NATO heavyweights balk at Hormuz mission as Trump warns alliance at risk

NATO allies are declining to join a potential effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, frustrating President Donald Trump and prompting questions among some U.S. officials about the alliance’s reliability in a major global crisis. Trump has warned the Hormuz standoff with Iran could have serious consequences for NATO, arguing that allies benefit from global … Read more

Blue-state Democrat on fast track to Senate defies Schumer

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is on a glide path to the U.S. Senate. But Stratton, who captured the Democratic Senate nomination in blue-leaning Illinois by winning Tuesday’s primary, has made it clear that if she makes it to Capitol Hill, she won’t be supporting Sen. Chuck Schumer, the Democrats’ longtime leader in the chamber. … Read more

Sen Rand Paul grills Mullin on past comments on assault: ‘Tell it to my face’

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., pulled no punches in his opening statement Wednesday morning at the Department of Homeland Security Committee hearing on fellow GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to be Kristi Noem‘s successor as secretary. Paul, chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, accused Mullin of excusing political violence and challenging … Read more

Tulsi Gabbard skips over prepared comments on Iran’s nuclear capabilities

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard omitted some prepared remarks on Iran’s efforts to rebuild its nuclear capabilities during her opening statement at a Senate hearing. NBC News’ Julie Tsirkin and Courtney Kube reported on what the planned comments addressed, what Gabbard said about Iran publicly and what it means for the Trump administration’s posture … Read more

Senate to question Trump intel leaders on Iran war after top official quits in protest

Lawmakers will get to grill President Donald Trump’s top intelligence and spying officials on the Iran war publicly for the first time, just a day after the nation’s top counterterrorism official resigned in protest over the conflict. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, FBI Director Kash Patel, National Security Agency chief … Read more