ON OR OFF? Trump and Iran are giving conflicting messages on whether talks on ending the war have been suspended amid an Israeli incursion into neighboring Lebanon.
The Iranian state-affiliated media outlet Tasnim News Agency reported Monday that Tehran cut off talks over Israel’s military offensive against the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah, calling it a violation of the ongoing ceasefire with the U.S.
But Trump said Iran didn’t inform the U.S. that it was suspending talks, maintaining in a post on Truth Social that negotiations are continuing at a “rapid pace.”
The president later said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a “very productive” conversation. He said no Israeli troops will be going to the Lebanese capital of Beirut and any troops on their way have “already been turned back.”
According to Axios, Trump called Netanyahu “crazy” on the call and asked “what the f--- are you doing?” The Israeli leader had ordered attacks on Hezbollah-controlled neighborhoods in southern Beirut earlier on Monday.
He added in his Truth Social post that he had a “very good” call with Hezbollah, who agreed that “all shooting will stop — That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel.”
The Hill’s Julia Manchester and Filip Timotija report that Iran appears to be using Lebanon to divide Trump and Netanyahu, whose domestic political standing depends on projecting strength against Hezbollah.
“If they can get to a place where they have persuaded the administration that Israel is the problem here…they think that will make Trump put pressure on Bibi to stop and hopefully create a greater rift,” a former Trump administration official said.
▪ The Hill: Senators still hope for details on deal.
▪ BBC: Iran attacks have damaged 20 U.S. military sites since war began.
STANDING DOWN: The Trump administration is dropping its push to create an “anti-weaponization” fund for alleged victims of political prosecutions — for now, at least — amid bipartisan pushback to the proposal.
The decision follows a meeting between Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) at the White House to discuss the Justice Department’s controversial $1.776 billion fund. Its creation has proved to be a major stumbling block as Republicans have tried to advance a reconciliation bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies for the next few years.
In a tense meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about the fund before last week’s recess, Republicans warned they wouldn’t move forward with the bill until their concerns about the fund were resolved.
Among the chief concerns has been the potential that those convicted of crimes during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack could be eligible to receive payouts.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters Monday that he hoped the fund would be dropped entirely.
Democrats still plan to force Republicans to take votes related to the fund if the reconciliation bill reaches the Senate floor this week, which now seems more likely.
▪ The Hill: Republicans see path forward on reconciliation.
▪ The Hill: Johnson navigates packed legislative agenda.
NEW BOSS: Officials announced Rosario “Pete” Vasquez will serve as the new chief of U.S. Border Patrol.
Vasquez, who has served Border Patrol for more than 26 years, is succeeding Mike Banks, who announced last month that he would step down from his role after a year and a half in the job.
Vasquez’s appointment marks the latest instance of turnover in federal immigration enforcement agencies.
Todd Lyons formally left his role as acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Sunday after announcing he would be taking on a new role in the private sector. Dave Venturella took over as the new acting chief.
And Markwayne Mullin took leadership of the Department of Homeland Security in late March after the Senate confirmed him as secretary, replacing Kristi Noem.
▪ The Guardian: Immigrant rights groups mobilize across World Cup host cities.
VACCINE INVESTMENT: Moderna is receiving a $50 million investment from a global health organization to develop a vaccine for the strain of Ebola that is rapidly spreading through central Africa.
The funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations will support development and initial clinical testing of Moderna’s investigational vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain. The vaccine is being developed using Moderna’s mRNA platform.
The announcement comes as the outbreak has already caused more than 900 cases and 220 suspected deaths, mostly in the Congo. The true numbers may be higher than have been recorded.
There are currently no licensed vaccines available for this strain and none in clinical development. If Moderna’s early data is positive, the funding would also support manufacturing and progression to later-stage trials.
▪ Reuters: Hundreds protest planned U.S. Ebola quarantine facility in Kenya.
SEE YOU IN COURT: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated the Pentagon plans to appeal a ruling restricting the department's ban on transgender military service members to the Supreme Court.
A divided federal appeals panel ruled the Pentagon is unconstitutionally expelling troops currently in the military because they are transgender, though it permitted a ban against transgender individuals seeking to enlist.
"See you at SCOTUS," Hegseth said in a post on the social platform X.
The case stems from an executive order Trump issued soon after returning to office instituting the ban. The Supreme Court rejected an earlier challenge to the ban in an emergency ruling last year.
