With a new Israeli military operation underway, President Donald Trump is facing a fresh test on his ability to make good on a campaign promise to disentangle the U.S. from foreign conflicts.
The challenge lands at the same time he’s dealing with domestic turmoil: Opponents of his administration are set to rally in hundreds of cities on Saturday during the military parade in Washington to mark the Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincides with Trump’s birthday.
Other news we’re following today:
US response to Israel-Iran: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is doubling as Trump’s national security adviser, sought to make clear that the U.S. was “not involved” and that the Republican administration’s central concern was protecting U.S. forces in the region. Trump weighed in on social media early Friday: “I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal.”Appeals court blocks CA ruling on National Guard: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday temporarily blocked a federal judge’s order that directed Trump to return control of National Guard troops to California after he deployed them there following protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids. The court said it would hold a hearing on the matter on Tuesday.The Pentagon has contingency plans to invade Greenlad: During a hearing with the House Armed Services Committee Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth raised eyebrows by saying that the Pentagon has developed plans to take over Greenland and Panama by force.