— President Trump, speaking to reporters.

“That strategy has seen the ceasefire between the US and Iran tested as the two sides traded fire in recent days after Trump ordered US warships to provide cover for merchant vessels transiting the strait, and then abruptly shelved ‘Project Freedom’ on Tuesday. Iran also targeted oil facilities in the nearby United Arab Emirates.”

“But as top Democrats in the Empire State move ahead with their attempt to redraw lines in 2028, they’re also far more likely to pull their punches in the ongoing gerrymandering wars.”

“He paused plans to convert industrial warehouses into immigrant detention centers. Immigration agents have been told to stop entering homes without judicial warrants. His department has tried to rebrand Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers as “NICE” officers, at the urging of President Trump.”

“The change in tactics stemmed from fears within the Republican Party that the crackdown could cost them voters in this year’s midterm elections. But the image overhaul has drawn backlash from some ardent Trump supporters who want the administration to dramatically ramp up arrests and broaden its focus beyond immigrants with criminal records.”

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Said Greene: “I’m so sick of the ‘look at the shiny object’ propaganda while they wage foreign wars, let rapist and pedophiles run free, and ruin the value of our dollar. Unless they roll out live aliens and test demo UFOs or actually admit what we know this really is then I have way better things to do on this Friday.”

She added: “The most transparent administration in history still hasn’t released all the Epstein files or arrested anyone, but rolled out some UFO files today so you would get so excited that you forgot you are paying over $4.50/gallon because they are fighting another foreign war they said they would no longer fight.”

“California is the ultimate paradox of Democratic rule. A state of immense wealth, innovation and cultural power is increasingly unable to deliver the basics of housing, public safety and disaster response.”

“Democrats have been outperforming Kamala Harris’s 2024 numbers by about 13 points in special elections and maintain a sizable enthusiasm advantage going forward. Democrats are fired up. Republicans are divided and depressed. These court rulings don’t change the basic reality that the American people think Trump and the Republicans are doing a terrible job, are focused on all of the wrong things, and want a change in Washington.”

“The hurdle is higher, but Democrats can absolutely still get over it. This sucks, but all is not lost.”

“The decision is a huge boost to Republicans’ chances of keeping the House in November, with even some Democrats acknowledging they basically need to run the table in November to win now.”

This week’s news was dominated by new evidence of Donald Trump’s grip on the GOP, the fallout from the Supreme Court’s voting rights ruling and a fast-moving redistricting scramble that could shape control of the midterm elections.

How well did you pay attention?

The vote was 4-3.

The court ruled that the Democratic-controlled legislature did not follow proper procedure for enacting a constitutional amendment.

Rick Hasen: “There does not appear to be any further recourse to change Virginia’s maps before the 2026 elections, dealing a blow to Democrats in the gerrymandering wars recently supercharged by the Supreme Court’s decision in Callais.”

For members: The Map Wars Turns Against Democrats

And on this week’s Trial Balloon: Map Wars