“Energy analysts refer to the swing of prices as ‘up like a rocket, down like a feather’ — a phenomenon that means gasoline costs quickly rise alongside the price of crude oil but are slow to follow its descent.”

“Instead, Democratic strategists say the feud has driven attention and millions in campaign cash toward the Arizona Democrat as he ‘seriously’ considers a 2028 presidential run in what will likely be a crowded field.”

“More importantly, it blessed one of the Senate’s most centrist members with an identity as a fighter in a party hungry for confrontation with President Donald Trump.”

“That is the position Iran’s leaders are pushing even though the country lost a slew of its top political and military figures, suffered a battering to its stock of ballistic missiles and was left with an economy — which was already struggling — strained even further by a naval blockade.”

Said Trump: “We are not investing any money in Iran, by the way, and with that rumor got out there yesterday was ridiculous. We have the right to go in some day and do, if I want to do something, or if somebody wants to do something, but we are not investing any money.”

“The tension in their one-on-one meeting is reflective of the strained relationship Trump has with Macron and other European leaders, who remain frustrated that the American president started a war with Iran, has threatened to annex Greenland, and expressed sympathy for Russia in its war with Ukraine.”

“Independents have grown to 47% of the population, rising roughly 10 points since just after President Donald Trump’s first term as president.”

“The net effect — paying for passage through the vital waterway for global energy supplies, which was not required before the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran — could add expense and complications for commercial shipping in the waterway, and set a dangerous precedent for shipping in international waters worldwide.”

“Glory, Grief, and the Gavel: An Inside Guide to Running for Speaker of the House will be out next week, and it’s a pretty juicy read. It dives deep into former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s rise and ultimate fall from Congress. It has some pretty good nuggets from the rooms Leganski was in; he served as McCarthy’s deputy chief of staff.”

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“What is clear, though, is that this may be the last chance for Trump and Republicans to change the subject back to the issue driving every race — the state of the U.S. economy. The big question hanging over Washington now is what Trump will do next.”

“GOP congressional leaders are desperate for Trump to not only wind down the Iran conflict but also begin focusing on the affordability issues that are driving a backlash to Republicans nationwide.”

“The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to receive Blanche’s paperwork this week, according to a person familiar with the process granted anonymity to speak about the plans. That would kick off the countdown to a confirmation vote as soon as the first full week of August. Grassley said in a statement on Monday he expected his panel to hold Blanche’s hearing in July.”

“A trio of obscure super PACs with progressive-sounding names have cropped up in recent months to support more left-leaning or scandal-tarnished candidates in key battleground districts.”

Semafor: “The GOP’s position on Iran has long disfavored dealmaking, with most Republican lawmakers railing against then-President Barack Obama’s 2015 nuclear pact with Tehran. Many of those same Republicans withheld judgment on Monday on the memorandum that Trump signed on Sunday, given the lack of available information about it.”

“Oil prices have started to recede, but fuel costs generally will not fall to prewar levels immediately, and it may be months before consumers see full relief at the gas pump.”

“The pool was gleaming last week after the work, which was meant to fix two longstanding problems, leaks and algal blooms, before the country’s 250th birthday. But after several hot and humid days, the algae returned in force.”

— James Carville, quoted by Mediaite. 

“Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said he’s ‘generally satisfied’ with Blanche’s paperwork and plans to meet with him next week.”

“Ratcliffe isn’t the only skeptic in Trump’s top team. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have both expressed concerns and raised questions about the deal in internal discussions, while Vice President Vance and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner advocated for it.”

“But as July 4 nears, a separate organization called Freedom 250, created by President Trump, has taken over the handling of the biggest and boldest events…”

“The story of how there came to be two groups working on the anniversary celebrations — one created by Congress and the other by Mr. Trump — is a tale of government dysfunction and deep partisanship at what would normally be a moment of national unity. And behind the scenes, the power struggle has been driven by a president who is willing to push Congress aside and bring his own personal brand to the country’s marquee celebrations.”