June 2, 2026 | By Cate Martel
|
|
|
|
It’s Tuesday. I can’t believe how close my informal Diet Coke vs. Coke Zero poll is. It’s literally tied! I guess The Wall Street Journal is right about its reporting.
Oh, and who else is excited about Taylor Swift writing a song for “Toy Story 5?!” Only three days until we can hear it!!
|
Trump’s controversial pick for DNI successor Pentagon bans journalists from its press office Trump curses out Netanyahu: ‘You’re f---ing crazy’ MAGA ‘slush fund’ plans fizzle California’s drama-filled primaries today Bill Gates’s public downfall
|
President Trump named William Pulte, a feisty Trump loyalist who runs the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), as the acting director of national intelligence, replacing to replace Tulsi Gabbard, who resigned last month.
Pulte is a controversial pick for several reasons:
1) Pulte has no high-level national security experience. He previously owned a construction company and a private equity firm. Now, in this new role, he will be coordinating U.S. intelligence among more than a dozen government agencies. Trump justified Pulte’s appointment by arguing he has “deep experience managing the most sensitive matters in America.”
2) He’s controversial even within the Trump administration. He frustrated Justice Department officials by pushing for Trump enemies to be prosecuted. And his public fight with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over Trump enemy prosecutions is one of his most notable moments.
3) Trump says Pulte will also keep his job running the FHFA, as well as remaining the chairman of Fannie Maie and Freddie Mac.
Keep in mind: Trump indicted Pulte would serve as the *acting* director of national intelligence, meaning he may not need Senate confirmation like a director of national intelligence would need.
💬 Follow today’s live blog
|
A classified press office sounds like an oxymoron: |
The Pentagon has banned journalists from entering its press office, designating the space as a classified area.
Why?: The acting Pentagon press secretary says it is to ensure that speechwriters have secrecy.
This is just the tip of the iceberg: Most journalists are now barred from entering the Pentagon because of new restrictions from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Courts have mostly sided with journalists but the Pentagon has only ramped up restrictions. Critics argue this violates journalists’ First Amendment rights.
TIDBIT — TRUMP TOLD NETANYAHU HE’S CRAZY:
Trump cursed out Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a Monday call, telling him he’s “f---ing crazy,” Axios reports.
Trump also told Netanyahu: “You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this."
Oh, and he also reportedly asked the Israeli prime minister “what the f--- are you doing?”
|
I hope Rubio is doing enough vocal exercises this week: |
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is testifying before four Capitol Hill hearings this week.
This morning, he testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 💻 Watch it live
The newsiest moment: Rubio told lawmakers the Strait of Hormuz must first reopen fully before the next phase of negotiations can start.
Later today: Rubio will testify before a House Appropriations subcommittee. 💻 Watch it live
HOW TRUMP VIEWS THE IRAN NEGOTIATIONS:
Trump told CNBC he finds the negotiations “very boring.”
|
Trump backs down on the slush fund: |
The Trump administration signaled on Monday that it would drop its plans to create a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” to pay MAGA allies.
This may unlock Republicans’ reconciliation bill: Republicans had been uncomfortable with the proposal and that has been holding up negotiations over Republicans’ big reconciliation bill to fund immigration enforcement.
The other big holdup: The package had included funding for President Trump’s ballroom, which triggered strong pushback from some Senate Republicans. However, the package no longer includes that funding, either.
This means GOP leaders are now confident they can pass the $72 billion package.
FOR YOUR RADAR NEXT WEEK:
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to testify next week about the league’s broadcast deals.
Remember: Fans have been increasingly frustrated about the skyrocketing cost to watch NFL games. Last season, it cost fans more than $1,000 and 10 subscription services to watch every NFL game, according to a government estimate.
|
California has some of the wildest races of the cycle: |
Polls are open for today’s primary races in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota.
A whopping 61 names are on the ballot to replace California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra (D) is the frontrunner. Billionaire Tom Steyer (D) and former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton (R) are also serious contenders.
Remember, former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) had been the frontrunner until he dropped out over allegations of sexual misconduct.
And then there’s the reality show race: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) is in a tough reelection fight. Reality show Spencer Pratt is a leading challenger. Millennials know Pratt as the brash, antagonistic boyfriend from The Hills during peak MTV reality show-era. He later returned to fame by sharing his journey with losing his home during the Los Angeles fires. Read more about Pratt
|
Credit: GIPHY/The Hills: New Beginnings
|
|
|
|
Follow Washington closely? Something new is coming
|
The Hill Insider launches July 2026. Premium access to the reporting and analysis most readers never see. Be among the first inside.
|
|
|
|
Now walk it back, now walk it back: |
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin appears to be walking back his plans to remove U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from screening international travelers in Democrat-led “sanctuary” cities.
When he floated this plan, it received strong criticism from national security experts and the airline industry, who say it would cause chaos at airports and flight disruptions globally.
What Mullin is saying now: Mullin says he still has a “plan to initiate” the removal of customs officers from international airports. Read more
|
Getting traction — Bill Gates’s public downfall: |
The Wall Street Journal’s Emily Glazer published a fascinating deep dive into billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. For years, he carefully crafted his public image as a well-respected global philanthropist. His employees even had a custom mannequin made to test out his outfits.
But his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has torn down his positive public reputation.
For example: “Some people familiar with the matter said they heard about his admission to staff with disbelief: In his divorce proceedings, allegations related to more than 20 affairs had come up. Justice Department files show that Gates met with Epstein multiple times despite concerns from his then-wife, that Epstein knew about some of Gates’s extramarital relationships and that two of Gates’s close advisers had exchanged hundreds of messages with Epstein for years up until 2019, the year he died.”
Read more: ‘Bill Gates Spent Years Crafting His Image. Now It’s Cracking.’
|
The Washington Post: A detailed look at first ‘De-Transition Clinic’ in U.S. for young patients
The Atlantic: Democrats Must Learn to Talk Sports
The Wall Street Journal: No Raise, No Promotion: 1 in 4 White-Collar Workers Are Stalling Out
Bloomberg: What Trump Delivered for Amazon
The Atlantic: The White House Is the New Green Zone: Fortifications are growing in tandem with the threat of political violence.
|
|
|
|
The House and Senate are in. President Trump is at the White House (All times EDT)
|
12:30 p.m. Senators meet for weekly caucus meetings.
1 p.m. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz holds the White House press briefing. 💻 Livestream
2 p.m. Trump holds an Oval Office policy meeting.
2:15 p.m. Senators vote on a judicial confirmation. 📆 Today’s agenda
3 p.m. Trump tapes an interview.
4:30 p.m. Trump holds more policy meetings.
|
|
|
|
🍫 Celebrate: Today is National Rocky Road Day!
🚣 I hope she knows this is optional: A 31-year-old woman is attempting to row from California to Hawaii by herself. That’s more than 2,400 miles. It’s been done before but she’s hoping to break the record. She’s been posting updates on social media. Here’s her Instagram account
💳 A new way to split the bill: Apple is planning to release a new feature for users to split group dinners and events. You can take a photo of the receipt and assign items to each person, according to Bloomberg. Read more
🍪 The secret behind DoubleTree’s famous cookie: The Washington Post’s Hannah Sampson writes about DoubleTree’s famous chocolate chip cookie, which includes cinnamon, oats and lemon juice. Read: ‘How DoubleTree’s iconic cookies became one of hospitality’s warmest tradition’
|
|
|
|
400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001
|
© 1998 - 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment