Aram Roston

Donald Trump signed two executive orders seeking to restrict birthright citizenship for children of some non-citizens and to block alleged birth tourism, only weeks after the Supreme Court rejected his previous attempt. The American Civil Liberties Union said the orders cannot override the 14th Amendment and will fail in court. The coverage also highlights Trump’s inaccurate account of the amendment, his refusal to confirm an endorsement of JD Vance for 2028, and the long-running political roots of his campaign against birthright citizenship. Other developments include Andy Ogles trailing in a Tennessee Republican primary, Mitch McConnell returning home after rehabilitation, Republican calls for Max Miller to resign, a party-line Senate committee vote to hold Anthony Fauci in contempt, disputes over Pete Hegseth’s performance, and Trump’s criticism of Jeanine Pirro for dropping a vandalism case.

Iran says negotiations with Oman over reopening the Strait of Hormuz are nearing completion, but Iranian sources dispute Donald Trump's claim that an agreement is imminent and say key details remain unresolved. The proposed arrangement could give Iran control over inbound shipping and Oman oversight of outbound traffic, with Tehran also demanding an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports. Iran has warned Gulf states that attacks on Iranian infrastructure would prompt retaliation against their energy and strategic facilities. Elsewhere, Houthi attacks on Yemeni military camps killed at least 30 to 38 government troops and injured dozens, while the group continued its maritime pressure on Saudi Arabia. Israel-Lebanon talks resumed in Rome despite renewed Israeli strikes, the deaths of two Israeli reservists and further Lebanese casualties. The coverage also reports Israeli actions in Gaza and the West Bank, allegations that an Israeli strike killing a Lebanese journalist was a war crime, and disputes between Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over US munitions shortages.

Donald Trump’s Board of Peace has provisionally awarded Louisiana-based Arkel International a contract to build a rudimentary 150-person military outpost in Gaza for rotating Moroccan troops. The planned site, located in territory controlled by Israel, is intended to support the proposed international stabilisation force, but the force’s legal framework, composition and deployment timetable remain unresolved. The project marks a sharp reduction from the board’s original vision of rebuilding all of Gaza as a major waterfront development, while most of the territory remains devastated and about two million Palestinians live in poor conditions. Hamas’s reported agreement to disarm remains uncertain, Israel opposes the plan and has intensified airstrikes, and the contract itself has not yet been finalised.

Palmer Luckey, co-founder of defense contractor Anduril Industries, has donated $5.9m to Republicans and organized high-dollar fundraisers for at least 20 GOP politicians, including Donald Trump. Emails obtained by The Guardian show the scale of his fundraising network and political access as Anduril has secured major government work, including a reported $20bn sole-source Army drone contract and participation in the potentially trillion-dollar Golden Dome missile-defense program. The company’s rapid growth has continued across administrations, while Luckey’s political influence has received less scrutiny than his donations. Anduril says its executives hold different political views, noting that CEO Brian Schimpf has donated to Democratic causes, but most of the company’s political activity and Luckey’s influence remain aligned with Republicans.

A Russian ballistic missile destroyed a drone factory in Kyiv operated by Terminal Autonomy, a US corporation registered in Delaware, in what appears to be the first Russian strike on an American defense company in the war. The plant produced AQ-400 Scythe and AQ-100 Bayonet deep-strike drones whose AI guidance systems are designed to resist Russian jamming. No deaths were reported. A former US intelligence officer said Russia would likely target any Ukrainian facility producing American weapons, including Patriot missiles, while Russian state media reported the attack without identifying the company’s US ownership.

The US Senate voted 86–12 to advance the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, despite Democratic concerns that it grants Donald Trump broad, largely unchecked authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% and waive sanctions. Senators Peter Welch and Jon Ossoff said they supported Ukraine but opposed the tariff provisions, with Welch planning an amendment. The Senate separately confirmed Jay Clayton as director of national intelligence by 51–47 amid criticism of his lack of intelligence experience and refusal to affirm that Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Trump had agreed to license Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptors, while Zelenskyy met with Lockheed Martin. The live coverage also reported US and Saudi strikes on Iran-linked forces in Iraq, an intercepted Iranian missile attack, Trump’s meetings with Zelenskyy and Benjamin Netanyahu, plans to end Medicare drug-plan subsidies, pressure on Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to cut vaccines, and protests over Palantir’s immigration-enforcement technology.

Pete Hegseth is seeking a 44% increase in US military spending, bringing the 2027 defense budget to nearly $1.5tn—roughly matching or exceeding inflation-adjusted World War II levels—while also requesting $67bn in emergency funds for the Iran war. Senators are questioning the request because $75bn from an earlier defense increase remains unobligated and because some proposed emergency spending appears unrelated to Iran operations. The administration is pursuing reconciliation to bypass a Senate filibuster, while directing major sums toward artificial intelligence and a Pentagon private-equity office. The budget also claims $1.6bn in savings by eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs, underscoring the administration’s ideological priorities amid concerns about military planning, accountability and conflicts of interest.

The Guardian’s live coverage closes ahead of Donald Trump’s primetime address, which is widely expected to revisit his false claims about the 2020 election. Democratic senators Angela Alsobrooks, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock preemptively rejected those claims, while White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s alleged findings would be backed by evidence. The coverage also reports Trump’s false assertion that the CHIPS Act required funded companies to be run by transgender executives, NBC and ABC’s decision to stream rather than televise his address live, his 37% approval rating, and continued ICE vehicle stops despite recent fatal shootings. Additional developments include tensions within the Democratic Party over Israel policy, renewed U.S. strikes and negotiations involving Iran, a proposed immigration rule affecting green-card applicants who use public benefits, and an investigation into alleged prediction-market bets by Trump’s teleprompter operator.

Senior Trump officials used a multinational conference on political violence to warn exclusively about left‑wing threats, employing unusually harsh rhetoric while ignoring right‑wing attacks. Marco Rubio labeled leftist activists as a global menace and announced new visa restrictions targeting far‑left groups. Stephen Miller condemned leftists as inherently violent and dismissed concerns over civil liberties, while Scott Bessent briefly emphasized constitutional rights. Officials referenced a presidential memorandum as guidance for intensified action against leftist groups. Representatives from 66 countries, including major US allies, attended the event.

Merck received FDA approval for Lipfendra, a daily PCSK9 inhibitor pill designed to reduce LDL cholesterol and serve alongside or as an alternative to statins. Clinical trials indicate the drug can lower LDL levels to 50–60 or below, with minimal side-effects comparable to placebo. The pill format is expected to increase accessibility compared to previous injectable versions. New cardiology guidelines emphasize stricter LDL targets, and Merck plans to market the drug at $10.50 per day with expectations of lower out‑of‑pocket costs for many patients.

US strikes were reported around Iran’s Qeshm Island as fighting between Washington and Tehran widened across the Gulf. Iran accused the US of a “barbaric” attack near a children’s cancer hospital in Ahvaz, saying 211 chemotherapy patients had to be evacuated; Washington had not commented. Kuwait reported responding to renewed Iranian drone attacks, while a drone struck a ship near Iraq’s Basra port and Iraqi oil loading was suspended. Syria said it seized missiles and drones allegedly bound for Hezbollah. Yemen’s Houthi leader threatened Saudi energy infrastructure, and Iran was reported to have asked the Houthis to prepare to close the Bab el-Mandeb route. Trump’s Gaza recovery plan has been reduced to a small pilot camp in southern Gaza, with little construction expected before Israel’s October elections. Lebanon said it intends to end Hezbollah’s military presence, while Pakistan urged the US and Iran to resume negotiations. Oil prices and US fuel costs rose as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz intensified.

US diesel prices have risen above five dollars a gallon and regular gasoline has returned to nearly four dollars as renewed US-Iran tensions disrupt oil markets. Iran’s declaration of a shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, followed by a US blockade and fresh airstrikes, has fueled market volatility. Fluctuating statements from the White House, including and then reversing a proposed transit fee for cargo passing through the strait, have added to price instability. Analysts at AAA link the surge to both supply constraints and unpredictable political moves, with broader economic impacts as higher diesel costs affect consumer goods and transportation.

A draft resolution for Donald Trump’s UN‑sanctioned Board of Peace proposes broad legal immunity for its members, contractors, and international forces operating in Gaza, raising concerns among legal experts about accountability and potential violations of international law. The document would allow the group to obtain public property in Gaza without payment and create its own system for handling liability claims, prompting warnings about unchecked authority and possible abuses. Lawyers say the framework mirrors immunity protections for UN missions but lacks external oversight, while contractors express uncertainty about legal risks. Critics argue the plan could enable land confiscation and entrench harmful practices. The resolution has not been shared with Palestinian administrators and would take effect upon the high representative’s signature.

Stephen Feinberg, a secretive billionaire and former head of Cerberus Capital Management, is described as wielding significant influence over the Pentagon’s procurement and investment decisions under the Trump administration, surpassing the formal authority of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Feinberg has installed former Cerberus associates across key Pentagon units, enabling billions in equity investments and loans to defense-related companies, some with ties to the Trump family. Critics, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, warn of unprecedented conflicts of interest and a lack of transparency in the department’s budgeting and oversight processes, while supporters argue Feinberg aims to reform longstanding inefficiencies in defense acquisition.

UFC will award bonus payments to fighters at a White House event using USD1, a stablecoin issued by World Liberty Financial, a Trump family cryptocurrency venture. The partnership links the president’s family business interests to a high-profile government‑property event, prompting scrutiny despite White House denials of conflicts of interest. World Liberty Financial, a major source of wealth for the Trump family and currently involved in litigation and regulatory ambitions, is sponsoring the event and promoting the use of its stablecoin. UFC announced a $250,000 bonus pool to be paid in USD1, a move experts say functions as promotion for the currency.

Donald Trump said the US and Iran were close to a peace agreement and cancelled planned strikes after escalating exchanges, but Iran’s foreign ministry said no final decision had been made. Negotiations appear advanced but face obstacles, including the release of frozen Iranian assets, nuclear-related provisions and regional conflicts. The US and Iran continued trading strikes around the strait of Hormuz, heightening fears of renewed conflict, while international actors urged restraint. Trump’s threats to seize Iranian oil infrastructure drew criticism over potential risks to US forces. Unresolved issues such as Lebanon and control over the strait complicate prospects for a lasting agreement.

Pete Hegseth removed nine women and Black navy officers from a promotion list, producing an all‑male and predominantly white slate of candidates for admiral. The move mirrors earlier interventions affecting army promotions and continues broader efforts within the Trump administration to eliminate diversity initiatives in the military. Pentagon leadership denied that race or gender influenced the decisions, while military sources described the involvement as improper and politically motivated. The reshuffling follows previous removals or reassignments of senior officers, many of whom were women or minorities, as legal challenges mount against anti‑diversity measures, including a recent court ruling protecting transgender service members.

The Guardian’s live coverage reports that the US Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into E Jean Carroll, who won civil judgments totaling $88m against Donald Trump. The inquiry reportedly examines whether Carroll committed perjury by failing to disclose outside funding for her legal case, although a federal appeals court previously found that she plausibly forgot about the funding and was not involved in arranging it. The investigation was reportedly opened by US attorney Andrew Boutros, while acting attorney general Todd Blanche has recused himself because he previously represented Trump in the case. Other developments include protests and an alleged rightwing infiltration at a New Jersey immigration detention center, Morris Day withdrawing from a Trump-linked national celebration, renewed US sanctions against UN expert Francesca Albanese, Democratic opposition to Trump’s proposed Arlington “triumphal arch,” Jill Biden’s account of Joe Biden’s 2024 debate performance, and Republican support for Ken Paxton after his Texas Senate primary victory.

A company headed by Republican fundraiser Elliott Broidy, who was pardoned by Donald Trump in 2021, secured a $106m federal contract to use AI to monitor inmate phone calls. Federal records indicate no evidence that Broidy’s past ties to Trump influenced the award, and LEO Technologies stated he had no role in the bidding process. The article recounts Broidy’s history of legal troubles, lobbying scandals, and political involvement, as well as past controversies connected to Trump allies and foreign governments.

A senior US defense official, Emil Michael, gained up to $24m from selling private xAI stock months after the Pentagon entered agreements with the company, raising conflict‑of‑interest concerns. Michael oversaw AI initiatives while holding the investment, despite federal laws barring officials from actions benefiting their financial interests. Ethics experts questioned the arrangement, while the Department of War asserted full compliance. The period included major Pentagon deals with xAI and disputes with AI contractor Anthropic, amid broader efforts by defense leadership to expand military use of artificial intelligence.

Saudi Arabia is pressing the US to intensify its military campaign against Iran, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly urging Donald Trump not to curtail operations, viewing the conflict as an opportunity to reshape the region. Despite avoiding direct involvement so far, Riyadh is weighing action if peace efforts fail or if attacks by Iran or its allies escalate. Iranian drone strikes on Saudi oil facilities highlight vulnerabilities, while experts note Saudi Arabia’s shifting strategic calculations following previous unmet expectations of US support. The UAE openly advocates for Iran’s decisive defeat, whereas Saudi Arabia remains more cautious due to risks to its Red Sea oil infrastructure. Observers argue the conflict is forcing Riyadh to reconsider its reliance on Washington and reassess its broader regional strategy.

US air-power doctrine is depicted as repeating a century-old pattern of overestimating the ability of aerial bombardment to deliver quick and decisive victories. Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump’s approach to the Iran conflict echoes Giulio Douhet’s early theories emphasizing overwhelming airstrikes and civilian morale shocks, ideas historically shown to be ineffective in Vietnam, Iraq, Kosovo and Desert Storm. Past conflicts reveal consistent exaggeration of technological precision and strategic impact, often failing to achieve political objectives without ground forces. Critics argue that this enduring belief in air dominance has once again pulled the United States into an unwinnable and misguided war.

Testimony by director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revealed that voting machines in Puerto Rico were seized at the request of the US attorney there, who has pursued a debunked theory linking Venezuela to Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss. Despite intelligence officials denying they were investigating the theory, the involvement of a prosecutor advocating its revival shows overlap with the effort. Figures promoting the theory briefed both the US attorney and the intelligence community. Lawmakers raised concerns about limits on acknowledging election interference threats, while Puerto Rico’s voting system issues were noted as logistical rather than linked to foreign manipulation.

US political figures are backing rival Iranian exile leaders Maryam Rajavi of the MEK and Reza Pahlavi, son of the former shah, as potential successors in a post-conflict Iran. Rajavi draws support from prominent Trump allies and has longstanding lobbying ties in Washington, while Pahlavi promotes himself as a unifying figure but is viewed by some US officials as ineffective. Critics question both groups’ legitimacy inside Iran, and former US intelligence officials warn of unreliable exile factions. As factions vie for recognition, Trump has signaled that the next Iranian leader must align with US interests and prevent nuclear development.

Donald Trump linked his attack on Iran to claims that Tehran interfered in the 2020 and 2024 US elections, repeating allegations circulated by a sympathetic outlet. The article outlines past instances in which officials accused Iran of attempting to access or influence campaign operations, including a 2024 hack of Trump campaign files and a 2020 email intimidation scheme. It also notes Trump’s history of citing discredited conspiracy theories involving Venezuela and Iran in relation to his 2020 election loss. While Iran has been tied to some interference attempts, no evidence supports claims that it played a role in Trump’s defeat, though such theories continue to circulate among his supporters.

Iran and the US enter critical nuclear talks in Geneva as Tehran signals a readiness to accept limits on uranium enrichment in exchange for recognition of its right to peaceful nuclear technology. Iranian officials say US negotiators previously accepted key parameters, though Trump’s recent speeches suggest potential reversals, raising the risk of regional escalation. Washington presses for missile negotiations, while Iran seeks sanctions relief and assurances on enrichment rights. The presence of IAEA chief Rafael Grossi underscores verification concerns amid a large US military buildup. Domestic and international political pressures shape the negotiations as protests continue across Iran.