HERE TO STAY: Americans might have to face higher prices at the gas pump for the time being despite moves to check the soaring cost of oil.
The International Energy Agency (IEA), a coalition made up of 32 member countries, announced Wednesday it would release 400 million barrels of oil reserves to try to alleviate price hikes caused by the conflict in Iran. That's the largest-ever release of the IEA's stockpiles in its history.
The move comes after the cost of crude oil reached its highest point in four years earlier this week, jumping to more than $100 per barrel. It dropped somewhat soon after, but it surged back above $100 per barrel overnight despite the news of the IEA's release.
The U.S. and international community have been seeking to respond to Iran's move to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping lane, in response to the strikes. Tehran has also reportedly begun placing mines in the area to ward off ships attempting to pass through.
The Energy Department revealed Wednesday the U.S. plans to release 172 million barrels of oil as part of the IEA's overall output starting next week.
Although the release of oil reserves is designed to cool off costs, past instances of the IEA releasing reserves have had mixed results. And Iran is warning that high prices are here to stay.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the world should expect the cost of oil to reach $200 per barrel because the price depends on "regional stability," which has been disrupted.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), a close ally of the president, said gas prices will likely stay above prior levels as long as the conflict persists. Trump has said he expects the increase will be a "short-term" effect and that Americans will accept the brief spike for the greater goal of opposing Iran.
Other Republicans have expressed concern that rising prices could hurt the GOP at the ballot box as the midterms approach.
▪ The Hill: Former senator says farmers are feeling higher prices.
▪ The Hill: Senate Dems push for probe into moves to ease Russian oil sanctions.
TRUMP RALLY: The president held his first campaign-style rally since the outbreak of the U.S. strikes against Iran on Wednesday, promoting what he called an "excursion."
"We did an excursion. You know what an excursion is? We had to take a little trip to get rid of some evil, very evil people," Trump said in Hebron, Ky.
He praised the U.S. military as the "best in the world by far," adding that he didn't know "we're going to have to be showing it off so much."
Trump concentrated his attention on Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a top foe who has repeatedly clashed with the president and represents the area of Kentucky where the president traveled Wednesday.
"He is the worst person. ... How the hell did he ever end up in Kentucky? His name is Thomas Massie," Trump said to boos in the crowd for Massie.
Trump has endorsed former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein in the primary to oust Massie.
"Ed Gallrein has my complete and total endorsement. He's a true American hero and he's a great patriot," he said. "He's doing it because he saw what [Massie] was doing to our country."
INVESTIGATION REQUEST: A bipartisan group of senators is requesting the Government Accountability Office (GAO) open an investigation into the Department of Justice's (DOJ) handling of the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
The lawmakers argue in a letter sent to the GAO that the DOJ has failed to comply with the requirements of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated that the federal government release its files on the disgraced financier with limited exceptions. But they pointed to the many redactions in the millions of files released.
The DOJ declared its review of the Epstein files was complete last month, but critics have pointed to apparent missing information. One of the most high-profile instances were files containing records of interviews the FBI conducted with a woman who made claims against Trump and Epstein.
Meanwhile, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is moving forward with its investigation into Epstein, awaiting a formal response from Attorney General Pam Bondi to the subpoena it sent her last week for testimony. If she testifies, she will become the highest-ranking Trump official yet to appear before the panel in its investigation.
▪ BBC: Keir Starmer was warned of risk of Peter Mandelson appointment.
▪ The Hill: Trump-Epstein 'Titanic' statue appears on National Mall.
ATTORNEY TO CANDIDATE: A former DOJ attorney who received attention for complaining about an overwhelming caseload from the administration's immigration enforcement operations launched a bid for Congress on Wednesday.
Julie Le was removed from her post last month after telling a federal judge "this job sucks." Now, she's launched a primary challenge opposing Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), saying she would be a more moderate lawmaker than the incumbent.
Le's campaign website states her three main priorities would be immigration reform, education funding and healthcare access. Le will face Omar in the August primary in a strongly Democratic-leaning district.
RACE IS ON: Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.) officially threw his hat in the ring for Sen. Markwayne Mullin's (R-Okla.) Senate seat, putting a high-profile name in the mix.
Mullin, whose seat was already up for election this year, currently appears to be on track for confirmation as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with most Republicans rallying behind him to replace Kristi Noem.
Mullin is scheduled to appear before the Senate for a confirmation hearing next Wednesday, as Trump looks for him to take over DHS by the end of the month.
If he is confirmed, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) will be responsible for appointing an interim replacement who cannot run for the remainder of the term under state law. Stitt, who chairs the National Governors Association, is expected to meet with Trump at the White House today, Politico reported.
Hern said he chose to run because "the American Dream is under threat by the radical left and RINO Republicans who oppose President Trump's America-first agenda and want to turn the United States into a third-world country."
Oklahoma strategists told The Hill they view Hern as the likely front-runner, though other potential contenders such as Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) are also considering their own bids.
▪ The Hill: Mullin departure creates 'House whisperer' vacancy.
▪ The Hill: The GOP horse race for Trump's favor.
'COURSE CORRECTION': The House speaker acknowledged a potential vulnerability for the GOP on immigration going into the midterms, suggesting the party take a different approach.
Johnson said in an interview during the House Republican retreat that the party has a "little hiccup" with some Hispanic and Latino voters in particular because of immigration enforcement actions viewed as "overzealous," The New York Times reported.
"And, you know, everybody can describe it differently. But here's the good news: We're in a course correction mode right now," Johnson said, pointing to expected new leadership for DHS with Mullin nominated to replace Noem.
Republicans' strength on immigration has shifted to a vulnerability in recent months amid widespread backlash to the administration's policies, particularly over the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of federal immigration agents in Minnesota.
Johnson's comments came hours after top Republican officials advised lawmakers to avoid discussing "mass deportations" of undocumented immigrants on the campaign trail, the Times reported.
CONFIRMATION: The Senate overwhelmingly voted to confirm Gen. Joshua Rudd as the director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command, filling a vacancy that has been in place for nearly a year.
Rudd was confirmed Wednesday in a 71-29 vote. He has already been serving as the deputy director of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
The NSA has been without a permanent head since last April, when Trump fired the past director, retired Gen. Timothy Haugh, and his civilian deputy, Wendy Noble. The firings came after Trump met with conservative activist Laura Loomer, who argued some people on the White House National Security Council were not sufficiently loyal to Trump's agenda.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has objected to Rudd's nomination, arguing he isn't qualified for the role, but lawmakers were able to overcome his objection.
▪ The Hill: Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) pushes for end to Federal Reserve probe.
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