Early Morning Political News: 4‑Minute Read
Brought to You by the Center Voter |“We Report Only the Facts”
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Federal Level
U.S. Strikes Iran Over Ceasefire-Violating Ship Attack
The U.S. military struck Iranian missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites on Friday, June 26, in direct response to an Iranian drone attack the previous day on the Ever Lovely, a Singapore-registered cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump called the attack a “foolish violation” of the June 17 memorandum of understanding. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it responded with strikes on U.S. military installations and warned that future aggression would be met with a broader response. The fragile ceasefire now hangs in the balance.1, 2
Bolton Pleads Guilty to Retaining Classified Information
Former national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty on Friday, June 26, in a federal Maryland courtroom to one felony count of willfully retaining classified information from his time in the Trump White House. Bolton admitted to forwarding more than 1,000 pages of classified daily notes to family members, material that was later accessed by an Iranian-linked cyber actor. Under a plea deal, he faces up to five years in prison and has agreed to a $2.25 million fine. Sentencing is set for October 28.3, 4
Trump Warns of 100% Tariff Over Digital Services Taxes
President Trump on Friday, June 26, threatened to impose a 100% tariff on goods from any country that enacts a digital services tax targeting American technology companies. The announcement came one day after European Union nations ratified a trade deal with the United States and immediately inflamed transatlantic tensions, as several European governments have been moving forward with their own digital-tax plans. Trump said on Truth Social that the tariff would “supersede” any existing trade agreements.5, 6
Trump Labels NY Democratic Socialists ‘Communists’
Speaking at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s annual “Road to Majority” conference in Washington on Friday, June 26, President Trump called the progressive Democrats who won New York congressional primaries on June 23 “godless communists” and said their victories represent “the greatest threat to our country since its founding.” Three Mamdani-backed candidates, including two members of the Democratic Socialists of America, defeated establishment incumbents in Tuesday’s primaries. Analysts say Republicans intend to use the results as a rallying point heading into November’s midterms.7, 8
Epstein Witness Leon Black Subpoenaed After Walking Out
House Oversight Chairman James Comer issued two subpoenas on Friday, June 26, to billionaire investor Leon Black after Black walked out of a transcribed interview with the committee investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s network. Comer said Black refused to answer questions about non-disclosure agreements he is believed to have signed with some of Epstein’s victims. Black, in prepared opening remarks, said he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and described himself as having been deceived. A deposition is now scheduled for July 16.9, 10
House Hard-Liners Waver as Congress Eyes Busy Return Week
President Trump on Friday, June 26, gave Speaker Mike Johnson a tenuous lifeline when he publicly told Republican hard-liners to lift their blockade of House floor business, which had forced an early recess. However, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said she would only cooperate if the SAVE America Act was attached to the annual defense authorization bill, a move Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned would kill the must-pass legislation. Congress is expected to return Monday with a long agenda including fiscal year 2027 spending bills and a kids’ online safety measure.11
State Level
NC House Overrides Gov. Stein’s Vetoes on DEI and Immigration
The North Carolina House voted on Thursday, June 25, to override four vetoes by Democratic Governor Josh Stein, passing anti-DEI legislation and a new immigration enforcement law after two Democratic members were absent, giving Republicans the three-fifths majority they needed. The NC Border Protection Act, now law, requires state agencies to cooperate with federal immigration authorities and verify citizenship before awarding Medicaid, housing, and unemployment benefits. Two DEI-related education bills also became law after both chambers completed the override process.12, 13
Alan Wilson Wins SC GOP Gubernatorial Runoff Over Trump’s Pick
State Attorney General Alan Wilson defeated Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial runoff on Tuesday, June 23, despite President Trump having originally endorsed Evette. In the final days before the vote, Trump issued a dual endorsement of both candidates, calling it “a treasure trove.” Wilson, who has served as the state’s attorney general for 15 years and gained national attention prosecuting disgraced attorney Alex Murdaugh, will now face Democratic candidate Jermaine Johnson in November.14, 15
◆
THIS POLITICAL NEWS REPORT IS FREE TO EVERYONE
WOULD YOU KINDLY SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND?
Article Sources
1. Al Jazeera, “US strikes Iran in response to drone strike on commercial ship,” June 26, 2026.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/26/us-strikes-iran-in-response-to-drone-strike-on-commercial-ship
2. The New York Times, “U.S. Strikes Iran in Retaliation for Attack on Vessel in Strait of Hormuz,” June 26, 2026.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/world/middleeast/strait-of-hormuz-iran-attack.html
3. Politico, “’Sorry for it’: John Bolton pleads guilty to retaining classified information,” June 26, 2026.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/26/john-bolton-pleads-guilty-classified-documents-00977972
4. Reuters, “Trump adviser-turned-critic John Bolton pleads guilty in classified info case,” June 26, 2026.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-adviser-turned-critic-john-bolton-plead-guilty-classified-info-case-2026-06-26/
5. Reuters, “Trump threatens 100% tariff on any country that imposes digital services tax,” June 26, 2026.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-threatens-100-tariff-any-country-that-imposes-digital-services-tax-2026-06-26/
6. CNBC, “Trump threatens 100% tariff on countries putting ‘Digital Services Tax on American Companies,’” June 26, 2026.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/26/trump-tariff-trade-tech-tax.html
7. KFGO/Reuters, “Trump says New York candidates’ victories pose ‘greatest threat’ in US history,” June 26, 2026.
https://kfgo.com/2026/06/26/trump-to-return-to-hotel-where-potential-assassination-attempt-was-thwarted/
8. Fox News, “Trump warns ‘godless communists’ will turn cities into slums as Dems fail to fight socialist surge,” June 26, 2026.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-warns-godless-communists-turn-cities-slums-dems-fail-fight-socialist-surge
9. CNBC, “Apollo’s Leon Black says Jeffrey Epstein duped him,” June 26, 2026.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/26/leon-black-jeffrey-epstein-house-oversight-committee.html
10. Politico, “House panel subpoenas Leon Black, escalating tactics in Epstein investigation,” June 26, 2026.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/26/jeffrey-epstein-leon-black-subpoena-congress-00978209
11. Politico, “Capitol agenda: House GOP agenda gets tenuous Trump lifeline,” June 26, 2026.
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/06/26/congress/gop-agenda-trump-tenuous-00977716
12. Sandhills News, “NC House overrides Gov. Stein’s vetoes on DEI and immigration bills,” June 25, 2026.
https://sandhills.news/2026/06/25/nc-house-vetoes-dei-immigration-bills-but-permitless-carry-blocked/
13. PBS, “State Lines | June 26, 2026,” June 26, 2026.
https://www.pbs.org/video/june-26-2026-9qkc3x/
14. Politico, “Alan Wilson, boosted by Trump’s late co-endorsement, wins South Carolina governor runoff,” June 23, 2026.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/23/wilson-wins-south-carolina-governor-primary-00973028
15. NBC News, “Alan Wilson wins GOP nomination for South Carolina governor after dual Trump endorsement,” June 23, 2026.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/south-carolina-governor-runoff-election-winner-wilson-rcna351122