The White House sent its Department of Homeland Security counteroffer to the United States Senate on Tuesday afternoon, after Democrats sent their own late Monday night – 18 days since the White House made its previous offer.
The letter sent to Sens. Katie Britt (R-AL) and Susan Collins (R-ME) on Tuesday said that the Trump administration “will expand the use of body-worn cameras,” “limit civil immigration enforcement activities at certain sensitive locations” with a handful of exceptions, increase oversight of detention facilities, “enforce the use of visible officer identification” and other practices for officers who are not “undercover,” and “adhere to existing law and practice of not deporting any U.S. citizen and will convey current practice of not knowingly detaining a U.S. citizen, except when the person violates a state or federal law that makes the citizen subject to arrest.”
During an on-background call with reporters on Tuesday, a senior White House official said that “this offer is reasonable, it is serious, it is the product of work that has gone on since the shutdown began.” The Democrats are asking for major changes to be made, including the end of masking for agents and the use of judicial warrants.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
READ: Letter sent by WH to Senate on DHS shutdown.<a href="https://twitter.com/realDailyWire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDailyWire</a>
Trump admin offers to 
-expand body cameras 
-limit civil enforcement at “sensitive locations” 
-increase detention facility oversight 
-“officer identification worn by officers will be clearly displayed.”
And… <a href="https://t.co/6ZUlypxco5">pic.twitter.com/6ZUlypxco5</a>
— Cameron Arcand (@cameron_arcand) <a href="https://twitter.com/cameron_arcand/status/2033992494426534366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
The shutdown started in mid-February over federal immigration enforcement tactics, especially in the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, including the shooting death of Alex Pretti.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dems-send-11th-hour-dhs-counteroffer-in-shutdown-standoff-how-americans-could-pay-price?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Dems+Send+11th-Hour+DHS+Counteroffer+In+Shutdown+Standoff+%E2%80%94+How+Americans+Could+Pay+Price" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported that Britt’s office said that Democrats have been uncooperative in the process to get the department fully opened, even though most of the funding for Trump’s immigration priorities was already signed into law in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” last year. Britt is considered the lead negotiator for Senate Republicans on the topic.
However, impacts of the shutdown have been rippling through the country, most notably with long lines at the airport due to TSA agents calling out or leaving the job, as they are required to work without pay. There have also been mounting national security concerns related to the shutdown amid Operation Epic Fury in Iran.
Democrats have argued that Senate Republicans have blocked legislative proposals to fund agencies like TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard without completely reopening DHS until a deal is hashed out.
“Right now, Republicans are holding TSA agents’ paychecks hostage because they want to provide more money to ICE, without basic reforms to protect Americans’ rights and safety,” Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said in a statement last week. “Democrats will keep fighting to get TSA workers paid and fund FEMA and the Coast Guard, and we’ll keep pushing to enact common-sense steps to prevent more Americans from being hurt, or even killed, by masked federal agents.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) is the only Democrat in the chamber against the shutdown effort, pointing to the OBBA funding for ICE and CBP as rendering the closure pointless, but he’s noted that he still backs immigration enforcement reforms.

US-POLITICS-TRUMP

White House Puts New DHS Offer On The Table — Will Democrats Finally Budge?

Congress

Department of Homeland Security

Immigration

Politics

Senate

U.S. Senate

White House

There was some movement in the talks to end the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security on Monday, as Congressional Democrats sent another counteroffer to the White House, 18 days after the Trump administration sent theirs.
“Dems sent over a counteroffer late last night and White House is currently reviewing,” a White House official confirmed to The Daily Wire on background Tuesday afternoon.
The White House sent a letter to Sens. Katie Britt (R-AL) and Susan Collins (R-ME) on Tuesday outlining their own current offer, saying that the administration “will expand the use of body-worn cameras,” “limit civil immigration enforcement activities at certain sensitive locations” with a handful of exceptions, increase oversight of detention facilities, “enforce the use of visible officer identification” and other practices for officers who are not “undercover,” and “adhere to existing law and practice of not deporting any U.S. citizen and will convey current practice of not knowingly detaining a U.S. citizen, except when the person violates a state or federal law that makes the citizen subject to arrest.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
READ: Letter sent by WH to Senate on DHS shutdown.<a href="https://twitter.com/realDailyWire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDailyWire</a>
Trump admin offers to 
-expand body cameras 
-limit civil enforcement at “sensitive locations” 
-increase detention facility oversight 
-“officer identification worn by officers will be clearly displayed.”
And… <a href="https://t.co/6ZUlypxco5">pic.twitter.com/6ZUlypxco5</a>
— Cameron Arcand (@cameron_arcand) <a href="https://twitter.com/cameron_arcand/status/2033992494426534366?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
“This offer is reasonable, it is serious, it is the product of work that has gone on since the shutdown began,” a senior White House official told reporters during an on-background call, saying that the latest offer from Democrats sent late Monday night “does not indicate the seriousness that this moment needs.”
Exact details of the Democrat&#8217;s counteroffer are unknown, but Democrats have publicly said for weeks that they want to see an end to several federal immigration enforcement tactics, including the end of masking for agents, and the end of roving patrols. The Democrats are also demanding the use of judicial warrants to make immigration-related arrests.
The demands and the shutdown came amid backlash to Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota earlier this year, including the shooting of Alex Pretti.
While Democrats have intended for the shutdown to serve as leverage for immigration reforms, ICE and Customs and Border Protection have already been funded primarily through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” last year, which means that the current shutdown has largely impacted other agencies, including TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told reporters on Tuesday that Democrats think the shutdown is a “political winner for them” and that the White House “went above and beyond &#8230; any initial offers that they put out there.”
“I mean, I just, you know, even with respect to body cameras, there was $20 million in the bill, the original bill. There was $100 million in the proposal from the White House, to include audits by the inspector general, you know, and reviews for noncompliance,” he added.
Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) is considered the lead Republican negotiator on the issue for the caucus, but her office told The Daily Wire last week that Democrats have largely been uncooperative in the process.
Meanwhile, travelers are facing long lines at airports across the country as a result of the funding lapse. At least 300 TSA agents have quit, and many others have called out from the job as they are obligated to work without a paycheck. Many Senate Democrats have argued that Republicans are stopping bills that would fund other aspects of the department unrelated to immigration.
“Right now, we could be paying TSA agents, funding FEMA before the next disaster hits, protecting our cyber defenses, and making sure the Coast Guard gets paid. But Republicans said no,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said in a statement last week.
“Democrats have tried—six separate times—to pass simple bills to keep these critical parts of DHS running while negotiations continue. Six times, Republicans came to the floor and blocked them. TSA officers shouldn’t miss paychecks, disaster relief shouldn’t be left hanging, and Americans’ safety shouldn’t be collateral damage in a political standoff Republicans created,” Schumer continued.
The ongoing shutdown, which kicked off in mid-February, comes at a time of transition for DHS, as Secretary Kristi Noem will be leaving her position on March 31, and Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) is President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the department next. When Noem’s exit was announced amid multiple controversies, Schumer said that her removal would not suffice to bring back full funding for DHS.
“The President has fired Kristi Noem—good riddance. But let’s be crystal clear: the problems at DHS go far beyond a personnel change,” Schumer stated on March 5. “Under this administration, Americans have seen devastating violence and reckless ICE actions that have shaken communities across the country. The rot runs deep. If the President wants accountability, he must do more than fire one official — he must end the violence and rein in ICE.”

Senators Speak Following Weekly Policy Luncheons On Capitol Hill

Dems Send 11th-Hour DHS Counteroffer In Shutdown Standoff — How Americans Could Pay Price

Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump announced Monday that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with “early stage” breast cancer.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Wiles plans to begin treatment immediately but will continue working in her role.
“She has decided to take on this challenge, IMMEDIATELY, as opposed to waiting,” Trump wrote, adding that she will work “virtually full time” while undergoing treatment.
“She has a fantastic medical team, and her prognosis is excellent!” he continued.
Trump praised Wiles, one of his closest advisors, for continuing to serve.
“Her Strength and her Commitment to continue doing the job she loves, and does so well, while undergoing treatment, tells you everything you need to know about her,&#8221; Trump wrote. &#8220;Susie, as one of my closest and most important advisors, is tough and deeply committed to serving the American People. She will soon be better than ever!”
The president added that he and first lady Melania Trump are supporting Wiles during the process.
&#8220;Melania and I are with her in every way, and we look forward to working with Susie on the many big and wonderful things that are happening for the benefit of our Country!”
Speaking during a Kennedy Center board meeting at the White House, Trump described the diagnosis as a &#8220;minor difficulty&#8221; and said Wiles would &#8220;be in good shape.&#8221;
Wiles, who is the first woman to serve as the White House chief of staff, attended the meeting and was seated next to Trump.
She was spotted wearing a pink blazer, the color commonly associated with breast cancer awareness, though it was unclear whether the choice was related to the announcement.
Following Trump&#8217;s announcement, she released a statement of her own revealing that she was the diagnosis last week.
&#8220;Nearly one in eight women in the United States will face this diagnosis. Every day, these women continue to raise their families, go to work, and serve their communities with strength and determination. I now join their ranks,&#8221; Wiles stated, according to <a href="https://x.com/edokeefe/status/2033590229475418468?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBS News</a>.
&#8220;I am grateful to have an outstanding team of doctors who detected the cancer early and are guiding my care, and I am encouraged by a strong prognosis. I am also deeply thankful for the support and encouragement of President Trump as I undergo treatment and continue serving in my role as White House Chief of Staff,&#8221; she continued.

Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump Holds Election Night Event In West Palm Beach

White House Chief Of Staff Susie Wiles Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

Susie Wiles

Trump Administration

President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Friday aimed at slashing regulations that have slowed home-building and complicated the lending process as the president zeroes in on his house affordability agenda.
One <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/removing-regulatory-barriers-to-affordable-home-construction/">order</a> seeks to take federal regulatory burdens off of homebuilders, streamline federal permitting for housing developments, and develop regulatory best practices for state and local governments to follow. The other <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/promoting-access-to-mortgage-credit/">order</a> would &#8220;improve the availability and affordability of mortgage credit&#8221; and ease regulations that have especially affected local lenders, such as community banks, according to the White House.
&#8220;It is the policy of my Administration to reduce regulatory barriers to building homes and to steward taxpayer dollars in a manner that promotes housing affordability,&#8221; one of the orders states.
Trump&#8217;s move to address housing affordability comes as the White House focuses on tackling economic issues ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Housing costs remain on the forefront of many Americans&#8217; minds after prices jumped in the years after the COVID pandemic, when construction significantly slowed.
&#8220;The American dream of homeownership depends on a dynamic housing market in which a varied inventory of new homes is built and renovated each year,&#8221; Trump&#8217;s executive order added. &#8220;Layers of unnecessary regulatory barriers, slow permitting processes, and onerous mandates at all levels of government have delayed construction, restricted development, and driven up the costs of new housing. These constraints have made housing less affordable for many Americans.&#8221;
On Thursday, the Senate easily <a href="https://apnews.com/article/affordable-housing-congress-bipartisan-8c15c9600bf0bd40e2420785aa5af20c">passed</a> legislation that would ease regulations and prevent corporations from buying single-family homes. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who sponsored the bill alongside Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), called the bill &#8220;consequential legislation that makes it easier to become a homeowner.&#8221; The Senate bill would also streamline environmental reviews and inspections, which would likely speed up the homebuilding process.
The bill, which passed 89-10 in the Senate, now heads to the House, where it faces an unknown future. Leaders in the House, which passed similar legislation earlier this year, have expressed opposition to some parts of the Senate bill. Even if the House passes the housing bill, it&#8217;s unclear how soon President Trump would sign it. Trump said last week that he would not sign any piece of legislation until the Senate passed the SAVE America Act.
On mortgage rates, the Trump administration believes slashing regulations will allow more lenders to compete in the game and thereby drive down borrowing costs.
The White House said that its action on mortgage aims to &#8220;reduce the regulatory burden on community banks and otherwise facilitate community bank engagement in mortgage activity; foster innovation, growth, and consumer choice in the mortgage market; modernize origination and closing standards to reduce lending costs; remove regulatory distortions to the structure of the mortgage market and to ensure capital and liquidity frameworks subject similar credit and liquidity risks to similar regulation across the system; promote competition among mortgage lenders of all charter types to drive down mortgage rates; and strengthen housing-finance liquidity.&#8221;
Trump also continues to pressure Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to further lower the interest rate, which has dropped to the 3.50%-3.75% range. The Federal Reserve is set to meet next week to decide whether to move the interest rate or keep it steady.
&#8220;Where is the Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome &#8216;Too Late&#8217; Powell, today? He should be dropping Interest Rates, IMMEDIATELY, not waiting for the next meeting,&#8221; Trump said on Thursday.

Donald Trump

Trump Takes Step To Make It Easier For Americans To Buy A Home

Executive

federal regulation

Housing

Hollywood is great at keeping secrets. 
Ellen DeGeneres built a career on a relentlessly nice persona that belied her behind-the-scenes cruelty. Harvey Weinstein’s Midas touch distracted us from his predatory encounters with starlets. And Sean “Diddy” Combs turned out to be more than a music mogul — he allegedly presided over a garish, sex-obsessed ring.
The new Hollywood Blacklist, by comparison, is out in the open. Conservative artists, beware. Sharing your point of view can cost you. Dearly.
Yet very few industry types will admit or decry it. And we’re seeing even more evidence of it.
<div id="attachment_1059531" style="width: 842px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1059531" class="size-large wp-image-1059531" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-854869502-832x576.jpg" alt="NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 27: Cheryl Hines and Larry David attend the &quot;Curb Your Enthusiasm&quot; season 9 premiere at SVA Theater on September 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)" width="832" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-854869502-832x576.jpg 832w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-854869502-300x208.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-854869502-768x532.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-854869502.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 832px) 100vw, 832px" />Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images</div>
Cheryl Hines has been working nonstop for decades, even if we all know her best as Larry’s exasperated wife (then ex-wife) on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
But a funny thing happened to Hines on the way to her husband Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.&#8217;s endorsement of Donald Trump.
The roles dried up.
The in-demand comic actress hasn’t had a new gig since “Curb” wrapped two years ago. Is she turning work down? Or did her phone stop ringing? What could have changed?
Hines has been polite on the subject in a barrage of interviews, suggesting her Hollywood friendships have strained under that political weight. She also isn’t a part of Larry David’s upcoming HBO comedy series, an untitled satire co-produced by the Obamas.
The Daily Mail added that the Obamas <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15000917/Cheryl-Hines-Larry-David-new-HBO-barack-michelle-obama.html">won’t allow Hines</a> to be part of the show.
She even got <a href="https://x.com/bradleywhitford/status/1827444691316732393?lang=en">called out</a> by Emmy winner Bradley Whitford on social media for her political ties.
<blockquote>…way to stay silent while your lunatic husband throws his support behind the adjudicated rapist who brags about stripping women of their fundamental rights. Gutsy. Great example for the kids. Profile in courage.</blockquote>
She also may have lost a long-term friendship with former podcast partner Tig Notaro. The two <a href="https://people.com/tig-notaro-reflects-on-strange-friendship-fallout-from-cheryl-hines-over-rfk-jr-trump-ties-11923515">hosted “Tig and Cheryl: True Story”</a> for three years before ending the show in May of 2023. Notaro helped end the show due to Hines’ husband’s political aspirations, though it’s unclear why that element had to be a show stopper.
<div id="attachment_1059545" style="width: 825px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1059545" class="size-large wp-image-1059545" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/MixCollage-13-Mar-2026-01-23-PM-8640-815x576.jpg" alt="PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 31: Cheryl Hines attends the Third Annual &quot;Starry Starry Night Gala&quot; at Chaparral Country Club on January 31, 2026 in Palm Desert, California. (Photo by David Crotty/Getty Images)BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 07: Tig Notaro attends the 62nd Cinema Audio Society Awards on March 07, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Lizeth Ramirez/Getty Images)" width="815" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/MixCollage-13-Mar-2026-01-23-PM-8640-815x576.jpg 815w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/MixCollage-13-Mar-2026-01-23-PM-8640-300x212.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/MixCollage-13-Mar-2026-01-23-PM-8640-768x543.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/MixCollage-13-Mar-2026-01-23-PM-8640-1536x1086.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/MixCollage-13-Mar-2026-01-23-PM-8640-2048x1448.jpg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px" />Hines: Photo by David Crotty. Notaro: Photo by Lizeth Ramirez</div>
Notaro suggests politics didn’t end their friendship, although it clearly forced her to quit the podcast.
<blockquote>I realized one day that she doesn’t ever reach out to me anymore. She responds to me, but she doesn’t reach out to me. I had to kind of shake myself out of denial that, ‘Oh, she’s gone,’ and, ‘OK, I need to let this go. I need to let it go.’</blockquote>
Others in Hollywood likely did just that to Hines. The Hollywood Reporter even suggested that would <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/cheryl-hines-rfk-jr-drop-presidential-race-trump-1235981992/">happen due to her political ties</a>. The actress has been on the Left for some time, for what it’s worth, but she’s being judged based on her husband’s views.
Dennis Quaid has defied the new Hollywood Blacklist. For now.
The 71-year-old screen legend stays busy, including a supporting turn in the new Netflix action romp “War Machine.” He even starred as the title character in 2024’s “Reagan” and admitted to being a President Donald Trump supporter during the film’s publicity push.
<div id="attachment_1059553" style="width: 875px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1059553" class="size-large wp-image-1059553" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263942335-865x576.jpg" alt="CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 27: Actor Dennis Quaid (R) joins U.S. President Donald Trump as he speaks at the Port of Corpus Christi on February 27, 2026 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Trump visited Texas to deliver remarks on affordability and economic issues less than a week before the state's midterm primary elections on March 3rd. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)" width="865" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263942335-865x576.jpg 865w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263942335-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263942335-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263942335.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 865px) 100vw, 865px" />Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images</div>
Still, the work keeps on coming. That’s more common with established, Right-leaning actors like Tim Allen, Kelsey Grammer, and Jon Voight. But Quaid’s political leanings, which he describes as more independent than doctrinaire conservative, still found him singled out by a peer.
A peer who recently joined him on screen.
Nick Offerman and Quaid worked together on last year’s “Sovereign,” the story of an anti-government zealot (Offerman) who pushes his conspiracy theories too far.
Offerman didn’t share a negative word about his time on the set with Quaid on the “Lovett or Leave It” podcast with former Obama speechwriter Jon Lovett. Instead, he insulted the actor <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg2smuJfxN8&amp;t=1s">for thinking the “wrong” way</a>.
“Right after we finished the movie, he suddenly came out with a gospel country record and went on Tucker Carlson and f***ing [Sean] Hannity to play his Trump gospel songs,” Offerman said. 
“What? He’s a hero of my life. I’ve looked up to him. He’s a great actor.”
<div id="attachment_1059591" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1059591" class="size-large wp-image-1059591" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2219737581-864x576.jpg" alt="SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 12: Nick Offerman speaks during a press conference at Pier One Sydney Harbour on June 12, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. Offerman and Mullally will take the stage for, Unscripted and Unfiltered, to close out Vivid Sydney 2025. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2219737581-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2219737581-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2219737581-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2219737581.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Brendon Thorne/Getty Images</div>
Later, the “Parks &amp; Recreation” alum doubled down on both Dennis and brother Randy Quaid. The latter worked in Hollywood for years, but a <a href="https://abcnews.com/Entertainment/randy-quaid-wife-evi-hollywood-refugees-exclusive-interview/story?id=12020421">series of bizarre incidents</a> coaxed his exit from the industry.
“[Randy Quaid] was very crazy, and he went away, but Dennis kept it under wraps until last year,” he continued. “But he’s now gone.”
The Blacklist-style bigotry isn’t relegated to the film industry. Hip hop superstar Nicki Minaj didn’t don a red MAGA hat during President Trump’s first term, but in recent months, she noticed how the Republican leader <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/a-deep-sense-of-gratitude-nicki-minaj-praises-trump-for-action-on-persecuted-christians">supported Christians being persecuted in Nigeria</a>.
<div id="attachment_1059621" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1059621" class="size-large wp-image-1059621" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2258679012-864x576.jpg" alt="WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: Musician Nicki Minaj (L) joins U.S. President Donald Trump on stage as he delivers remarks during the Treasury Department's Trump Accounts Summit at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on January 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. &quot;Trump Accounts&quot; are a portion of recently passed tax and spending legislation where the federal government will deposit $1,000 into investment accounts for every child born between 2025 and 2028 once parents sign their children up while filing their income taxes.  (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2258679012-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2258679012-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2258679012-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2258679012.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Win McNamee/Getty Images</div>
That resonated with her, and she eventually threw her celebrity cache behind the unorthodox leader. Within weeks, she became the comic target of Grammy host Trevor Noah at the gala’s annual soiree.
<blockquote>Nicki Minaj is not here…She’s still at the White House with Donald Trump, discussing very important issues.</blockquote>
He then broke out his Trump impression as the Tony crowd chortled.
<blockquote>Actually Nicki, I have the biggest ass! Everybody’s saying it. I know they say it’s you, but it’s me. WAP, WAP, WAP. Look at it, baby.</blockquote>
Her crime? Being an independent thinker, and no progressive star in Hollywood or the music industry had her back.
And actress Katherine Heigl could be next. The once-in-demand star of “Grey’s Anatomy” appeared in public earlier this month to support the Big Dog Ranch Rescue gala at Mar-A-Lago, Trump’s private retreat.
<div id="attachment_1058339" style="width: 973px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1058339" class="size-large wp-image-1058339" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Katherine-Heigl-963x576.jpg" alt="Katherine Heigl" width="963" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Katherine-Heigl-963x576.jpg 963w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Katherine-Heigl-300x180.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Katherine-Heigl-768x460.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/Katherine-Heigl.jpg 1200w" sizes=" (max-width: 963px) 100vw, 963px" />Manny Hernandez/Getty Images</div>
She even brought her mom to the red carpet gala.
Heigl had to make a public statement after appearing at the apolitical event, defending her passion for worthy causes by saying, <a href="https://pagesix.com/2026/03/11/celebrity-news/katherine-heigl-hits-back-at-fans-politicizing-her-attendance-at-mar-a-lago-rescue-event/">“animals don’t vote.”</a> Could that one appearance impact her chances at a Hollywood comeback?
Ask Offerman.
And this is the stuff we see in public, not the behind-the-scenes cancellations and attacks. It’s likely far worse there.
The unofficial conservative blacklist may have weakened in recent months, with high-profile stars like Zachary Levi and Sylvester Stallone supporting Trump without overt blowback.
In some ways the bigotry against Right-leaning artists is as strong as ever.
* * *
Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic, and editor of <a href="https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HollywoodInToto.com</a>. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at <a href="https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HollywoodInToto.com</a>.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

President Trump Speaks Port Of Corpus Christi In Texas

Hollywood Still Blacklists Conservatives — Now They Don’t Even Hide It

Cancel Culture

Cheryl Hines

Comedy

Conservatives

Dennis Quaid

Entertainment

Hollywood

Nicki Minaj

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Americans on Tuesday that oil and gas prices would soon come back down, and President Donald Trump&#8217;s massive military operation in Iran would result in lower gas prices in the &#8220;long-term.&#8221;
During a White House press briefing, Leavitt urged Americans to stay patient after gas prices rose to their highest national average in four years. Leavitt said oil and gas prices could drop &#8220;rapidly&#8221; after the U.S. military achieves its objectives in &#8220;Operation Epic Fury.&#8221;
&#8220;The recent increase in oil and gas prices is temporary,&#8221; she said. &#8220;And this operation will result in lower gas prices in the long-term.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NEW: <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a>: &#8220;Rest assured to the American people: the recent increase in oil and gas prices is temporary.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/KeF8ele6HE">pic.twitter.com/KeF8ele6HE</a>
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) <a href="https://twitter.com/KassyAkiva/status/2031437515320598782?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Brent crude, the international benchmark price point for oil, skyrocketed to nearly $120 per barrel earlier this week, but then plummeted to under $90 after President Trump said on Monday that the war in Iran was &#8220;very far ahead of schedule.&#8221; As of Tuesday afternoon, Brent crude remained just below $90 per barrel, which is still much higher than before the United States and Israel began their joint operation targeting Iran on February 28.
The ongoing war in Iran has squeezed oil flow coming through the Strait of Hormuz, which sits between Iran and the United Arab Emirates and is the only passage for tankers leaving the Persian Gulf. Around 20% of the world&#8217;s oil is transported through the Strait of Hormuz, but that oil flow came to a near complete halt last week. As of Monday, oil tankers again began traversing the strait, with oil tanker traffic ticking up to 20% of its normal level, according to analysis from Goldman Sachs.
Trump has floated taking control of the strait. The White House is also considering using U.S. ships to escort oil tankers.
&#8220;That’s an option the president has said he will absolutely utilize if and when necessary at the appropriate time,” Leavitt said on Tuesday.
The president warned Iran on Monday, saying, &#8220;If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far.&#8221;
U.S. intelligence suggests that Iran could be preparing to drop mines in the Strait of Hormuz, CBS News <a href="https://x.com/JenniferJJacobs/status/2031433322555937181">reported</a>. Such a move could further threaten oil tanker traffic and stall oil flow to the world. If tankers are prevented from passing through the Strait of Hormuz for more than two weeks, oil could reach $150 per barrel, some experts warned, according to the Associated Press. Saudi Arabia&#8217;s state-run oil company also warned of &#8220;catastrophic consequences&#8221; for global oil markets if the important shipping lane does not reopen soon.

Gas Prices

White House Reassures Americans About Oil Prices, Hints At ‘Long-Term’ Relief At The Pump

Crude Oil

Global Politics

Iran

Israel

Karoline Leavitt

U.S. Military

World

After one week of military action in Iran, directed by President Donald Trump and undertaken alongside Israel, the White House has released a series of hype videos designed to stir up pride and confidence in the United States military.
While U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has released a number of videos showing American assets successfully striking specific targets, The White House took clips from those and spliced in pop culture references — everything from movie clips to professional sports plays — to drive the point home.
Some of the hype videos just featured an added soundtrack dubbed over videos of American missiles striking Iranian targets.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
No pause. No hesitation. 💥 <a href="https://t.co/TTjS98VKAb">pic.twitter.com/TTjS98VKAb</a>
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2029570036541649405?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Another showed several large explosions, cutting after each one to a clip of Spongebob Squarepants saying, &#8220;You wanna see me do it again?&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Will not stop until the objectives are met.
Unrelenting. Unapologetic. 🔁 <a href="https://t.co/iM9fqjn1zc">pic.twitter.com/iM9fqjn1zc</a>
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2029657893155311927?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
A montage of movie clips followed — with a caption reading, &#8220;JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY&#8221; — featuring everything from &#8220;Braveheart&#8221; and &#8220;Tropic Thunder&#8221; to &#8220;Deadpool&#8221; and &#8220;Top Gun.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY. 🇺🇸🔥 <a href="https://t.co/0502N6a3rL">pic.twitter.com/0502N6a3rL</a>
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2029741548791853331?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The popular video game &#8220;Grand Theft Auto&#8221; made an appearance in one video that showed a male character walking down an alley followed by an explosion. The word &#8220;wasted&#8221; appeared on the screen in red as the target was obliterated.
&#8220;OPERATION EPIC FURY • Destroy Iran’s missile arsenal.• Destroy their navy.• Ensure they NEVER get a nuclear weapon. Locked in,&#8221; the caption read.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
OPERATION EPIC FURY
• Destroy Iran’s missile arsenal. 
• Destroy their navy. 
• Ensure they NEVER get a nuclear weapon.
Locked in. <a href="https://t.co/ika3MMJmZT">pic.twitter.com/ika3MMJmZT</a>
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2029953667600646655?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Pure American dominance&#8221; was the caption on a video featuring a series of Major League Baseball players swinging away — and then cutting to Iranian targets being blown sky high.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Pure American dominance. 💥🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/nvgWLar2ak">pic.twitter.com/nvgWLar2ak</a>
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2030015671820509202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The most recent video featured clips of NFL players getting hit, over and over again, cutting away at the moment of impact to show explosion after explosion.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Touchdown <a href="https://t.co/aDNdqBdRzG">pic.twitter.com/aDNdqBdRzG</a>
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2030051395294941427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Not everyone enjoyed the videos, however. CNN anchor Jake Tapper complained about them on Friday, saying that the White House had been &#8220;releasing what we will charitably call hype videos about their war.&#8221; After sharing the video, he added, &#8220;Are you not amused? That&#8217;s one of the &#8216;Grand Theft Auto&#8217; video games spliced in between footage of U.S. strikes.&#8221;
Tapper shared a second video from earlier in the week that was made in similar fashion but had used clips from the &#8220;Call of Duty&#8221; game.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung shared Tapper&#8217;s segment, adding the caption, &#8220;Credit where credit is due. Thank you to @CNN for covering all of our banger videos.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Credit where credit is due. Thank you to <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNN</a> for covering all of our banger videos. <a href="https://t.co/OAnMR3yrjA">pic.twitter.com/OAnMR3yrjA</a>
— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) <a href="https://twitter.com/StevenCheung47/status/2030050037934252125?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Actor Ben Stiller also <a href="https://x.com/BenStiller/status/2029989426948870182">complained</a> about the videos, objecting specifically to the few seconds from his film &#8220;Tropic Thunder&#8221; that appeared in one of the White House videos. &#8220;Hey White House, please remove the Tropic Thunder clip. We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine. War is not a movie.&#8221;
Stephen L. Miller pushed back on Stiller, saying, &#8220;I mean everything aside, Tropic Thunder&#8217;s main plot is that war is a movie.&#8221;

Screenshot/The White House

The White House Hype Videos On Strikes In Iran Are Unlike Anything You’ve Ever Seen

The White House Hype Videos On Its War In Iran Are Unlike Anything You've Ever Seen

Military

WASHINGTON—Iran was using negotiations with the United States to stall for time as it stockpiled materials needed to reach weapons-grade enrichment level, senior administration officials revealed this week. Once President Donald Trump was made aware of the deception, he decided Iran was directly threatening the United States and launched Operation Epic Fury.
The president shared Tuesday that the negotiations made him believe Iran was going to attack first. &#8220;I felt strongly about that,&#8221; he emphasized. Asked whether Israel forced the hand of the United States, he responded, &#8220;No, I might have forced their hand. We were having negotiations with these lunatics, and it was my opinion that they were going to attack first.&#8221;
The president&#8217;s decision stemmed at least in part from Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner&#8217;s time at the table with Iranian negotiators, senior administration officials said on a call with reporters on Tuesday afternoon. Iranian negotiators, during several rounds of meetings, came to the Trump team with an agreement that allegedly addressed the needs of the Iranian people over the next decade.
Because the agreement was needs-based, they asked only for enrichment they might need over the next decade, tying the agreement to a program they have to build out more nuclear facilities. Trump&#8217;s negotiators asked if they could take the agreement back to the United States so they could have other nuclear experts from the CIA, War Department, and State Department weigh in. They were refused.
That was a tell, one senior administration official shared — one of many throughout the exchange.
<div id="attachment_1053081" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-trumps-negotiators-realized-iran-was-lying-to-stall-for-time/explosions-heard-in-tehran-as-new-israeli-airstrikes-hit-iranian-capital" target="_blank" rel="attachment noopener wp-att-1053081"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1053081" class="wp-image-1053081 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263662126-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263662126-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263662126-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263662126-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2263662126.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>Smoke rises from the area after it was targeted in attacks as a series of explosions are heard in Tehran, Iran on March 01, 2026.  (Photo by Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)</div>
After reading through the agreement, Witkoff and Kushner were dismayed that the Iranians asked to enrich five times more uranium than was allowed under the Iran nuclear deal. They also discovered a chart at the end of the agreement, on the back of the seventh page, that attested to the amount of enrichment they would need for each new project that they were planning.
Importantly, it centered on the Tehran Research Reactor.
As its name suggests, this reactor was purportedly meant for civilian research, unlike the industrial nuclear reactors destroyed in Operation Midnight Hammer.
&#8220;Everybody all along out there has been under the impression that that&#8217;s what it&#8217;s been doing,&#8221; one senior administration official shared.
Since Operation Midnight Hammer, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not been able to make inspections in Iran, which senior administration officials said was yet another tell that the Iranians were being deceptive.
Witkoff and Kushner were in conversations with the IAEA about the Iranians&#8217; agreement, and, unfortunately for Iran, the IAEA knew how much existing fuel Iran had at the Tehran Research Reactor. That number was &#8220;roughly seven to eight years of what they need to burn on an annual basis,&#8221; a senior administration official shared.
Witkoff and Kushner did some fast math. They realized that the research reactor had not been making any radioisotopes, and that the seven to eight year supply of fuel that Iran had been retaining there was &#8220;being stockpiled along with all the other stockpiling that had been done at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.&#8221;
&#8220;So the claim that they were using a research reactor to do good for the Iranian people was a complete and false pretense,&#8221; a senior administration official shared.
The Trump negotiators recognized that the Iranians are incredibly clever, doing everything internally in Iran to bring that enrichment process to fruition. If the United States had allowed them to continue their work for a year, the administration officials said, Iran could have gone from having 460 kg of weapons-grade material to 1,500 kg of it.
About 42 kg of 90% enriched uranium is required to make one nuclear warhead, according to the IAEA, and Iran had material enough for 11 bombs at the beginning of these negotiations.
Within a short period of time, the senior administration official said, they could have had 1,500 kg of weapons-grade material, meaning Iran would have had not just 11 bombs, but up to 50 bombs.
&#8220;That is literally the place that we were sailing into,&#8221; the official said.
<div id="attachment_1053075" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/how-trumps-negotiators-realized-iran-was-lying-to-stall-for-time/president-trump-convenes-board-of-peaces-inaugural-meeting" target="_blank" rel="attachment noopener wp-att-1053075"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1053075" class="wp-image-1053075 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2262492660-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2262492660-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2262492660-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2262492660-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/03/GettyImages-2262492660.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)</div>
The Iranians were claiming they need research reactors that start at a 20% enrichment rate, saving them roughly two months before they get to weapons grade at 90%, the officials shared, calling this a &#8220;complete lie.&#8221; Witkoff and Kushner figured this all out at the table, and the IAEA &#8220;supported and attested&#8221; to their findings that Iran was never enriching at TRR for civil purposes.
&#8220;They had never made isotopes there,&#8221; explained one administration official. &#8220;They had done a couple of medical tests to sort of disguise what they were really doing, and in reality, what they were doing was they were stockpiling.&#8221;
There were many other things that made Kushner and Witkoff realize the Iranians were being deceptive, but when they discovered what Iran was really doing at the Tehran Research Reactor, above everything else, it was &#8220;very, very clear&#8221; what was really going on. Iran was telling the world they were developing isotopes for medicinal purposes and &#8220;all the while not using any of it for medicinal purposes, in fact, stockpiling for some other use.&#8221;
&#8220;The only other use it could be would be to bring it towards a weapons-grade enrichment level,&#8221; said an administration official.
Witkoff and Kushner went into the meetings determined to assess for the president whether they could make a deal on his primary objectives, and if they could, to find out how long it would take to get that deal done, whether Iran would comply with the deal, and whether it was enforceable.
But clearly, all along, they were trying to hide their nuclear enrichment program underground, one senior administration official said, as well as building another one that doesn&#8217;t have air shafts attached to it — since Operation Midnight Hammer&#8217;s bunker-busting bombs went through the air shafts in order to destroy the nuclear facilities.
Witkoff and Kushner had studied the Iranians and their previous efforts to negotiate with the United States, and they knew ahead of time that the Iranians were adept at making short-term deals to buy time. In this case, the senior administration officials said, it appears that the Iranians were hoping to stall until Trump was no longer president, and the United States might be less observant about how Iran was stockpiling or what deals Iran was able to swing.
Given that the United States was amassing such a powerful force outside Iran, officials were surprised that Iranian officials would not cooperate.
&#8220;We really thought that they would show real movement towards creating a real deal,&#8221; one administration official said. &#8220;All we got were games and tricks and denials.&#8221;
In one telling anecdote, Trump&#8217;s negotiators reminded Iran that their facilities needed to be above ground.
&#8220;Well then it could be bombed!&#8221; the Iranian negotiators reportedly said, to which team Trump told them: &#8220;If there&#8217;s nothing nefarious being done there, then you shouldn&#8217;t be worried about a bomb.&#8221;
&#8220;I think now we&#8217;re seeing with their attacks all over the region, the dangers that they pose and the capabilities that they&#8217;ve created over time,&#8221; a senior administration official shared. &#8220;And that really is what we concluded from the negotiations.&#8221;

TOPSHOT-US-POLITICS-TRUMP

How Trump’s Negotiators Realized Iran Was Lying To Stall For Time

Jared Kushner

Steve Witkoff

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt put a quick stop to The Independent&#8217;s Andrew Feinberg, who tried to claim that the Trump administration had not properly outlined the imminent threat posed by the Iranian regime.
Leavitt rejected &#8220;the premise of the question&#8221; out of hand, then laid out a list of Trump administration officials who had, in fact, made the case for Iran posing an imminent and ongoing threat to the United States and to American interests.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a>: &#8220;<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> does not make these decisions in a vacuum. This decision to launch this operation was based on a cumulative effect of various direct threats that Iran posed to the United States of America.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/hJtO1Igz5S">pic.twitter.com/hJtO1Igz5S</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/2029271931598352667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;At the top of the briefing, you listed a long list of grievances against the Iranian government going back to the takeover of the embassy in &#8217;79,&#8221; Feinberg began, listing a couple of examples. &#8220;But no one in this administration has laid out the imminent threat that was supposed to be taken care of by this &#8230; Why is it that you can&#8217;t say what the imminent threat against the U.S. was that required us to launch this?&#8221;
&#8220;I completely reject the premise of your question,&#8221; Leavitt replied. &#8220;You have had the President of the United States, the Secretary of War, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the Vice President of the United States, the Secretary of State, and now I am out here today to explain to you exactly what led the president to make the decision to launch Operation Epic Fury.&#8221;
But Leavitt didn&#8217;t stop there. Instead, she went on to lay out, in more detail, some of the actions taken by the Iranian regime that had spurred President Trump to action, from their previous and ongoing support of terror proxies to their persistent attempts to create nuclear weapons that could eventually threaten the American people even at home.
&#8220;President Trump does not make these decisions in a vacuum. This decision to launch this operation was based on a cumulative effect of various direct threats that Iran posed to the United States of America, and the president’s feeling based on the fact that Iran does pose an imminent and direct threat to the United States of America,&#8221; she continued.
The press secretary took her explanation a step further, noting that Trump had only resorted to military action when it was abundantly clear that negotiations were going nowhere — and once he&#8217;d determined that Iran was likely to take action against the United States, he chose to strike first and prevent it from happening.
&#8220;The president found that through these extensive, exhaustive, failed negotiations with Iran that they were hell-bent on death and destruction,&#8221; she said. &#8220;So again, the president was not going to be just another president on a very long list who sat back, and stood by, and passed the buck of this direct threat to the next administration &#8230; Again, these decisions are not made in a vacuum. They are made by the president’s feeling that Iran was going to strike the United States and our assets in the region, and he was not going to sit back and watch that happen. The determination was made that the president was going to strike first alongside Israel, and that has obviously been proven to be the right decision and an effective one at that.&#8221;

Media Briefing Held By White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

Leavitt Rejects Premise Of ‘Imminent Threat’ Question In Fiery Defense Of Iran Strike

Leavitt Lets Reporter Have It For Questioning Iran Rationale: 'I Completely Reject The Premise'

Media

Operation Epic Fury

WASHINGTON—Erika Kirk will attend the State of the Union on Tuesday evening as a special guest of President Donald Trump, The Daily Wire can first report.
Kirk will be present in the audience as the president delivers an address that will mention both Erika Kirk and her late husband, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Kirk&#8217;s assassination rocked the world, prompting what many recognized as a spiritual awakening throughout the United States. During his remarks, Trump will highlight the “tremendous revival of faith, Christianity, and belief in God in our country&#8221; since Kirk&#8217;s death, a White House official shared.
The president will also affirm that America is &#8220;one nation under God,&#8221; and, referencing the wave of political violence that has shocked Americans over the last few years, Trump will call on all members of Congress to &#8220;firmly reject political violence against our fellow citizens.&#8221;
Charlie Kirk left behind his wife and two young children, a daughter and a son. Erika Kirk has since taken over Turning Point USA, as her husband wished, urging Americans across the nation to live as her husband encouraged and to draw closer to Jesus Christ.
During a massive memorial service for Charlie Kirk in September, top members of the Trump administration went to Arizona to eulogize their departed friend and to stand with his family. Both the president and Vice President JD Vance spoke at the service, where Trump called Erika Kirk&#8217;s response to the tragedy both &#8220;beautiful&#8221; and &#8220;strong.&#8221;
Erika Kirk, as she spoke about her husband to the estimated 100,000 attendees, emotionally forgave her husband&#8217;s killer.
“That young man, that young man,” she said. “On the cross, our savior said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know, from the Gospel, is love and always love.”
A month later, Trump had Erika Kirk at the White House again to posthumously award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Since her husband&#8217;s death she has continued to represent TPUSA, her husband, and their political and religious values on the world stage, despite aggressive smear campaigns from online commentators. She has been repeatedly distinguished by the Trump administration, including by the president, Vice President JD Vance, and Second Lady Usha Vance.
&#8220;President Trump has been a source of strength for Erika, constantly checking in with her over the last five months, and Erika is incredibly honored to be invited by the president to attend tonight&#8217;s State of the Union,&#8221; Turning Point USA spokesman Matt Shupe told The Daily Wire. &#8220;Erika has been thrust into an enormously important role by fate and tragedy and because Charlie chose her should the horrible moment ever come, and she has risen to the occasion with grace, dignity, and a lot of hard work.&#8221;
As evidence of Erika Kirk&#8217;s hard work, Shupe pointed to the explosive growth that TPUSA has experienced in the aftermath of the assassination, to TPUSA&#8217;s &#8220;All-American Halftime show&#8221; that garnered over 50 million viewers, and the &#8220;most ambitious spring and summer tour season in TPUSA&#8217;s history&#8221; ahead of them.
&#8220;Her leadership has been incredible to witness,&#8221; he said. &#8220;No one should ever be asked to do what she has done under the circumstances, but she is an inspiration to the whole TPUSA family, the nation, and to young people everywhere.&#8221;
<div id="attachment_1048619" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/erika-kirk-to-attend-state-of-the-union-as-president-trumps-guest/president-trump-hosts-medal-of-freedom-ceremony-at-the-white-house-for-charlie-kirk-2" rel="attachment wp-att-1048619"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1048619" class="wp-image-1048619 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2241065744-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2241065744-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2241065744-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2241065744-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2241065744.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>President Donald Trump posthumously awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk as he presents the Medal to his wife Erika Kirk. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)</div>
A gunman identified by authorities as Tyler Robinson has been charged with shooting Kirk in the neck and killing him on September 10, 2025, just as Kirk was answering questions on transgender shooters. Robinson lived with his “transgender partner,” a man named Lance Twiggs, who is attempting to transition to a transgender female.
Trump&#8217;s State of the Union address will focus on ending the political violence that has plagued the country in recent years.
That attack came only weeks after trans-identifying shooter Robin Westman killed Catholic schoolchildren in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a church shooting. And that attack came just two years after another in which a trans-identifying killer targeted Christian school children in Nashville.
Earlier this month, another <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/youtube-confirms-trans-themed-page-is-linked-to-canada-mass-shooting-suspect?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Canada+School+Attacker+Was+Trans+Identifying+Man%2C+Police+Confirm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">transgender-identifying attacker</a> in Canada opened fire on a rural school in British Columbia, killing nine and injuring dozens, and only last week, yet another <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/transgender-identifying-man-opens-fire-at-rhode-island-hockey-game-killing-two">man who identifies as a woman</a> opened fire at a high school hockey game in Rhode Island.
These instances of transgender violence do not include the politically motivated attacks on the president himself.
Ahead of the 2024 election season, a gunman attempted to kill President Trump as he spoke in Butler, Pennsylvania, narrowly missing the president&#8217;s head and grazing his ear with a bullet. Soon afterward, authorities arrested another gunman in Florida attempting to kill the president at his golf course. And on Sunday, the Secret Service <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/armed-intruder-with-shotgun-sparks-deadly-secret-service-response-at-mar-a-lago">shot and killed</a> a man who entered Mar-a-Lago carrying a gun after breaking through the security perimeter.
&#8220;In the middle of the night while most Americans were asleep, the United States Secret Service acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person, armed with a gun and a gas canister, who intruded President Trump’s home,&#8221; White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Sunday.
&#8220;Federal law enforcement are working 24/7 to keep our country safe and protect all Americans,&#8221; she added, hitting at Democrats for shutting down the Department of Homeland Security. &#8220;It’s shameful and reckless that Democrats have chosen to shut down their Department.&#8221;
On Monday, the president addressed the Mar-A-Lago shooting, saying at an event at the White House: “I don’t know how long I’ll be around. Got a lot of people gunning for me.”
“You know, if you read about all these crazy shooters, they don’t go after non-consequential presidents,” he added jokingly, referring to former presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy. “So maybe I want to be a little less consequential? Can we hold it back a little bit, please? Can this be a normal presidency for a little while?”

Memorial Service Held For Slain Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk At State Farm Stadium

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Charlie Kirk

Erika Kirk

State of the Union

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The White House says “the parties are pretty far apart” on reaching a deal to end the lapse in funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
DHS is enduring a shutdown confined to its own department, which started on Friday after a continuing resolution expired. The debate moving forward centers on federal immigration enforcement tactics, even though ICE is still largely funded through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed by President Donald Trump last year.
“In terms of the written offer that was transmitted from the Democrats, the parties are still pretty far apart. The administration remains interested in good-faith conversations to end the Democrat shutdown before more Americans feel the impacts,” a White House official told The Daily Wire in a statement on background Tuesday.
“But the administration also remains committed to carrying out the President’s promise to enforce federal immigration law,” the official added.
Not only are Democrats and Republicans not seeing eye to eye on how to move forward, Congress is on recess this week, which means that agencies like TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard will be without funding for the time being – meaning those essential workers are at risk of going without a paycheck even if they show up to work.
The exact details of the offers sent between Democrats and the White House have been largely private, as Democratic leadership went public with their original list of requests earlier this month, ranging from using judicial warrants for arrests to no longer permitting officers to wear masks while conducting operations.
“This is why there must be a full, independent investigation of every incident that ICE has been involved in,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) posted to X on Friday in response to a Politico article headlined, “ICE says federal agents appear to have lied about confrontation that led to shooting.”
“DHS and this administration cannot be trusted to carry out investigations on their own. And it’s why Democrats are fighting to rein in ICE,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) blasted Democrats on the Senate floor on Friday, as a second continuing resolution was rejected to keep immigration talks going without risking the department’s funding.
“We want to continue this conversation, but yet you’re penalizing a TSA agent. A TSA agent is gonna go without a paycheck. Why? So that you can posture politically. I’m over it. Everybody on that side of the aisle knows that ICE and CBP will continue to be funded,” the Republican said, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/homeland-security-shutdown-likely-as-schumer-accuses-trump-admin-of-thuggery?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Homeland+Security+Shutdown+Likely+As+Schumer+Accuses+Trump+Admin+Of+%E2%80%98Thuggery%E2%80%99" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> reported.
In the fall, the government faced a 43-day shutdown that resulted in a high number of TSA agents calling out, as they were working without pay.
“This one’s very different than the first. First, air traffic controllers are paid. They’ve been funded through the first appropriations bill a couple of weeks ago. That was the big linchpin concern for us in the first one,” President and CEO of Airlines for America, Chris Sununu, told <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/could-the-homeland-security-shutdown-impact-your-travel-plans?author=Cameron+Arcand&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Could+The+Homeland+Security+Shutdown+Impact+Your+Travel+Plans%3F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Wire</a> last week.
There was a second brief government shutdown earlier this month that was averted as part of a deal to split DHS funding from the rest of the spending package, as the rest of the federal government except for DHS remains fully funded through the end of the fiscal year in September.

Senators Meet For Their Weekly Policy Luncheons

Homeland Security Shutdown Continues As ‘Parties Are Pretty Far Apart’ On Deal

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