Monday Afternoon News Updates: Trump's Desperate Iran Plot, Another ICE Shooting, a Major Court Loss + More – 7/13/26
Your Monday midday roundup is here.
Hi all, Ben here. It’s Monday, and it feels like a week’s worth of news has already transpired before lunch. Let’s break it down.
Here’s what we’re tracking today:
Trump declares the US will “run” the Strait of Hormuz and charge a 20% cargo fee
Overnight US strikes hit Iranian oil, gas, and water infrastructure, Iran claims phased retaliation against Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait
Satellite trackers spot a Special Forces mothership near Oman and Russian officials flying into Tehran
Oil prices spike again as the Strategic Petroleum Reserve nears empty
Marco Rubio announces a campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court
Trump pushes for Lindsey Graham’s sister to fill his Senate seat
A federal judge shreds Trump’s lawsuit against his own IRS over the “Anti-Weaponization Fund”
New rules require English proficiency for commercial drivers
A man is shot and killed by ICE agents in Biddeford, Maine
Schiff’s office uncovers more taxpayer money spent on giant Trump banners
Newsom signs EV rebates and business incentives into law in California, as well as affordable housing legislation
Pete Buttigieg keynotes Iowa Democrats’ annual dinner
A dozen Democratic states sue to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger
A proof of life photo is released by Mitch McConnell’s team
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Let’s get into it.
