Everything you need to know about the latest developments in the Trump administration – as Iran talks might be on, the Pentagon plots retaliation against allies and a very visible figure departs. Meanwhile, Americans, it turns out, think he’s rubbish
Donald Trump’s Pentagon is trolling us hard. A memo emerged last night in which top officials discussed a couple of ideas for retaliation against the UK and Spain for our reluctance to join in with the Iran war.
For Spain the proposed penalty was expulsion from Nato, which the US has no power to do. The email also suggested reassessing US support for the UK’s claim to the Falklands. All of which is a pretty ballsy thing to bring up three days before the King turns up for a visit, but that’s the Trump administration for you.
Meanwhile in Trumpworld
- Iran talks might be on again
- Leavitt out
- Americans say Trump doesn’t have mental capacity to lead
- And his poll numbers are the worst on record
- The Lincoln reflecting pool refurb is even worse than we thought
Here’s what you need to know
1. Iran talks might be on again…
Trump is sending his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Pakistan to meet with Iran’s foreign minister.
The talks planned for Saturday come as much of the world is on edge over a war that has snarled crucial energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz, clouded the global economic picture and left thousands dead across the Middle East. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad late Friday. Earlier on social media, he wrote that he was traveling to Pakistan on a trip focused on “bilateral matters and regional developments.” He didn’t specify who he would meet. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an interview on Fox News Channel that Witkoff and Kushner would meet with Araghchi. “We’re hopeful that it will be a productive conversation and hopefully move the ball forward to a deal,” Leavitt said. No sign of JD Vance on this trip though – after he was all packed and ready to go to Pakistan last week, only for the talks to be cancelled. Leavitt said said Vance would not travel but that he remains “deeply involved,” and would be willing to go to Pakistan “if we feel it’s a necessary use of his time.”
Alright, diva.
2. Leavitt out
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gave her last press gaggle this afternoon. For now. She’s going on maternity leave. We, of course, wish nothing but the best for her and her offspring. And she even left us with probably the most genuinely funny one-liner to come out of the Trump administration: “You won’t be seeing me every day, but as I understand it you all have the President’s phone number anyway.” According to Politico there won’t be anyone officially filling in for her while she’s off. Instead cabinet officials, JD Vance or even Trump himself will brief the press. What could possibly go wrong?
3. Americans say Trump doesn’t have mental capacity to lead
A new poll for Fox News…FOX NEWS… will make for some pretty troubling reading for Trump and those around him. The top line is almost the kindest – Some 56% of voters doubt the White House’s competence at managing government. That sounds pretty bad, but it’s not actually that different to what it was under Biden and Obama. No, you have to dig a bit to get to the kicker.
The approval rating for Trump is 42% – which is higher than some other polls…more on which later. Interestingly, JD Vance is only polling at 44%, which is concerning for a potential heir to the White House.
But the worst results for Trump come in a section on the American public’s views about Trump personally. Just 42% said he had the judgement, 40% the temperament… and only 45% the mental soundness to effectively serve as President. Finally, just 37% said they thought Trump cares about people like them.
Savage.
4. Meanwhile his poll numbers are worse than any other president in history
Trump’s favourite polling guru, CNN’s Harry Enten gave an assessment of Trump’s economic poll numbers …and this time we can’t imagine he’ll be eager to bring this particular clip up in speeches.
Meanwhile, the New York Times poll average has his approval rating at just 39%, the Lowes since he was re-elected.
5. Fed Chair probe dropped
Former TV judge-turned US Attorney Jeannine Pirro announced today the Justice Department is dropping its probe into how Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is handling the bank’s headquarters. The probe was widely seen as a method of giving Trump a way to fire him. Hasn’t quite worked out that way. The probe had been a roadblock to the Senate confirmation of Kevin Warsh, Trump’s pick to replace Powell when his term ends. Thom Tillis of North Carolina had vowed to block his confirmation unless the probe was dropped. Pirro has insisted the probe is still happening, but had been transferred to the Federal Reserve’s own Inspector General. Still, it’s a blow to Pirro, who since she was appointed by Trump last year – allegedly to pursue Trump’s enemies – has failed to successfully prosecute anyone.
6. Trump administration bringing back execution by firing squad
Cheery news from CNN tonight, who say that not only is the Trump administration taking steps to make it easier and quicker to put people to death, but they’re re-introducing the firing squad. Turns out there are several states that still use firing squads – with one execution being performed by that archaic method just last month.
But this will be expanded for federal cases.
“Among the actions taken are readopting the lethal injection protocol utilized during the first Trump Administration,” the Justice Department said in a press release today, “expanding the protocol to include additional manners of execution such as the firing squad, and streamlining internal processes to expedite death penalty cases.”
7. In case you thought we were overreacting about the Lincoln reflecting pool
The first images of the “refurbishment” of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool have been hit Twitter. In case you missed it yesterday, Trump took a look at the plans for a meticulous, 3-year, $300m renovation of the beloved location and thought “pfft. I’ll get one of my guys in.” So instead of that, he’s genuinely hired the people who usually fit the swimming pools in his hotels to patch it up and line it with the material they use for hotel pools. Not only that, they appear to be spraypainting over the natural granite and colouring it “American Flag Blue”. Trump, originally wanted it turquoise “like they have in the Bahamas.” All it needs now is a wave machine, a swim-up bar and a slide from the top of the Washington Monument.
Here it is, in all its “glory”.