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Mar 30, 2026

Monday, March 30, 2026 · 8:00 a.m. ET

Federal Level

Trump Claims Iran Regime Change, Floats Seizing Oil as Diplomacy and Strikes Continue

President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that Iran has undergone “regime change,” claiming that one regime “was decimated, destroyed” and that the United States is now dealing with “different people” who have been “very reasonable.” Trump said Iran had agreed to “most of” a 15-point U.S. plan to end the war and would send 20 large oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday as a “sign of respect.” In a separate interview with the Financial Times, Trump said his “preference would be to take the oil in Iran” and raised the possibility of seizing Kharg Island, which handles 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports. Iran’s parliament speaker dismissed the talks as cover for a ground invasion, and Iranian officials have publicly denied any negotiations are underway.^1,2,3

Scalise Declines to Rule Out U.S. Ground Troops in Iran

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise declined on Sunday to rule out American ground troops entering Iran when pressed on ABC’s “This Week.” Scalise said “there are no boots on the ground today, but we’re having a lot of conversations about what could happen next,” adding that “most civilized people recognize a nuclear-armed Iran is not an option.” Scalise also disclosed that members of Congress are in active discussions with the White House about a potential supplemental war funding request, though no formal proposal has been submitted. Senator Chris Van Hollen, appearing on the same program, countered that the administration has “no particular objective” and “no endgame whatsoever.”^4,5

New Poll Finds Cracks in Trump’s MAHA Coalition Ahead of Midterms

A Politico poll released today found that the Make America Healthy Again movement, a key piece of the coalition that helped elect President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., may be shifting toward Democrats on its core issues. While 70 percent of Trump voters support MAHA, roughly one-third of Americans planning to vote Democratic in November also identify with the movement. The poll found that the top priorities of self-identified MAHA supporters, including halting infectious diseases, regulating “forever chemicals,” and expanding reproductive health care, are issues Democrats have championed more than Republicans. An ally of Kennedy warned in a memo that the GOP is “renting MAHA voters” but has not “purchased” them.⁶

TSA Officers Still Calling Out Sick Despite Trump’s Order to Resume Pay

Despite President Trump’s executive order on Friday directing that TSA workers be paid, more than 10 percent of scheduled officers called out sick on Saturday nationwide, with rates exceeding 30 percent at Baltimore, JFK, and Atlanta airports, according to DHS. More than 500 TSA officers have quit since the DHS funding standoff began on February 14. White House border czar Tom Homan said on CNN Sunday that paychecks should arrive by Monday or Tuesday, and the TSA confirmed officers can expect back pay starting today. Whether the resumption of paychecks will meaningfully reduce airport wait times remains to be seen.^7,8

Trump’s Approval Among Independent Voters Drops to Historic Lows

A Quinnipiac University poll shows President Trump’s approval rating among independent voters has fallen to 25 percent, with 68 percent disapproving, a net shift of 20 points in the negative direction since December. The same poll found Democrats leading Republicans on the generic congressional ballot among independents by 31 points, 57 percent to 26 percent. Polling analyst Brett Loyd of the Independent Center told Newsweek that “when the independent margin in these elections favors the opposition by double digits, the ruling party should begin preparing for a transition.” The numbers come as 36 House Republicans have now announced their retirement ahead of the midterms, the most in nearly a century.⁹

State Level

Arizona Judge Blocks No Labels Party from Rebranding as Arizona Independent Party

A Maricopa County judge ruled that the No Labels Party cannot change its name to the Arizona Independent Party, finding that Secretary of State Adrian Fontes lacked the legal authority to approve the switch. Judge Greg Como wrote that allowing a name change without requiring new petition signatures would amount to a “political bait and switch,” since more than 41,000 people had signed up under the original party name. Party Chairman Paul Johnson said he has filed an appeal and that candidates will simply appear on the ballot under the No Labels name in the meantime.^10,11

Washington Governor Set to Sign Historic Millionaires Tax into Law

Governor Bob Ferguson is expected to sign Senate Bill 6346 this morning in Olympia, establishing the first income tax in Washington state history. The measure levies a 9.9 percent tax on annual income above one million dollars, affecting fewer than half of one percent of the state’s households, and is projected to generate roughly three billion dollars in revenue beginning in 2029. Funds will support expanded tax credits for 460,000 working families, free school meals for all K-12 students, and new child care investments. State Republicans are already organizing a ballot repeal effort, and business groups have signaled plans to challenge the law in court on constitutional grounds.^12,13

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