Trump looms over high-stakes DC mayoral primary

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MORNING REPORT  MORNING REPORT June 16, 2026 | By Jared Gans and Sarah Fortinsky View Online  |  Sign up Listen and Subscribe: In today's issue: ▪ High-stakes primaries in nation’s capital  ▪ World waits for Iran deal text ▪ Newsom says he’s under investigation  ▪ Obama center has Dems feeling sentimental © The Associated Press | Andrew Harnik, Julia Demaree Nikhinson and Jose Luis Magana Trump looms over D.C. mayoral primary President Trump is casting a shadow over the District of Columbia as the city’s voters head to the polls for what may be the most consequential primary elections in more than a decade.  D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) is not seeking a fourth term in office, leaving an open mayoral race for the first time since 2014 and setting up a battle between two wings of the Democratic Party.  Since Washington is one of the most solidly blue cities in the U.S., whoever wins the Democratic nomination will almost certainly win the general election in November.  The primary to succeed Bowser is crowded but likely comes down to former D.C. Council member Kenyan McDuffie, a moderate, and sitting Council member Janeese Lewis George, a democratic socialist.  The issues of boosting the economy, bringing down costs, public safety and housing are all top of mind for voters, but questions about Trump have been inescapable, with National Guard troops deployed across the city and a swirling controversy around city police cooperating with federal immigration officers.   And Trump inserted a new angle to the race with a threat for federal action last week if Lewis George wins.  “I wouldn’t like it — and maybe we take back Washington, run it on the federal basis,” Trump said at the Oval Office in response to a question from a reporter.  Lewis George has led McDuffie in the two independent surveys publicly released — in one poll by 5 points and in another by 11 points. Even if those findings are proven right, that doesn’t guarantee her victory.  D.C. will implement ranked-choice voting for the first time in its history Tuesday after voters overwhelmingly approved the system in a ballot measure in 2024. That could cause the result to be uncertain for a few days at least.  David Lublin, chair of the Department of Government at American University, said Trump’s comments may ultimately boost Lewis George.  “Being hated by President Trump is practically a seal of approval among Democrats these days, so he could be using that strategically to try to amp up someone who would make a great opponent to him,” Lublin said.  If Trump does intend to go forward with his threat, his powers are limited — especially if Democrats win back control of the House in November.   Trump and some allies have floated repealing the D.C. Home Rule Act, which has granted the district some amount of self-governing autonomy, but that would require an act of Congress.  “He can't act unilaterally, but the threat of federal interference from executives in Congress are ever present in the district,” said Amy Vruno, the executive director of DC Vote, an advocacy group pushing for strengthening democracy in the district. “We've seen numerous attempts, and some successful attempts, to interfere with local governing over the history of the district and intensifying recently.”  The district is in a uniquely vulnerable position given its lack of statehood. While Trump’s efforts to deploy the National Guard without local leaders’ consent has been blocked in court in other states, legal challenges have failed to block the deployment in D.C.  The Pentagon plans to keep the Guard in town through 2029, and the administration wants to surge their presence with 1,500 additional troops ahead of July 4. The Home Rule Act allows the president to take control of the D.C. Police Department when he determines “emergency” conditions exist, as Trump did last year. That emergency can only last 30 days without approval from Congress, but Trump could try declaring additional emergencies.  Bowser has walked a careful line during Trump’s second term, largely avoiding confrontations with the president and his allies in Congress. Both McDuffie and Lewis George have said they plan to end her administration’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities.  How to balance standing up to Trump with avoiding his wrath could shape the next two years of city politics and beyond.   “The fact that that is a consideration, having to weigh on federal interference that other people in other states don't have to weigh, is an example of why we need statehood,” Vruno said.  Democrats, who have been more sympathetic to D.C.’s self-rule, are favored to retake control of at least one house of Congress in November, which could back Trump into a corner, Lublin said.   “If he faces the Democrats holding even one house of Congress, he’ll be even more dependent on executive control, and the authority of the executive in the district is somewhat murky still constitutionally,” he said.  ▪ The Hill: Trump endorsement power faces key test.  ▪ The Washington Post: D.C. on the cusp of change.  Smart Take  with Blake Burman The annual Social Security Trustees Report reconfirmed what’s long been known: Social Security is facing a fiscal cliff. Starting in 2033, only 78 percent of benefits will be paid out if nothing changes. I asked former Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley what he believes is likely to happen.    “People of both sides of the aisle in Congress will come together with a solution,” O’Malley told me. “That solution will involve scrapping the cap at some level of income because none of them really supports cutting benefits,” he added.   The timing here is noticeable, as decisions on how to reform Social Security line up precisely with the 2032 election. Whoever wins the White House in 2028 will likely have to deal with this in their potential reelection bid.  Burman hosts "The Hill" weeknights, 6p/5c on NewsNation. 3 Things to Know Today An Alaskan election official said a candidate with the same first and last name as incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) is ineligible to appear on the ballot for Sullivan’s Senate seat. The election official said the individual, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., did not file to declare “an actual good-faith candidacy” but instead was trying to “confuse or mislead” voters.  The coach of Iran's World Cup team said the team was ordered to leave the U.S. and return to its training base in Mexico quickly after completing its first game in the tournament Monday. Iran's game ended in a 2-2 draw with New Zealand.  The Trump administration is paying tens of thousands of dollars a month to store millions of dollars' worth of expired taxpayer-funded contraceptives that were originally meant to be distributed to low-income African nations, according to a USAID inspector general report. The contraceptives got stuck in Belgium after Trump shut down the agency.  LEADING THE DAY © The Associated Press | Julia Demaree Nikhinson WATCHING AND WAITING: The international community is on the edge of its seat for the release of the text of an agreement to bring an end to the Iran war.  Trump, Vice President Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf on Sunday electronically signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to begin “real technical discussions” to end the war, senior U.S. officials said on Monday.   The agreement would extend the fragile ceasefire and lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the officials said, but it pushes the issue that triggered the conflict — Iran’s nuclear program — to talks over the next two months.  The full text will be released “sometime after Friday,” Trump said, contradicting officials who said earlier in the day that it would be released within 24-48 hours.   Vance will lead the negotiations that start on Friday. He said Iran could have access to a $300 billion reconstruction fund under the peace agreement if it upholds its end of the deal.  “We’ll be releasing the text this week, and what everybody will see is that Iran doesn’t get a dime of money unless they perform their obligations, and the money that we’re talking about is fundamentally sanctions relief,” Vance said in an interview with ABC’s “Good Morning America” on Monday.   Senior U.S. officials told reporters that the U.S. will maintain its current force posture in the region throughout the 60-day negotiation period. A U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz also remained in force as of Monday.   A deal to end the war with Iran, however, could face significant challenges ahead, especially as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu navigates a politically tricky situation at home. The Hill’s Laura Kelly reports tensions have never been higher between Trump and Netanyahu. ▪ The Hill: U.S. strategic oil reserve hits lowest level since 1983.  ▪ Washington Post: Israelis denounce Trump’s deal with Iran.  ▪ The New York Times: Trump says strait will be ‘permanently toll-free.’   A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS: Trump touted the Iran deal on Monday during the first day of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, and spoke with key allies about potential help they could provide to speed up the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.  French President Emmanuel Macron told the U.S. president that France could send fighter aircraft as early as Tuesday to conduct observation flights over the strait. He said France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which is already in the Middle East, could help in the process, as well.   “I don’t think we’re going to need much help,” Trump told Macron during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7, responding to his offer, because the strait is “going to be open,” he added, the AP reported.  “But I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have a ship or two up here from a few countries. You’d be a great country to do it,” Trump added.  ▪ The Hill: What to know as Trump arrives at G7 after announcing deal.  ▪ The Associated Press: Macron welcomes world leaders for G7 in France.  DOJ’S LATEST TARGET: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), a likely 2028 presidential contender, on Monday claimed Trump “directed his Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate” him and his wife.  He said federal agents have interviewed their family, friends and former employees and have requested records from the governor and the state’s first lady, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. He didn’t indicate what the DOJ may be investigating.  “They have not found a crime - they are simply trying to find one,” Newsom wrote in a post on the social platform X. “He [Trump] isn’t coming after me because of mean tweets, but because I am considering running for President.”  “He hates that I consistently call him out. He is simply the most corrupt President in American history. We have nothing to hide,” he continued.   The White House referred The Hill to the DOJ, which did not immediately respond to an email inquiry. A source familiar with the investigation said the investigation stemmed from whistleblowers reporting concerns to federal prosecutors in Sacramento.  ▪ The Wall Street Journal: DOJ decision on Paramount deal surprised staffers.  BIG DEAL: Fox Corp. announced Monday that it’s buying the streaming company Roku for $22 billion, giving it a “direct relationship” with more than 100 million households.  Roku, which was founded in 2002 and produces streaming devices and TVs, will continue to operate as an open and “partner-friendly” platform, according to a release from Fox. The deal is subject to approval by the federal government.  If the deal gets a green light, the combined company will be the third-largest in U.S. television by viewing share. The deal is expected to close in the first half of 2027.  “Today, we take the next step: bringing together the most valuable live content portfolio in video consumption with the preeminent streaming platform through which America watches it,” said Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch.  ▪ Barron’s: Why Fox stock dropped after the announcement.  ▪ The Washington Post: Fox making big bet on making streaming free.  WHEN & WHERE The president will participate in a working session with G7 leaders and other countries at 9 a.m. EDT. He will participate in a cultural performance at 1:15 p.m. EDT and participate in a G7 leaders’ social dinner at 2:15 p.m.  The Senate will meet at 10 a.m.  The House is out today.  ZOOM IN © The Associated Press | Angelina Katsanis FEELING SENTIMENTAL: The opening of former  President Obama’s presidential center in Chicago this week is prompting Democrats to question who their next rising star in the party will be, The Hill’s Amie Parnes reports.  Obama, broadly celebrated as one of the best political orators in decades, electrified voters with his message of “hope and change” and built a wide-reaching coalition of voters that extended beyond generational, regional or racial divides.  But despite winning the 2020 election, Democrats acknowledge that they have yet to produce a candidate since Obama that can replicate the political X factor that helped propel him to the White House.  “Barack Obama was a generational candidate,” Democratic strategist Steve Schale, who ran Obama’s successful Florida operation in 2008, told Parnes. “But there is no Obama 2.0 or Obama 3.0 in the way that Obama wasn’t Clinton 2.0 nor was Clinton a John Kennedy 2.0. Each of those men owned their own moments.”  Some Democrats say 2028 could turn out similarly to 2008, when Obama came seemingly out of nowhere to defeat Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary and the late Republican Sen. John McCain in the general election.  “I have a feeling the 2028 race could feel a lot like 2008, and it could center around a candidate we’re not yet talking about, kind of like Obama,” one Democratic donor who supported the former president told Parnes.   “We’re looking for someone who can almost shock the system,” the donor added. “In that way, I think it may be another 2008 all over again.”   ▪ The Hill: Obama ‘doubtful’ Iran deal will be ‘significantly different.’  ▪ The Hill: UFC fighter faces backlash for Michelle Obama comment.  ELSEWHERE © The Associated Press | David Zalubowski 'NOT SURVIVABLE': Eight people are believed dead after a U.S. strategic bomber crashed shortly after takeoff from an air base in California.  The U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress, a nuclear-capable aircraft, crashed on the Edwards Air Force Base late Monday morning local time during a “routine test mission.”  “Initial indications are that the crash was not survivable,” the base said.  Video of the scene showed black smoke rising from the desert. Those on board the plane included government contractors and uniformed military members, The Associated Press reported.  The airfield was closed shortly after the incident, and all inbound aircraft were diverted elsewhere. What caused the crash wasn’t immediately clear.  The B-52 bomber can fly at high subsonic speeds at 50,000 feet, carrying a payload of 70,000 pounds. It can provide close-air support, strategic attacks, offensive counter-air and maritime operations.  The base is located about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert.  ▪ NBC News: What we know about the skydiving plane crash in Missouri.  ▪ Reuters: Russian strategic bomber crashes during exercise in Siberia.  OPINION Europe must send a message by fast-tracking Ukraine for EU membership, former Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu and Dan Perry write in The Hill.  President Trump lost this war, The New York Times editorial board writes.   THE CLOSER © The Associated Press | Julia Demaree Nikhinson And finally … UFC President and CEO Dana White is pouring cold water on the possibility of hosting another mixed martial arts fight on the White House lawn following Sunday’s UFC Freedom 250.  “It was an amazing experience; this was a one-of-one,” White said, according to The Associated Press. “It will never happen again.”  The event, which took place in tandem with Trump’s 80th birthday, featured seven fights, including a major upset in the lightweight championship division. White praised the event but said it wouldn’t happen again because of high costs and logistical challenges.  UFC’s parent company covered the $60 million cost to construct the structure housing the octagon on the White House’s South Lawn. Trump has floated the idea of leaving the setup intact to host future fights, but White, an ally of the president, demurred.  “I can’t afford it,” White said.  Stay Engaged We want to hear from you! Email me here and suggest this newsletter to friends! Privacy Policy   |   View in Browser   |   Manage Subscriptions Sign Up for Other Newsletters   |   Unsubscribe   400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2026 Nexstar Media Inc.   |   All Rights Reserved