The Latest: The White House defends its massive bombing campaign against Iran
The Latest: The White House defends its massive bombing campaign against Iran
An electronic billboard beams an image of President Donald Trump alongside the message “Thank you, Mr. President” referring to the U.S. involvement in the war between Israel and Iran, in Ramat Gan, Israel, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt walks over to speak with reporters at the White House, Monday, June 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, June 21, 2025, after the U.S. military struck three Iranian nuclear and military sites, directly joining Israel’s effort to decapitate the country’s nuclear program, as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen. (Carlos Barria/Pool via AP)
An electronic billboard beams an image of President Donald Trump alongside the message “Thank you, Mr. President” referring to the U.S. involvement in the war between Israel and Iran, in Ramat Gan, Israel, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
An electronic billboard beams an image of President Donald Trump alongside the message “Thank you, Mr. President” referring to the U.S. involvement in the war between Israel and Iran, in Ramat Gan, Israel, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt walks over to speak with reporters at the White House, Monday, June 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt walks over to speak with reporters at the White House, Monday, June 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, June 21, 2025, after the U.S. military struck three Iranian nuclear and military sites, directly joining Israel’s effort to decapitate the country’s nuclear program, as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen. (Carlos Barria/Pool via AP)
President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House in Washington, Saturday, June 21, 2025, after the U.S. military struck three Iranian nuclear and military sites, directly joining Israel’s effort to decapitate the country’s nuclear program, as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen. (Carlos Barria/Pool via AP)
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told ABC News on Monday morning that Iran was an “imminent threat” and that President Donald Trump is the “first president with the guts to actually do something about it.” She was definitive about the outcome of the surprise U.S. strikes against Iran over the weekend, saying they “took away Iran’s ability to create a nuclear bomb.” American stealth bombers, fighter jets and a submarine struck Iran with bombs and missiles - joining Israel’s attempt to wipe out Iran’s nuclear program.
Here’s the Latest:
White House monitoring reported Iranian strikes on US base in Qatar
The White House and Pentagon are aware of, and closely monitoring, the potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to a senior administration official.
The official was not authorized to comment publicly.
Trump questions ex-Russian president suggesting some countries could give nuclear warheads to Iran
Trump is casting doubt on former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s suggestions that “a number” of countries were considering supplying Iran with nuclear warheads.
“Did he really say that or is it just a figment of my imagination? If he did say that, and, if confirmed, please let me know, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump posted on his social media site.
The president also questioned Medvedev’s authority compared to Russia President Vladimir Putin, writing, that the threat of nuclear attack “should not be treated so casually. I guess that’s why Putin’s ‘THE BOSS.’”
Trump ended his message with an implicit threat. He said U.S. bombing might displayed in Iran over the weekend could pale in comparison to the lethal force of “our nuclear submarines.”
Democratic lawmakers demand halt to Medicaid data transfer to immigration officials
A group of Democratic House members demanded Trump administration officials on Monday to stop sharing data of Medicaid enrollees – including their immigration status – with the Department of Homeland Security.
The request came in a letter sent by 31 lawmakers to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The letter was sent in response to an Associated Press report this month that detailed how deportation officials had obtained the sensitive data over the objections of career health officials. The data could assist federal agents in finding migrants.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, were among those who signed the letter. It follows a letter sent last week by Democratic senators to Kennedy and other Trump appointees.
Trump targets Massie
The president is unloading on Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who has criticized his attack on Iran.
“GET THIS ‘BUM’ OUT OF OFFICE, ASAP!!!” Trump wrote on social media.
He posted a lengthy message on Sunday describing Massie as “a negative force” who is “not MAGA, even though he likes to say he is.”
He promised that there would be a “wonderful American Patriot running against him in the Republican Primary, and I’ll be out in Kentucky campaigning really hard.”
Trump will soon face a congressional vote over his military powers
While the president has authority as the commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces to order specific military actions, any prolonged war-time footing would traditionally need authorization from Congress.
The House and Senate authorized actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond after the Sept. 11, 2001, attack.
Trump faces a vote in Congress as soon as this week on a war powers resolution from Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., that would “direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.”
Another resolution has been introduced by lawmakers from both parties in the U.S. House.
At least one Democrat, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, said Trump’s actions are “clearly grounds for impeachment.”
Trump urges oil producers to pump more oil
With oil prices surging after U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump on Monday called on oil producers to step it up.
“DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!” Trump posted on social media. He added, “EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I’M WATCHING! YOU’RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON’T DO IT!”
Iran’s parliament has approved cutting off the Strait of Hormuz, about 20% of global oil and gas flows through the narrow shipping lane in the Persian Gulf. It’s now up to Iran’s national security council whether to move forward with the move that could lead to a spike in the cost of goods and services worldwide.
Trump just ‘raising a question’ about regime change
Leavitt said U.S. operations in the Middle East haven’t changed despite Trump raising the possibility of toppling Iran’s theocratic leaderships.
“The president was just simply raising a question that I think many people around the world are asking,” she told reporters on Monday morning.
She added, “if they refuse to engage in diplomacy moving forward, why shouldn’t the Iranian people rise up against this brutal terrorist regime?”
On Sunday, Trump called into question the future of Iran’s ruling theocracy after a surprise attack on three of the country’s nuclear sites, seemingly contradicting his administration’s earlier calls to resume negotiations and avoid an escalation in fighting.
“It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change???” Trump posted on social media. “MIGA!!!”
Leavitt says Democrats were notified about U.S. attack on Iran
Trump’s bombardment of three sites in Iran quickly sparked debate in Congress over his authority to launch the strikes, with Republicans praising Trump for decisive action even as many Democrats warned he should have sought congressional approval.
Leavitt rejected accusations that Democrats were not given a heads up about the U.S. attack on Iran.
“We did make bipartisan calls,” Leavitt told Fox News. She said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries “couldn’t be reached.”
Traditionally, there are bipartisan briefings for congressional leaders, even for classified missions.
Leavitt insisted the White House was “not obligated to tell anybody” about the plans but “we gave these calls as a courtesy.”
Pakistan condemns Trump shortly after nominating him for Nobel
Pakistan condemned U.S. President Donald Trump for bombing Iran, less than 24 hours after saying he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for defusing a recent crisis with India.
Relations between the two South Asian countries plummeted after a massacre of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April. The nuclear-armed rivals stepped closer to war in the weeks that followed, attacking each other until intense diplomatic efforts, led by the U.S., resulted in a truce for which Trump took credit.