In a move that feels less like governance and more like a slow-motion magic trick, Senate Republicans voted 49-50 to block Chuck Schumer’s motion to ban the DOJ from creating an “anti-weaponization” fund to compensate the president’s allies. Three Republicans facing tough re-election races - Susan Collins, Jon Husted, and Dan Sullivan - joined Democrats in favor, but it wasn’t enough. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told lawmakers under oath that the department was “not moving forward with the fund,” but refused to put it in writing. Donald Trump, meanwhile, admitted he didn’t know if the fund was dead or just on hold, calling it “a beautiful thing.” Senate business stalled for hours as Republicans haggled over amendments, with Bill Cassidy, Husted, and Sullivan holding out to “optimize chances for success.” Ultimately, even retiring Thom Tillis voted no, telling reporters they were working on ideas to “get the fund out” without imperiling the underlying immigration bill. Perfection is the enemy of progress, or something.
Meanwhile, President Trump is using the Defense Production Act - a Cold War-era statute meant for national emergencies - to hand $700 million to coal-fired power plants, which he calls “beautiful clean coal” despite coal being the dirtiest fossil fuel on the planet. The grants will support 14 coal plants and 42 coal mines, build two new plants and an export terminal, and bolster what Trump calls “real power” (cue the windmill jokes). Environmental groups are not amused. “It is disgusting and reprehensible that the president of the United States is giving away our taxpayer dollars to deadly and expensive coal plants that will make Americans sicker and drive up electricity prices even more,” said Patrick Drupp of the Sierra Club. Research estimates that up to 460,000 US deaths from 1999 to 2020 were attributable to coal plant air pollution alone. But hey, it’s beautiful.
Over in the Senate, Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, demanded transparency over a proposed “first-of-its-kind” ICE family and child detention center in Alexandria, Louisiana, first revealed by the Guardian in March. Wyden wrote to contractors and the Department of Health and Human Services, citing concerns over conflicts of interest, environmental contamination, and “the absence of a public process.” Documents obtained by the Guardian, including layout designs and draft contracts, provide further details, though the Department of Homeland Security remains silent. A spokesperson for England Airpark confirmed no contract has been signed yet - so there’s that.
On the war front, the House voted 215-208 to direct Trump to withdraw US forces from hostilities with Iran, the first such measure since “Operation Epic Fury” began on February 28. Four Republicans - Thomas Massie, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Tom Barrett - crossed the aisle. Trump immediately took to Truth Social, calling the vote “unpatriotic” and blaming “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The administration insists the war is already over, yet the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, gas prices average $4.24 nationally (nearly $6 in California), and Moody’s Analytics estimates the conflict has cost US households $100 billion in higher energy costs. A May Economist/YouGov survey found 59% disapprove of Trump’s handling of Iran. The war that’s over is apparently still being negotiated to a conclusion - a contradiction that seems lost on no one but the president.
In a rare spot of good news, Israel and Lebanon have agreed to implement a ceasefire, dependent on a complete halt of fire from Hezbollah and evacuation of its fighters from southern Lebanon. It’s a step toward ending the broader war with Iran, though details remain fuzzy.
And finally, California’s governor’s race remains unsettled as election officials sift through uncounted primary ballots - a process that could take weeks. Polls suggest British-born conservative pundit Steve Hilton is narrowly leading, followed by former US health secretary Xavier Becerra, with billionaire Tom Steyer trailing. Under California’s primary system, the top two vote-getters advance. Many Democratic voters held onto mail-in ballots until election day, weighing their options. State law gives counties until June 15 to finish counting, with some ballots exempt from that deadline. An estimate of remaining ballots is expected Thursday. Stay tuned - California’s not done surprising us.