This Morning's Political News: 4‑Minute Read
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Saturday, May 23, 2026 · 8:00 a.m. ET
Federal Level
Gabbard Resigns as Intelligence Chief Amid Forced Exit
Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation on Friday as Director of National Intelligence, citing her husband Abraham Williams’s recent diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer. Her departure, effective June 30, marks the fourth woman to leave the Trump cabinet in roughly two months. Reuters reported that White House officials had pushed Gabbard out, though the White House attributed her exit to her husband’s illness. Deputy Director Aaron Lukas will serve as acting director.1, 2, 3
House GOP Cancels Iran War Powers Vote, Fearing Defeat
House Republican leaders on Friday canceled a scheduled vote on a war powers resolution that would have required President Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the ongoing conflict with Iran, after it became clear the measure would pass with bipartisan support. Democrats condemned the move, calling it a failure of congressional accountability. Lawmakers are now expected to vote on the resolution in June, after returning from the Memorial Day recess.4, 5, 6
Trump Demands Iran Surrender Enriched Uranium
President Trump declared on Friday that Iran will not be allowed to retain its stockpile of highly enriched uranium under any future arrangement, saying the U.S. has secured it and will “probably destroy it.” He described the Iran war as one that “will end very soon,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio, departing for a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Sweden, said there are “some positive signals” but urged caution.7, 8
ICE Funding Bill Stalls; Congress Leaves for Recess
Congress departed Washington on Friday for the Memorial Day recess without voting on the $72 billion immigration enforcement reconciliation bill, missing President Trump’s June 1 deadline. The collapse was driven by Republican resistance to the administration’s $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the chamber “will pick up where we left off” when senators return on June 1. 9, 10
Trump Issues Memorial Day Proclamation
President Trump on Friday issued the annual Memorial Day proclamation, designating Monday, May 25, as a day of prayer for permanent peace and calling on Americans to observe a National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time. The proclamation honors fallen members of the U.S. armed forces.11
State Level
Texas Senate Runoff: Paxton Surges with Trump Backing
Attorney General Ken Paxton concluded his final campaign push on Friday ahead of Tuesday’s Republican Senate primary runoff against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, leaning heavily on President Trump’s endorsement made earlier this week. Cornyn’s campaign and allied groups have outspent Paxton roughly 3-to-1, with Cornyn’s total approaching $90 million, compared to about $10 million for Paxton. The race is rated as competitive and carries significant implications for the GOP’s Senate dynamics.12, 13
NC Legislature Puts Tax Cap Amendments on November Ballot
The North Carolina General Assembly approved two constitutional amendment proposals on Wednesday that will go before voters in November. One would permanently cap the state income tax rate at 3.5 percent; the other would limit how quickly local governments may raise property taxes. Both passed largely along party lines, with Republicans arguing they protect affordability and Democrats warning they could starve schools and local services of needed revenue.14, 15
Hogan Retires from Politics, Launches Leadership Institute
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced on Sunday his permanent retirement from electoral politics and the launch of the nonpartisan Hogan Institute at Washington College. Hogan, who has never fully aligned with the MAGA wing of the GOP, said he will focus on teaching ethical leadership to the next generation of public servants rather than seeking office again. He called the 2026 midterms a pivotal test of whether Republicans with independent voices can survive in today’s political climate.16
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Article Sources
1. The New York Times, “Tulsi Gabbard Resigns as Director of National Intelligence,” May 22, 2026.
2. The Guardian, “US intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard leaving post after rocky tenure,” May 22, 2026.
3. CNBC, “Tulsi Gabbard resigning as Trump’s intelligence chief,” May 22, 2026.
4. NBC News, “House Republicans cancel vote curbing Trump on Iran,” May 22, 2026.
5. NPR, “Republicans call off vote on Iran war resolution,” May 22, 2026.
6. CBS News, “House Republicans pull vote on Iran war resolution,” May 21, 2026.
7. Chosun, “Trump: U.S. Secured Iran’s Highly Enriched Uranium for Destruction,” May 22, 2026.
8. Anadolu Agency, “Morning Briefing: US against Hormuz tolls, will seize Iran’s uranium,” May 22, 2026.
9. CBS News, “Congress delays votes on ICE funding amid GOP opposition to new fund,” May 22, 2026.
10. The Hill, “Senate Republicans punt vote on reconciliation bill,” May 21, 2026.
11. The White House, “Memorial Day, 2026,” Proclamation, May 22, 2026.
12. The Washington Post, “Paxton makes his final pitch in Texas US Senate race against Cornyn,” May 22, 2026.
13. PBS NewsHour, “Paxton makes his final pitch in the Texas Senate race against Cornyn,” May 22, 2026.
14. WRAL, “North Carolinians to vote on income, property tax limits after legislature acts,” May 19, 2026.
15. WLOS, “2 tax amendments will be on the ballot for North Carolina voters this November,” May 20, 2026.
16. The Washington Post, “Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to retire from politics,” May 22, 2026.