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GOP holds with Trump on Iran war, but cracks emerge as deadline nears
Republicans aren’t ready to jump ship against President Donald Trump’s Iran war, as evidenced by another failed attempt to handcuff his war powers in the Middle East, but they also aren’t lining up to support a prolonged conflict.
Senate Republicans blocked another war powers resolution from Senate Democrats for a fourth time on Tuesday as Operation Epic Fury entered its 46th day. It comes as a fragile ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. is nearing its end, and talks toward a broader peace agreement remain tenuous.
Democrats initially started their war powers strategy to compel Secretary of State Marco Rubio and War Secretary Pete Hegseth to testify publicly on the administration’s rationale behind the conflict. They argued that Iran posed no imminent threat, making the war unconstitutional without congressional approval under the War Powers Resolution.
ROGUE DEM BUCKS PARTY ON TRUMP WAR POWERS, CALLS IRAN ‘47-YEAR-OLD WAR CRIME’
Now, they’ve loaded up six new resolutions to continue that push.
“We’re going to have a debate and a vote every week in the United States Senate until either this war comes to an end or our Republican colleagues decide to do their constitutional duty,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said.
Most Republicans, for now, aren’t breaking with the president. But a 60-day deadline that will require either Congress to weigh in or Trump to cease hostilities is fast approaching, and it’s raising questions among some in the GOP.
Under the War Powers Resolution, Trump has 60 days until Congress is required to weigh in and either authorize or disapprove of the war. If the latter, the administration has 30 days to draw down forces in Iran.
SCHUMER BLASTS TRUMP’S IRAN WAR AS FAILURE, MOVES TO REIN IN HIS WAR POWERS AMID CEASEFIRE
“The president needs to come to Congress in the absence of some imminent threat to the country or an attack on the country, to seek an authorization,” Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said. “Otherwise, it’s illegal to make war as he’s doing.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who has bucked Trump before on Venezuela but toed the party line on Iran, is drafting an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) on the war in Iran, describing the effort in an interview with The New York Times as a way to put parameters around Operation Epic Fury.
When asked by Fox News Digital if she was still working on the AUMF, she said, “Uh huh, I’m working on so much.”
Whether Republicans will support the administration and authorize the war remains an open question. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who has sided with Senate Democrats on each effort to handcuff Trump’s war powers, wouldn’t say how he’d vote on a potential AUMF.
TOP GOP HAWK GRAHAM WARNS IRAN DEAL HAS ‘TROUBLING ASPECTS’ AS CEASEFIRE BEGINS
“I’m not for the war in Iran, I think it’s a war of choice but not my choice,” he said.
Others see an AUMF as a potentially useful tool, if successful, for Trump and his efforts in the Middle East.
“I think maybe an AUMF could be an advantage for the president, to say, even Congress is here for the long time, removing the political calculation that maybe the president doesn’t have Congress’ support,” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said.
Still, the economic toll at the pump and on goods is making Republicans’ constituents feel the immediate pain of the conflict.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., acknowledged the crunch that the war was having on the cost of fertilizer in his agriculture-heavy state, but he questioned the authority of the War Powers Resolution.
“If you accept the war powers as being constitutional, it would be the threshold under which that law would apply,” Thune said. “But I think, you know, at least right now, the steps that have been taken so far I think have been very effective and successful. But we do, they need a plan out, how to wind this down, how to get an outcome.”
Democrats still argue that the war was illegal to begin with and have no plans of letting up on their war powers push, even as the deadline nears.
“If the president has a plan, he can come to Congress and ask for authorization, and we can have the debate we should have had beforehand,” Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said.
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Leavitt shows off US Triumphal Arch, with plans to be released Thursday
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt closed Wednesday’s daily press briefing with more renderings of President Donald Trump‘s new 250-foot “United States Triumphal Arc.”
The Interior Department will submit plans for the “architectural masterpiece” to honor the “enduring triumph of the American spirit” in Washington, D.C., as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations, Leavitt told the White House press corps.
“It’s quite beautiful, as you can see,” Leavitt said, sharing poster renderings. “And this monumental arch will beam at 250 feet tall in honor of 250 years.”
It will rise on vacant green space at Memorial Circle on Columbia Island, a National Park Service-managed island in the Potomac River, according to Leavitt, adding that plans would be submitted Thursday.
AMERICA 250 ORGANIZERS UNVEIL SWEEPING PLANS FOR THE COUNTRY’S HISTORIC BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
“The United States Triumphal Arch will be outfitted with beautiful artwork and depictions celebrating the success of the American people over our 250 year history and the enduring triumph of the American spirit,” she continued.
“Long after everyone in this room is gone, our children and grandchildren will remain inspired by this national monument. Beginning construction this year on the architectural arch is a fitting way to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.”
While Trump has faced obstruction on his building of his privately funded $400 million White House ballroom, Leavitt said the arch project should draw bipartisan backing.
FAMED NATIONAL PARK DROPS ‘ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANT’ BAN AHEAD OF AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY
“Great nations build beautiful structures that cultivate national pride and love of country, and this Triumphal Arch should be a project that all Americans of all political persuasions can support, because it’s a monument for every American to celebrate 250 years of our nation’s proud history,” Leavitt concluded.
The announcement adds a large-scale capital project to the White House’s expanding Freedom 250 agenda, which the administration has been promoting across official White House channels in recent weeks.
Leavitt did not disclose a cost estimate, construction timeline beyond this year, or details on how the project would be reviewed under federal planning and preservation rules. She also did not say whether Congress would need to authorize funding.
The proposed site, Memorial Circle at the northern end of Columbia Island, sits just off the approaches to Arlington Memorial Bridge and near the George Washington Memorial Parkway, placing the project in a prominent ceremonial corridor linking Washington and Arlington.
Leavitt said the administration would have “many more announcements” tied to the 250th anniversary in the coming months.
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Leavitt puts Democrats on defense as ‘disgusting’ allegations against Swalwell mount
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt slammed Democrats on Wednesday over mounting sexual assault allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell, questioning what they knew and why no one spoke out sooner.
“I think the accusations and allegations against former Representative Swalwell are despicable and disgusting,” said Leavitt.
“It’s also quite plausible that there were many other Democrats in this town on Capitol Hill who knew about his, perhaps illegal behavior, certainly his disgusting and inappropriate behavior,” said Leavitt.
Swalwell announced Monday that he would step down from the House after four women came forward accusing the longtime congressman of assault. The mounting allegations, which ultimately derailed his political future, followed his decision to exit California’s 2026 gubernatorial race just a day earlier.
KASH PATEL TAUNTS SWALWELL WITH FBI SIT-DOWN AS RESIGNATION FALLOUT GROWS
Leavitt urged journalists to press lawmakers on why no one spoke out sooner, specifically calling out Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.
“Ask Democrats in power how they knew about such despicable behavior from one of their elected representatives for so long, but never said or did anything about it,” said Leavitt.
Gallego on Monday accused his close congressional ally and longtime friend of living a double life.
“I want to be clear: I had no knowledge of the allegations of assault, harassment, and predatory behavior against Eric Swalwell,” Gallego said in a statement following Swalwell dropping out of California’s 2026 gubernatorial race.
5TH ACCUSER COMES FORWARD AGAINST REP ERIC SWALWELL AHEAD OF EXPECTED RESIGNATION
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also denied having any knowledge of Swalwell’s alleged behavior, saying she had “none whatsoever” in response to a reporter.
Pelosi added Swalwell’s resignation announcement Monday was a “smart decision” and the “right thing to do” after a wave of allegations threatened to force his ouster.
Fox News Digital reached out to Gallego’s office for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Adam Pack contributed to this report.
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Billy Ray Cyrus defends Trump, says being commander in chief is a ‘tough job’
Country music legend Billy Ray Cyrus defended President Donald Trump in a new interview, calling the presidency a “tough job” and urging Americans to pray for the country.
While discussing his upcoming album, the conversation turned to politics, and when asked if the president should be less divisive, Cyrus pointed to his upbringing.
“I can’t speak to his voice — he’s the president,” Cyrus told Sky News. “My dad was a Democrat and served in the Kentucky legislature for over 20 years, but my dad always said, ‘When the president asks you to do something, you do it, son.’”
The country star has spanned both sides of the political aisle, describing himself as a Democrat before endorsing Trump’s reelection bid in 2024 with a photo of the two together. He also played at the Liberty Ball in January 2025 to mark Trump’s return to the White House.
Cyrus said he respects the office of the president, regardless of party.
“I’ve had both Democratic and Republican presidents. Served with Bill Clinton, with President Obama. Mr. Bush, Mr. Bush’s dad and Mr. Trump,” Cyrus said.
“Being president’s a tough job. I pray for our country. I pray for our president and I pray for our world,” he added.
The singer’s performance at the Liberty Ball drew criticism online after technical glitches. Cyrus later told People magazine the honor of the invitation outweighed the equipment issues.
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“I wouldn’t have missed the honor of playing this event whether my microphone, guitar and monitors worked or not. I was there because President Donald J. Trump invited me.”
“I had a ball at the Liberty Ball last night, and I’ve learned through all these years when the producer says, ‘You’re on,’ you go entertain the folks even if the equipment goes to hell. I was there for the people, and we had a blast. That’s called rock n’ roll!!!”
Shortly after the performance, his adopted son Trace Cyrus posted a public message, saying he was unsure what the singer was “struggling with” and that the family is concerned.
COUNTRY STAR ZAC BROWN WARNS ‘POVERTY OF SPIRIT’ AND LACK OF STRUGGLE ARE RUINING AMERICAN KIDS
“We are all hanging on to memories of the man we once knew & hoping for the day he returns. You’re not healthy Dad & everyone is noticing it,” Trace wrote on Instagram.
“Just like I showed up for you at mamaws funeral when you didn’t expect me to I’m still here right now,” he added.
Cyrus responded with his own message on YouTube.
“Sunday callin,” he captioned his post. “Giving thanks for the California Rain. Praying for the brokenhearted and their pain. Praying for my family. For my children… sons and daughters… and their mother. Let this moment be the start of healing for us all. ‘The past does not equal the future.’ Amen.”
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