Here are today's featured stories, posted by DU members and curated by the Administrators. More news items can be found in our Latest Breaking News forum, and for all the most up-to-the-minute stories that are being talked about by DU members, visit the Latest Discussions page.
July 15, 2026
Trump threatens to expand strikes on Iran's civilian infrastructure
(The Guardian) Donald Trump has threatened to expand US strikes on Iran next week to target power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal amid a continuing dispute over the strait of Hormuz. “Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges,” the US president said in a Fox News interview on Tuesday. “We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.”
Go to discussionJohnson Says Pentagon Needs More Money for 'Fighting Communism on Our Own Shores'
(Common Dream) As he pushed for Congress to approve $350 billion in new spending requested by the Pentagon, House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested Tuesday that some of the funds were needed for 'fighting communism on our own shores,' an ominous notion in light of President Donald Trump’s threats to deploy the US military against his domestic enemies.
Go to discussionNYC Bar Sends Letter Opposing Todd Blanche's AG Nomination, Calling Him 'Unfit to Lead'
(Mediaite) The New York City Bar Association released a letter it sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee opposing the nomination of Todd Blanche as Attorney General, denouncing him for his “misplaced loyalty” to President Donald Trump and numerous egregious ethical issues. Blanche previously served as Deputy Attorney General during Pam Bondi’s tenure leading the Department of Justice, and became interim Attorney General after her ouster.
Go to discussionAttorney General Nominee Todd Blanche Testifies at Confirmation Hearing
(C-SPAN) 9:00 AM -- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testifies at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. President Trump nominated him for the role after firing Pam Bondi.
Go to discussion
'Too cute by half': Senators brush off Trump's suggestions for honoring Graham
(Politico) The late Sen. Lindsey Graham was known as a champion of American military power, strong global alliances, conservative jurisprudence and more. Cryptocurrency regulation? Not so much. So when President Donald Trump suggested in a Truth Social post Monday that the Senate should pass a long-brewing crypto bill in "honor of Senator Lindsey Graham," it struck a false note to many lawmakers. It also underscored how quickly many in Washington are moving after the Republican senator's death Saturday to claim his mantle for their own purposes.
Go to discussionGOP senator revives Trump's birthright citizenship fight
(USA Today) Less than two weeks after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s effort to restrict birthright citizenship, Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., introduced legislation that would deny automatic citizenship to some children born in the United States. The proposal seeks to revive one of Trump's most contentious immigration policies through federal law.
Go to discussionTrump says ICE should continue traffic stops after recent shootings
(AP) President Donald Trump says Immigration and Customs Enforcement should continue traffic stops after recent fatal shootings, seeming to contradict a new policy to halt them. Trump wrote early Wednesday on his social media site ICE is “doing a GREAT job, one that has to be done.” In Florida on Tuesday, a third man in roughly a week died during an encounter with immigration officers. This time, a 28-year-old man was killed after he was hit by a tractor trailer while running from immigration and other federal officers, authorities said.
Go to discussionWGA sues Paramount, claiming Warner Bros. acquisition would take away jobs
(LA Times) The Writers Guild of America sued Paramount Skydance on Tuesday, alleging that the company's planned $111-billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery violates federal antitrust law. The union said that with fewer competitors, the merged Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery business would be able to lower costs by reducing writers' wages and work. "Writers will be paid less and have fewer employment opportunities," the WGA said in its lawsuit.
Go to discussionTrump Mocked with a 10-Foot 'Iran War Participation Trophy' That Appeared on the National Mall
(People) A large trophy mocking President Donald Trump’s handling of the ongoing conflict with Iran has been erected at the National Mall. The 10-foot-tall statue, which was reportedly created by the satirical art group known as The Secret Handshake, featured a large gold trophy spray-painted with “#1” etched on it and “participant” printed below, according to The Washington Post and U.K. newspaper The Independent.
Go to discussion