This Morning's Political News: 4‑Minute Read
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Wednesday, June 3, 2026 · 8:00 a.m. ET
Federal Level
Trump Taps Housing Chief Pulte as Acting Spy Chief
President Trump announced on Tuesday that he is appointing Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director of national intelligence. Pulte, an heir to a construction empire and a Trump loyalist, has no known background in intelligence, defense, or national security. He will simultaneously retain his role overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Tulsi Gabbard, the outgoing DNI, is scheduled to leave her post on June 30 to care for her husband, who is battling bone cancer.1, 2
DOJ Kills Anti-Weaponization Fund; ICE Bill Gets New Life
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told a House Appropriations subcommittee on Tuesday that the Justice Department will not move forward with the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” regardless of future court proceedings. The announcement came one day after a federal judge temporarily blocked the fund, which Republican senators had labeled a political slush fund. With that obstacle removed, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House GOP leaders expressed confidence Tuesday that they can pass the $72 billion ICE and Border Patrol reconciliation bill, provided it stays narrowly focused on immigration enforcement through 2029.3, 4
Rubio Offers Cautious Hope on Iran Nuclear Talks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday in his first public congressional appearance since the Iran war began on February 28. Rubio said Iran has agreed to discuss aspects of its nuclear program it previously refused to acknowledge, but he offered no guarantees a deal would result. He confirmed that sanctions relief is conditioned solely on Iran’s nuclear concessions, not on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The hearing was briefly interrupted by protesters chanting opposition to U.S. policy toward Cuba.5, 6
Trump Signs Executive Order on AI and Cybersecurity
President Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday directing federal agencies to strengthen cybersecurity across government systems and to establish a voluntary AI cybersecurity clearinghouse to identify and address software vulnerabilities. The order invites AI developers to share advanced models with the government up to 30 days before public release for security evaluation, but explicitly prohibits any mandatory licensing or preclearance requirement. The White House said the order builds on the national cyber strategy Trump released in March 2026.7, 8
Hegseth Pulls Women, Black Officers From Navy’s Promotion List
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blocked the promotions of eight Navy captains to one-star admiral, including two women and two Black men, overriding a promotion board convened by senior Navy admirals. The Pentagon’s official promotion list, released in late May, contains no female officers despite women comprising roughly 21 percent of the active-duty Navy. Reports indicate Hegseth also sought to place a member of his personal staff on the list, though that officer did not meet the required criteria. Critics called the intervention a politically motivated departure from a merit-based system.9, 10
State Level
Hilton and Becerra Lead in California’s Wide-Open Primary
California held its top-two primary on Tuesday, and early returns showed Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra locked in a tight race for the two spots that advance to November’s general election. With roughly half the votes counted Tuesday night, Hilton led with 27 percent and Becerra trailed at 26 percent, with Democrat Tom Steyer at 20 percent. Three other Democrats, including former Rep. Katie Porter and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, conceded defeat.11, 12
Iowa Voters Reject Trump’s Pick for Governor in Stunning Upset
Iowa Republican primary voters delivered a notable rebuke of President Trump on Tuesday, choosing MAHA-aligned businessman Zach Lahn over Trump-endorsed U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra in the GOP gubernatorial primary. With nearly all votes counted, Lahn won 37.8 percent to Feenstra’s 37 percent. It is the first time in the 2026 midterm cycle that a Trump-backed candidate for governor, House, or Senate has lost a primary. Feenstra conceded Tuesday evening. Lahn will face Democrat Rob Sand in the November general election.13, 14
Haaland Wins New Mexico Primary, Eyes Historic Governorship
Former U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland won the Democratic gubernatorial primary in New Mexico on Tuesday, defeating Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman. Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, is poised to become the first Native American woman elected governor in U.S. history. In a state where Republicans hold no statewide offices, she is heavily favored in November’s general election.15, 16
Schumer Stands By Platner One Week Before Maine Primary
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer met with Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner in Washington on Tuesday and publicly reaffirmed his endorsement, saying, ‘We are going to beat Susan Collins and take back the Senate.’ The meeting came one week before Maine’s June 9 Democratic primary, and amid ongoing reports that Platner exchanged sexually explicit messages with multiple women while married. Platner did not comment publicly after the meeting. Democrats regard the Maine race as one of their top opportunities to flip a Senate seat in November.17, 18
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Article Sources
1. The New York Times, “Trump Names Bill Pulte as Acting Director of National Intelligence,” June 2, 2026.
2. ABC News, “Housing Finance Director Bill Pulte tapped by Trump to be acting director of national intelligence,” June 2, 2026.
3. PBS NewsHour, “Justice Department scraps Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization fund’ after pushback from Congress,” June 2, 2026.
4. The Hill, “GOP senators see path for reconciliation package after anti-weaponization fund dropped,” June 2, 2026.
5. Reuters, “Rubio grilled on Iran, says US won’t swap sanctions relief for strait,” June 2, 2026.
6. CNBC, “Rubio says U.S. is in talks with Iran over nuclear program as senators press for war endgame,” June 2, 2026.
7. Reuters, “Trump signed order to promote advanced AI innovation and security, White House says,” June 2, 2026.
8. The Washington Times, “Trump signs order creating voluntary cybersecurity for AI models before their release,” June 2, 2026.
9. The New York Times, “Hegseth strikes female and Black Navy officers from promotion list,” June 1, 2026.
10. The Wall Street Journal, “Hegseth Blocks Eight Navy Senior Officer Promotions,” June 1, 2026.
11. CalMatters, “California election result: Becerra, Hilton lead in governor’s race,” June 2, 2026.
12. KTLA 5 News, “Live election results update: California governor’s race,” June 2, 2026.
13. NBC News, “MAHA-backed Zach Lahn defeats Trump-backed Randy Feenstra in Iowa GOP primary for governor,” June 2, 2026.
14. USA Today, “Primary election results updates: June 2,” June 2, 2026.
15. NBC News, “Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland wins Democratic nomination in New Mexico governor’s race,” June 2, 2026.
16. The New York Times, “Deb Haaland wins nomination in New Mexico governor’s race,” June 2, 2026.
17. Reuters, “Schumer meets with Maine Senate candidate Platner ahead of primary,” June 2, 2026.
18. Newsweek, “Graham Platner’s Chances of Winning Maine Fall Amid Texting Accusations,” June 1, 2026.