Congress is debating the use of war powers resolutions to check President Trump's authority after he launched a joint U.S.-Israel military operation against Iran, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," without a formal declaration of war or congressional approval, resulting in at least six U.S. military deaths and the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Democrats argue Trump acted unilaterally and has failed to provide a clear rationale or exit strategy, while House Speaker Mike Johnson called efforts to limit Trump's authority through the War Powers Act "dangerous." Both the House and Senate have prepared war powers resolutions for votes, though any such measure would likely face a presidential veto that Congress lacks the votes to override. The Republican-controlled Congress, which recently approved $175 billion in new Pentagon funding, largely supports Trump's actions, making legislative intervention unlikely.
The opinion piece by retired NYU professor Alon Ben-Meir argues that Trump's immigration policies — including Muslim travel bans, terminations of Temporary Protected Status, attacks on birthright citizenship, and selective refugee admissions — systematically favor white, particularly European, migrants while targeting non-white communities. Ben-Meir contends these policies are driven by MAGA's demographic anxieties over Census projections showing non-Hispanic whites falling below 50% of the U.S. population by the mid-2040s. He characterizes Trump as a conduit for white supremacist goals aimed at preserving long-term white Republican political dominance. The author calls on both Democrats and Republicans to unite in defense of American democracy against what he describes as an accelerating authoritarian and racially motivated agenda.
Fox News host and Marine Corps veteran Johnny "Joey" Jones urged Americans, including Trump supporters, to ask questions about the joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following the deaths of three U.S. service members. Jones argued that questioning the administration's decisions does not undermine support for the president or the military, stating that "the American people should ask questions and demand answers when our blood is shed." Trump acknowledged the casualties in a video address and said more deaths were likely, while claiming the mission aimed to eliminate "imminent threats" from Iran and prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons. Critics, including Sen. Mark Warner, have called for greater clarity and consistency from the administration, particularly regarding the decision to initiate military action without congressional approval.
Factions within the MAGA movement are expressing frustration with the Trump administration's military operation against Iran, particularly following the deaths of six American service members and warnings of a potentially extended conflict. Critics, including prominent conservative voices like Steve Bannon and commentators from The Federalist and The American Conservative, argue the operation contradicts Trump's 2016 and 2024 campaign promises to end "endless wars" and lacks a clear, coherent objective. The White House and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have pushed back, insisting the Iran operation is "decisive" and fundamentally different from previous Middle East conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan. The internal GOP debate could have implications for the 2026 midterm elections, as Republicans work to maintain congressional control amid signs of Democratic momentum.
A guest columnist writing for the Spring Hope Enterprise disputes the MAGA characterization of America entering a "Golden Age," citing a loss of 88,000 manufacturing jobs, an estimated 75,000 deaths in Gaza according to The Lancet, and thousands of lawsuits alleging ICE rights violations, including over 4,400 court findings of illegal detention. The columnist also criticizes the Department of Justice for what he describes as politicization and contempt of Congress, and argues that recent legal interpretations granting presidential immunity represent a departure from democratic norms. The author contends that the concentration of executive power and erosion of constitutional checks are more characteristic of autocracy than democracy. The piece is written by Robert Kimball Shinkoskey, described as an author of works on democracy, religion, and the American presidency.
Members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and its Gender Surgery Task Force are demanding transparency after the organization released a position statement recommending that gender-affirming surgeries be delayed until age 19, a process that allegedly bypassed the Task Force and involved undisclosed meetings with federal officials. The statement was praised by Trump administration officials including RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz on the same day it was released, raising questions about potential political influence in its drafting. Task Force members and approximately 200 other medical professionals have signed letters criticizing the lack of transparency, with some noting that the recommended age of 19 mirrors language in a January 2025 executive order. The ASPS has acknowledged "misunderstandings" but has not issued any public clarifications, while the statement's origins remain disputed, with conflicting accounts suggesting it was either years in the making or developed over weeks at federal urging.
President Trump declined to rule out sending U.S. ground troops to Iran when asked by the New York Post, marking his first public comments since a U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign against Iran began. The strikes have drawn criticism from some within Trump's own MAGA base, including Tucker Carlson and former ally Marjorie Taylor Greene, while a Reuters/Ipsos poll found only 27% of Americans approved of the strikes and 56% believe Trump is too willing to use military force. Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed congressional leaders and argued the president was not legally required to seek congressional authorization, citing precedent from both Republican and Democratic administrations in rejecting the War Powers Act as binding. A House vote on whether to block military action against Iran without congressional approval is expected, though it is not currently projected to pass.
The U.S. Supreme Court has invalidated certain tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), while remanding other issues for further review, prompting questions about customs bond implications for brokers and importers. Despite the ruling, CBP has confirmed that bond sufficiency reviews are continuing as normal, collateral requirements remain in place, and bond premiums cannot be returned mid-term, as exposure continues until entries liquidate. New tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 took effect February 24, 2026, and CBP has directed brokers to cease collecting IEEPA duties while awaiting further official guidance before filing Post Summary Corrections. Sanctions programs and the suspension of duty-free de minimis treatment remain fully in effect regardless of the Court's decision.
Democratic senators, including Colorado's Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, have introduced the Direct File Act to restore and make permanent the IRS's free online tax filing program, which the Trump administration canceled following lobbying efforts by tax preparation companies. The program, piloted in 2024, received high satisfaction ratings from users and was projected to save Americans up to $23 billion annually in fees, time, and tax credits. The legislation would require the IRS to operate a free online tax filing service, prohibit agreements limiting such services, and facilitate integration with state tax systems. The bill is cosponsored by over 150 lawmakers and endorsed by more than 115 organizations and unions.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine held the Trump administration's first press briefing since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began Saturday, with Hegseth asserting the operation has "a clear, devastating, decisive mission" and is "not endless." Four American troops have been killed, with military leaders acknowledging additional casualties are expected, while the Iranian Red Crescent reports at least 555 Iranians have been killed in the campaign so far. The conflict has broadened, with Iran and allied groups launching missiles and drones at Israel, Arab states, and U.S. military targets, and U.S. ally Kuwait mistakenly shot down three American F-15E Strike Eagles, though all six pilots ejected safely. Trump has suggested the assault could last four to five weeks, while U.S. officials have not outlined an exit strategy as the region faces wider instability following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Congress is debating the limits of President Trump's war powers authority after the U.S. launched Operation Epic Fury, a joint military attack with Israel on Iran, without a formal declaration of war or congressional approval. At least six U.S. military personnel have been killed, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, and the operation is expected to continue for weeks with no defined end goal. Both the House and Senate have prepared war powers resolutions for votes, though any such measure would likely fail to achieve the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto. Democrats have criticized Trump for not presenting a rationale or strategy to Congress or the public, while the Republican-controlled Congress largely supports the military action.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced an investigation Monday that could result in criminal charges against federal immigration officers, including Border Patrol official Greg Bovino, for alleged misconduct during Operation Metro Surge in the Minneapolis area. The investigation is examining 17 cases, including incidents where federal officers deployed chemical irritants near a high school and at protests, and the fatal shootings of two women by federal agents in January. Moriarty's office is also investigating the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and she has threatened to sue the federal government if evidence she has requested is not provided by Tuesday. The Trump administration has defended federal officers, while the DOJ and FBI have faced criticism for limiting state investigators' access to evidence in the cases.
