Wednesday, July 22, 2026

The Trump administration launched major combat operations against Iran on February 28, announcing massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes without congressional approval. The Republican-controlled House rammed through a more than $1-trillion Pentagon bill alongside a budget blueprint that lets them bypass Democrats and unlock $95 billion for the Iran war and Trump's election-overhaul legislation. Simultaneously, the administration is reportedly considering military action in Mali against Jama'at Nusrat Al-Islam Wal-Muslimin. Trump defended the Iran escalation on Truth Social with a body-count comparison — "4 months, 18 DEAD" — drawing sharp criticism from MS NOW host Stephanie Ruhle over his defense of the war escalation.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission voted to end a 60-year requirement for employers to submit workforce demographic data.

The $1.15 trillion Pentagon budget sailed through the House in a near-party-line vote after Democrats refused to back the measure amid the unauthorized Iran war. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie tried to strip a provision mandating Israeli–U.S. defense technology integration, calling it "lopsided" in Israel's favor. The measure, known as Section 219, is included in the Pentagon budget bill advancing through Congress alongside the Iran war funding and Trump's election-overhaul bill.

Trump's science adviser Michael Kratsios proposed overhauling federal research funding, with Democrats warning the move weakens science. In Arizona, three election deniers won Republican primaries for governor, secretary of state, and attorney general — positions that would grant them direct control over election administration in a critical swing state.