Early Morning Political News: 4‑Minute Read
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Saturday, June 13, 2026
Federal Level
U.S.-Iran Peace Deal Could Be Signed This Weekend
Senior U.S. and Iranian officials confirmed on Friday, June 12, that both sides have agreed on the text of a memorandum of understanding to end the three-month war, with a signing ceremony possible as early as this weekend. The deal calls for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days, halt enrichment of highly enriched uranium, and allow an international inspection regime, in exchange for the phased lifting of U.S. sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Pakistan’s prime minister, who helped mediate, confirmed the agreed text on Friday. Nuclear program details would be finalized during a subsequent 60-day negotiating period.¹
Judge Permanently Blocks Trump’s $1.8B ‘Slush Fund’
Federal Judge Leonie Brinkema of the Eastern District of Virginia issued a permanent preliminary injunction on Friday, June 12, blocking the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, which had been billed as compensation for individuals who claimed to be victims of politically motivated prosecutions. Brinkema said she does not trust the administration’s assurances that it has abandoned the fund, and ordered the DOJ to provide a sworn declaration within one week confirming the fund will not proceed in any form or under any name. Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress had previously labeled the fund a political slush fund.²
Courts Force Trump’s Name Off the Kennedy Center
Federal appeals courts on Friday, June 12, denied the Trump administration’s last-minute request to pause a lower-court order requiring the removal of President Trump’s name from the facade of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by midnight Friday. Judge Christopher Cooper, who issued the original ruling on May 29, held that only Congress has the authority to rename the federally chartered arts center. Workers began removing the signage in the early hours of Saturday morning, though the administration is expected to continue pursuing the matter on appeal.³
Surveillance Law Lapses as Congress Leaves Washington
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act officially lapsed at midnight Friday, June 12, after Congress was unable to agree on a renewal and the House left Washington for its scheduled recess until June 23. Speaker Johnson called the lapse “a significant national security risk.” Intelligence officials note that existing court-approved collection orders will allow most surveillance operations to continue uninterrupted through at least early 2027, but no new collection orders can be issued while the authority is expired.⁴
House Passes Bill to Reopen $9B Ukraine Aid Package
The House voted 226-195 on Wednesday, June 11, to pass a bill providing approximately $9 billion in direct aid and loans to Ukraine, after a bipartisan group of members used a rare procedural maneuver called a discharge petition to force the vote over Speaker Johnson’s objections. It was the first time in years that the House rank and file successfully overruled the Speaker to bring a bill to the floor. The measure now moves to the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain.⁵
State Level
Maine Ranked-Choice Count Begins; Results Next Week
Maine’s ranked-choice tabulation for both the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries got underway on Friday, June 12, at the state’s Department of Public Safety headquarters in Augusta. In the Democratic race, public health official Nirav Shah leads on first-choice votes with roughly 27 percent, followed by Hannah Pingree and Troy Jackson. Republican businessman Bobby Charles leads his field at about 37 percent. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said she expects to certify results no earlier than late next week.⁶
South Carolina GOP Primary Runoff Now Required in July
With all precincts reporting from Tuesday’s Republican primary for governor of South Carolina, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette and former Congressman Ralph Norman advanced to a July 14 runoff after neither candidate secured the majority needed to win outright. Evette led with roughly 36 percent and Norman followed with approximately 22 percent. The eventual nominee will be heavily favored in November in a state that voted for Trump by 20 points in 2024. The winner will succeed term-limited Governor Henry McMaster.⁷
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Article Sources
1. Reuters, “US, Iran Signal Peace Deal Near as Tehran Claims Victory,” June 12, 2026.
2. Associated Press, “US expects to sign agreement to end Iran war within next few days: Senior official,” June 12, 2026.
3. Audacy/WCCO Radio, “US and Iran are close to a deal to end their war, officials say,” June 12, 2026.
4. UPI, “Judge extends block on Trump administration anti-weaponization fund,” June 12, 2026.
5. Reuters, “US judge indefinitely blocks Trump’s anti-weaponization fund,” June 12, 2026.
6. Reuters, “Trump’s name removed from Kennedy Center in predawn operation,” June 12, 2026.
7. CNBC, “Trump name still must come down from Kennedy Center, judge says,” June 12, 2026.
8. The New York Times, “Kennedy Center Appeals Order to Remove Trump’s Name,” June 11, 2026.
9. The New York Times, “FISA Surveillance Law Is Set to Lapse After Congress Fails to Reach Deal,” June 12, 2026.
10. KPMG Capitol Hill Weekly, “House Passes Bill to Reopen $9B Ukraine Aid Package,” June 8, 2026.
11. Maine Secretary of State’s Office, Press Release, “Ranked Choice Voting Tabulation Begins,” June 12, 2026.
12. El Pais, “Primary elections in South Carolina, Maine, Nevada, and North Dakota: What you need to know,” June 8, 2026.