Donald Trump has dismissed Iran's latest peace proposals as 'stupid' and denied he was under any domestic pressure to reach a deal. Referring to the ceasefire in force since 7 April, Trump said: 'I would call it the weakest, right now, after reading that piece of garbage they sent us – I didn't even finish reading it. I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support, where the doctor walks in and says: Sir, your loved one has approximately a 1% chance of living.'
Ceasefire on 'Life Support'
Trump's latest comments came after oil prices jumped again when Iran said there would be no further talks about ending the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz unless he accepted its terms. The US president is considering restarting US navy military escorts of ships through the vital waterway to end the Iranian blockade.
Supreme Court Allows Alabama Congressional Map
The US supreme court ruled on Monday that Alabama can use a congressional map a lower court had previously said was intentionally drawn to discriminate against Black voters. This decision shows how aggressively the justices are willing to move to free up Republican states to redraw districts that dilute the influence of Black voters.
Democrats Oppose $1bn Funding for Trump's Ballroom
Chuck Schumer, the US Senate's top Democrat, has vowed to oppose a Republican plan to spend $1bn on security improvements for the ballroom Donald Trump is seeking to build on the White House's former East Wing. The money is set to be included in a measure allocating about $70bn to federal agencies leading Trump's mass deportation campaign.
Democrats Express Concerns Over Deportation Flights
A group of 40 House Democrats have described 'grave concerns' over the Trump administration's secretive program of deportation flights and demanded the Federal Aviation Administration address allegations of mistreatment and inhumane conditions on ICE charter jets.
Pentagon to Review Senator's Remarks on Weapons Stockpiles
Pete Hegseth said he had referred senator Mark Kelly to Pentagon lawyers for allegedly disclosing classified information about depleted US weapons stockpiles – information Kelly said he heard from the defense secretary, in public, under oath.
Suspect in White House Press Dinner Shooting Pleads Not Guilty
The suspect accused of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last month at a gala in Washington DC has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Cole Tomas Allen did not speak in court on Monday as his attorney entered the plea on his behalf.
Trump Renominates Cameron Hamilton to Lead FEMA
Donald Trump has once again nominated Cameron Hamilton to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Hamilton was previously fired for publicly opposing plans to abolish the agency.
Lawsuit Seeks to Halt Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Renovation
A historic preservation group filed a lawsuit seeking to halt Donald Trump's ongoing renovation to the Lincoln Memorial's reflecting pool, the latest in a string of court challenges to efforts to remake Washington DC landmarks.
Other Developments
- The US supreme court extended a short-term order to continue allowing nationwide access to mail-order mifepristone, an abortion medication.
- Virginia Democrats asked the US supreme court to revive a congressional map designed to boost their party's chances in November's midterm elections.
- The US Senate is expected to confirm Kevin Warsh this week as chair of the Federal Reserve.
- A new research tool found a 42% drop in visitors from Canada to big metropolitan areas in the US, suggesting Canadians are avoiding US cities.
- New legal action aims to head off a Trump administration plan to open up to 24m acres of federal lands to cattle grazing.
- The family of one of two people killed in an April 2025 shooting at Florida State University has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the suspected gunman carried out the attack with input from ChatGPT.
