The Trump administration has opened a criminal probe into California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his wife, the governor announced on Monday.According to The New York Times, a source close to the probe "said there were multiple federal investigations underway related to the governor, including one looking at his wife’s finances," and that federal law enforcement officials in California, rather than Trump appointees in D.C., opened the investigation "based on government witnesses offering information there."Newsom's office has said that "several people" linked to their family were contacted by federal agents, and they also believe "the agents have ... subpoenaed banking records, but said they had seen no written evidence of that."In a video statement released on Monday, Newsom, who has become notorious for his social media postings mocking the president, attacked the probe as a politically motivated fishing expedition to try to gin up charges against a political rival, noting that he has often been floated as a presidential contender for 2028."Donald Trump isn’t just coming after me because of my mean Tweets," said Newsom. "He’s coming after me because I am considering running for President. Because he hates that I’ve consistently called him out – over and over again – for his lies and deceit. Donald Trump is simply the most corrupt President in American history."Newsom also listed several more cases in which the Trump administration launched various controversial investigations into various people perceived as rivals or figures who wronged him."His personal attorney [Todd Blanche] now runs the Department of Justice, which has repeatedly gone after his political enemies," Newsom said. "Ask Jerome Powell. He sent them after James Comey. Tish James. Adam Schiff. He sent them after Tim Walz. And a woman that a jury found Donald Trump had sexually abused.""One by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list," he added. "And today, I proudly join that list."
President Donald Trump’s demand that Congress attach a voter identification bill to an extension of a government spy program will complicate efforts to pass reauthorization of the intelligence authority. Over the weekend, the president urged Congress to tie the SAVE America Act to a renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, warning […]
The U.S.-Iran deal was signed electronically on Sunday by President Trump, Vice President Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, senior administration officials told reporters on Monday. Why it matters: The deal is already testing whether Washington and Tehran can turn a battlefield pause into a broader settlement — starting with the Strait of Hormuz, and then moving to the far thornier question of Iran's nuclear program.State of play: A 60-day ceasefire extension is in effect, U.S. officials say, including in Lebanon. But the Strait of Hormuz is not expected to begin reopening until after a formal signing ceremony Friday in Geneva.Vance, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Ghalibaf and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to meet Friday with Pakistani and Qatari mediators to discuss the next phase.U.S. officials say the full text of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) will be released in the next 24-48 hours, though Trump said it might not be published until after it's signed.The big picture: Washington and Tehran are racing to shape the narrative around a deal that few people have actually read, but which markets, world leaders and ordinary citizens are already reacting to.The U.S. says relief for Iran will be tied to performance. Iranian state media has described a more generous package.Shipping companies say they're waiting for clearer guarantees from Tehran before sending cargo through the Strait of Hormuz.Hawks in Washington and Israel are pressing the White House to explain exactly what Iran is getting — and what happens if nuclear talks fail.Breaking it down: Here are eight key questions that are still swirling around the deal.The White House did not respond to the questions when asked by Axios.1. Is the deal actually in effect?The MOU was signed electronically on Sunday, with a more formal signing ceremony to be held on Friday in Switzerland.The 60-day extension of the ceasefire took immediate effect, but the strait is not yet fully open.While Trump announced the "immediate" lifting of the U.S. blockade and opening of the strait on Sunday, he later said it would open on Friday once the ceremony takes place.A U.S. defense official said the military was ordered to prepare to lift the blockade Friday.Trump claimed Monday that ships were already moving, though Iranian state media said the status of the strait was unchanged.2. Will the strait be truly "open"?The U.S. side has consistently said the deal would open the strait without "tolls" or any other restrictions. A regional diplomat involved in the mediation told Axios last week that the deal called for shipping volumes through the strait to return to prewar levels within 30 days. But Iranian officials have told state media the strait won't simply return to "pre-war status," and that Iran will retain some level of control.The Fars news agency reported that Iran had agreed not to impose tolls during the 60 days, but would begin charging safety and environmental fees after that.The intrigue: A senior administration official said there would be a "regional dialogue" on the future of the strait and how to ensure it will never be closed again.State of play: Shipping companies are moving cautiously. Maersk and others have said they're waiting for more clarity and guarantees of safety, and some analysts doubt volumes will actually return to the pre-war norm any time soon.A senior administration official told reporters the U.S. expects volumes to increase significantly over the next two weeks, though probably not to return to normal."Some crews want to see a little bit more stability for the next couple of days, maybe the next couple of weeks," the official said.3. What does Iran get?Both sides agree that Iran gets two big things: an end to the fighting, and sanctions waivers to allow oil exports. That alone would generate much-needed revenue for Tehran, but Iranian state media has claimed the government is also getting billions of dollars in frozen funds just for signing.A senior U.S. official adamantly denied that, saying Iran would only get access to those funds based on a "pay for performance model." The full economic benefits of the deal, the U.S. side says, depend on signing a more detailed nuclear accord.Some skeptics of the deal have raised concerns there might be side agreements that give Iran access to cash immediately, though the White House calls that "misinformation."Yes, but: The senior administration official said the U.S. was prepared to make some "small gestures" early in the process on frozen funds and sanctions relief if Iran made similar "gestures" reflecting their willingness to comply with the deal.4. Do they agree about what's been agreed?The U.S.
Celebrities including Bette Midler and Robert De Niro faced widespread online mockery for their anti-Trump concert meant to counter-program his UFC event.
President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron avoided any public tussles over foreign policy at the opening events of the G7 summit in Evian, France, on Monday. The two leaders have had a complicated relationship during Trump’s second term as the United States imposed “Liberation Day” tariffs on most trade partners, pressured the NATO […]
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) called on the Trump administration Monday to brief Congress immediately on the “understanding” with Iran that President Trump says would reopen the Strait of Hormuz but leaves the future of Iran’s nuclear program for later talks. “The American people deserve details and full transparency – what exactly is in…
Washington Examiner White House reporter Christian Datoc described the various political, military, and diplomatic pressures on President Donald Trump as the United States nears a peace deal with Iran. “Ultimately, President Trump has a mountain to climb, not only because of ending the war itself, but kind of countering growing public dissatisfaction with the way […]
