President Donald Trump early Monday issued a direct demand for Israel and Iran to stop their military exchanges, following a weekend that saw both sides launch strikes against each other. In a social media post, Trump told the two nations to cease what he described as "shooting," as the region teetered on the edge of a broader conflict.
Shortly after Trump's statement, Iran announced it was ending its military operations, asserting that hostilities had resumed only after Israel attacked targets in Lebanon. The announcement came as a brief but intense round of tit-for-tat strikes raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East. The president's intervention underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire efforts, which he said are moving forward despite obstacles. "Final negotiations on 'Peace' are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way," Trump wrote on Truth Social, without offering a timeline for a formal truce.
Trump's weekend was not solely consumed by foreign policy. His appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" spiraled into controversy when he abruptly ended the interview with host Kristen Welker after she pressed him on his false claims about the 2020 election. The tense exchange drew sharp reactions from both sides of the aisle, with critics accusing him of dodging accountability.
On Capitol Hill, House Republicans are racing against the clock to advance two of their top legislative priorities: a bill to fund immigration enforcement and a long-term extension of the government's warrantless surveillance powers under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The measures face uncertain prospects in the Senate, but GOP leaders are pushing for passage this week as part of a broader strategy to shore up their base ahead of the midterms. Tension between Trump and congressional Republicans is mounting, as several GOP lawmakers have openly defied the administration on hot-button issues, including immigration and surveillance. The growing rift highlights the party's internal divisions as it struggles to maintain unity.
Trump is scheduled to spend Monday at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, where he will hold a telerally in the early evening. He is then expected to travel to New York City to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals, a move that will likely draw attention away from the ongoing legislative battles and international crises.
The administration's handling of the Israel-Iran situation has drawn scrutiny, with critics arguing that Trump's confrontational approach has escalated tensions rather than de-escalating them. For more on the president's shifting stance on the region, see our analysis of Trump's backtrack on his anti-war pledge. Meanwhile, the White House faces growing pressure to clarify its strategy for preventing further outbreaks of violence.
As the week unfolds, all eyes will be on the House floor, where Republican leaders are expected to push through the immigration and surveillance bills despite opposition from both Democrats and a handful of libertarian-leaning GOP members. The outcome could set the stage for a showdown with the Senate, where Democrats have signaled they will block the measures unless changes are made.
