Hours after Donald Trump brushed off concerns about new data showing that inflation jumped to an annual rate of 4.2% in May by saying “I love the inflation,” US House Speaker Mike Johnson accused a CNN journalist of taking the president’s comment “totally out of context.” Johnson insisted Trump is “laser-focused on the domestic economic situation” and is “working to bring down prices; working to get the Strait of Hormuz reopened.” He claimed Trump’s meaning was crystal-clear: “What he was saying is: ‘It’s going to be great to have that number and compare it to what comes next, when we get these situations resolved, that’ll be a fun thing to consider.’”
In fact, Trump’s meaning was far from clear. Asked whether he was concerned about the latest inflation number, he launched into a rambling answer: “No, I love it, the numbers were great. You know what I really loved? I love the inflation - you know why? Because as soon as this war is over...” He then veered into a long tangent about a US military effort to sneak oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, claiming they “took out the other night 22 ships late at night with no lights” and that’s why oil is $85 a barrel. He never returned to the inflation question. When a reporter reminded him, Trump predicted inflation would “come down like a rock” once the war ends.
Meanwhile, Trump demanded Republicans in Congress pass a third reconciliation bill providing an additional $350 billion for the Pentagon, including the SAVE America Act - a package of restrictive voting measures. House Republicans introduced a 2027 defense funding bill for $1,072,210,299,000, a $234 billion increase and the largest budget ever. Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell have rejected calls for a third reconciliation bill.
In Florida, the supreme court allowed new US House districts drawn by Republicans to be used in the midterm elections, despite arguments they violate a state constitutional prohibition on partisan gerrymandering. The 6-1 decision denied a temporary injunction without ruling on the merits. Republicans already hold 20 of Florida’s 28 seats; the new maps could win them four more.
Shasta County, California - home to about 182,000 people and a thriving election-skeptic movement - approved Measure B, which requires in-person voting on a single day, limits absentee ballots, requires photo ID, and mandates hand counting. About 85% of county residents vote by mail, and the ACLU says the measure “plainly violates state law” and will expose taxpayers to “significant litigation costs.” The California attorney general’s office is “closely monitoring” and “stand ready to take appropriate action.”
On the eve of the World Cup, Trump launched military strikes on Iran - hours after winning the FIFA peace prize, because timing is everything. US lawmakers took the field for the annual congressional baseball game, with Republicans leading 11-2 in the top of the fifth. The standout defensive play was a diving grab by Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), who last year gave a speech at a white nationalist conference.
Free DC, a community group opposing Trump’s deployment of federal troops to the District, accused the Arkansas National Guard of treating their movement’s flag “like a war trophy” by taking one home. A video from the guard’s departure ceremony showed a Free DC flag on the floor for soldiers to sign. After Free DC posted about it, the video was removed from Pentagon websites - but not before activists made a copy.
As Trump appeared unwilling to back off his plan to install federal mortgage director Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence - a role for which Pulte is, shall we say, creatively unqualified - Senate Democrats said they would not vote to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expires Friday. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) rejected a short-term extension “with Pulte still in there.” Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) posted that FISA should not be reauthorized “until there is ZERO CHANCE Bill Pulte (or anyone else with a history of or intent to abuse power to hurt Trump’s political opponents) gets anywhere near our classified services.”