I guess “it depends upon what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is war is”:

In a phone interview with TIME on Wednesday, Trump acknowledged the possibility that Americans should be worried about retaliatory attacks at home. “I guess,” he said. “But I think they’re worried about that all the time. We think about it all the time. We plan for it. But yeah, you know, we expect some things. Like I said, some people will die. When you go to war, some people will die.”

Mike Johnson:

“We're not at war, we have no intention at being at war. The president and the Department of Defense have made it very clear, this is a limited operation." pic.twitter.com/HNWr4GJCwn

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) March 6, 2026

Have a great weekend.

—Dana

[guest post by Dana]

It couldn’t have happened to a nicer person:

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday took the remarkable step of issuing a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi, compelling her to appear to answer questions about the Epstein files.

The resolution to subpoena Bondi was introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and passed in a bipartisan 24-19 vote.

“There’s over 65,000 documents missing, and we know there are more than 2,000 videos that are out there. They’re not giving Congress all the information or all the documents, and they’re obfuscating. And I’d like to ask questions about that in our deposition,” Mace told reporters shortly after the vote.

—Dana

[guest post by Dana]

That was then:

President Trump: “Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!”

Vice President JD Vance: “I can say to the American people with great confidence that they are much further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago. That was the objective of the mission, to destroy that Fordow nuclear site, and of course, do some damage to the other sites as well, but we feel very confident that the Fordow nuclear site was substantially set back, and that was our goal.”

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: “Based on everything we have seen — and I’ve seen it all — our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons. Our massive bombs hit exactly the right spot at each target and worked perfectly. The impact of those bombs is buried under a mountain of rubble in Iran; so anyone who says the bombs were not devastating is just trying to undermine the President and the successful mission.”

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard: “The operation was a resounding success. Our missiles were delivered precisely and accurately, obliterating key Iranian capabilities needed to quickly assemble a nuclear weapon.”

Screenshot

This is now:

Trump: "If we didn't hit within 2 weeks, they would've had a nuclear weapon. When crazy people have nuclear weapons bad things happen." pic.twitter.com/8qru7brKFS

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 4, 2026

It’s hard enough to try and sell Americans on the Iran conflict when six American troops have already died. And it’s hard enough to try and sell Americans on the Iran conflict when the President contradicts himself and other cabinet members and agencies that also made similar pronouncements not even a year ago.

—Dana

The war in Iran presents difficult constitutional and civic questions. On one hand, the Constitution grants to Congress the sole power to declare war. On the other hand, there are difficult questions about whether the current conflict — which President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have called a “war” and which decapitated the regime in power — is truly a “war” demanding Congressional approval. There is also the question, little addressed in our public discussion, of “even if the Constitution says it’s up to Congress Trump gets to do what he wants and what are you gonna do about it anyway?” What, indeed? Given these difficult and thorny questions, Jeff Maurer has a modest proposal that would at least keep Americans informed, in the way they like best to be informed, as to why our men and women in uniform may need to die:

Congress must reassert its authority. But a new law needs to be practical; one reason the War Powers Act is functionally dead is that its scope is too broad for modern air campaigns. And both parties fear constraining the president in a way that compromises national security. So, we need a law that rolls back the president’s absolute power but fits with modern notions of the balance of power between Congress and the President.

With that in mind, I propose this: The president must submit one TikTok video of at least two minutes in length every three months explaining the war. No more than 90 seconds of the video can be dancing. And in that video, the president must explain:

1. Which country we are at war with;

2. Whether or not this is the kind of war where Americans die; and

3. How the war is going on a scale from Platoon (bad) to Top Gun (awesome).

It’s an intriguing proposal — one that addresses the problem that addresses to Congress are “boring as hell” but nevertheless demands transparency and openness. The Constitution demands no less. As Maurer says: “I’m a stickler about the constitution; Article One clearly gives the war power to Congress. And therefore, we must accept nothing less than a now-and-again Cliff Notes update released on an app built for spying and child abuse.”

[guest post by Dana]

What’s the real story here:

Trump administration officials told congressional staff in private briefings Sunday that U.S. intelligence did not suggest Iran was preparing to launch a pre-emptive strike against the U.S. The administration officials instead acknowledged there was a more general threat in the region from Iran’s missiles and proxy forces.

Yet Trump on Monday repeated his assertion that the U.S. needed to take action because of concerns that Iran was aiming to build ballistic missiles that could reach the United States.

However, building and completing ballistic missiles that could reach the U.S. wouldn’t happen anytime soon:

The Defense Intelligence Agency released a missile threat assessment in May 2025 that said Iran could develop a long-range missile by 2035 if it chooses to pursue it.

“The U.S. intelligence community has been making a similar assessment (that Iran might have an (intercontinental ballistic missile) in a decade) since the mid-1990s,” Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, told PolitiFact.

. . .

Building a functional intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking the US would require overcoming substantial technical hurdles, such as producing a nuclear warhead and successfully miniaturizing it, Eliana Johns, a Federation of American Scientists senior research associate, said.

Ultimately:

In assessing Trump’s justification for Iranian strikes, The New York Times cited three unnamed American officials with access to intelligence about Iran’s missile programs who said Trump exaggerated the immediacy of the threat to the U.S. Other outlets including CNN and Reuters had similar reporting.

So, seeing Trump’s latest rationales diminished, what is the real reason for U.S. involvement in Iran at this time? Possibilities I’ve read include:

• As with Putin, Trump can’t/won’t say NO to Netanyahu (for whatever reason).
• Trump is trying to draw Americans’ attention away from the Epstein files.
• Trump is very worried about the midterms. Thus decisive action would make him look like a strong leader.

Note:

Even before this weekend’s escalation, members of Congress, including U.S. Reps Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, were preparing to introduce a bipartisan war powers resolution to head off unilateral action by Trump in the Middle East, citing fears of another costly “endless” war that risks destabilizing the region and endangering U.S. citizens.

Dan Urman, director of the law and public policy minor at Northeastern University, who teaches courses on the Supreme Court, said the war powers resolution has never been tested on the merits in court. He added that courts “look for ways to punt and avoid lawsuits” as it pertains to the president’s use of the military.

A court could try to order a president to halt his actions, but courts do not have their own armed forces, Urman said, noting “What if Trump doesn’t comply? Then we can have a constitutional crisis.”

Thoughts?

—Dana