Good Monday evening. In this edition: U.S. allies rebuff Trump's call to help reopen Strait of Hormuz.
Plus, vaccines, FCC, Iran sanctions, Dunn, Wiles and DHS funding.
Iran War
President Trump chided America's allies that have rebuffed his calls to help the U.S. reopen the Strait of Hormuz, arguing they not only have more at stake but also owe the U.S. for years of protection.
"Some are countries that we've helped for many, many years. We've protected them from horrible outside sources, and they weren't that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm matters to me."
The president said "numerous" countries have agreed to help but declined to name them while arguing that NATO countries "should be jumping to help us."
"We would rather not get involved, sir," he said in a mocking voice, referring to unspecified conversations with world leaders.
"I've been a big critic of all of the protecting of countries because I know that we'll protect them, and if ever needed, if we ever needed help, they won't be there for us. I've just known that for a long period of time."
Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz — the critical waterway through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes — has virtually dried up since the U.S. and Israel began operations against Iran late last month.
"I'm demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their own territory," President Trump said aboard Air Force One on Sunday night. "Whether we get support or not, I can say this, and I said it to them: We will remember."
The president specifically called on NATO countries to offer support, saying the U.S. is "always there" for the alliance, pointing to the U.S. "helping them with Ukraine" even though "it doesn't affect us."
In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, the president warned a lack of help "will be very bad for the future of NATO."
America's allies — who were minimally consulted before the war began and who remain frustrated by the president's tariffs, sharp criticisms and territorial threats — have largely rebuffed the calls for help.
Germany, Japan, Italy and Australia have ruled out helping, while others like the U.K., France and South Korea remain noncommittal.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said his country lacks a mandate to get involved, saying the war was not a matter for NATO to address.
"The United States of America and Israel did not consult us prior to this war either," he added.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed not to let his country be "drawn into the wider war" and said he was focused on protecting "the British interest, no matter the pressure."
"We're working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring together a viable, collective plan that can restore the freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible and ease economic impact."
President Trump said he ultimately expects French President Emmanuel Macron to help but criticized the tepid response he received from Prime Minister Starmer, which he said "surprised" him.
"I was not happy with the U.K. I think they'll be involved, yeah, maybe, but they should be involved enthusiastically," he said.
"We've been protecting these countries for years with NATO, because NATO is us. You can ask [Russian President Vladimir Putin]. Putin fears us. He doesn't fear — he has no fear of Europe whatsoever."
President Trump also suggested his call for other nations to help was more of a loyalty test than a true need for assistance.
"We don't need anybody. We're the strongest nation in the world," he told reporters. "I'm almost doing it in some cases not because we need them but because I want to find out how they react."
A federal judgetemporarily blocked several vaccine policy changes enacted by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., siding with a coalition of pediatricians and public health groups that argued the moves were unlawful. The ruling halts Secretary Kennedy's overhaul of the CDC's childhood immunization schedule — which reduced the number of recommended shots — and suspends actions taken by a newly appointed federal vaccine advisory panel after the previous members were dismissed. The lawsuit, led by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical organizations, argues the changes ignored established procedures and scientific evidence and could increase the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.
FCC Chair Brandon Carr (R) threatened to revoke broadcast licenses after President Trump complained about negative coverage of the Iran war. "Broadcasters that are running hoaxes and news distortions — also known as the fake news — have a chance now to correct course before their license renewals come up," Mr. Carr wrote on social media. "The law is clear. Broadcasters must operate in the public interest, and they will lose their licenses if they do not." The FCC head has repeatedly threatened to revoke licenses over coverage the administration does not like but has yet to follow through. The latest warning drew criticism from Democrats and some Republicans. "I am a big supporter of the First Amendment," Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) told Fox News. "I would rather the federal government stay out of the private sector as much as possible." President Trump said he was "thrilled" Mr. Carr was reviewing the licenses of what he called "Corrupt and Highly Unpatriotic" news organizations.
The Houseunanimously approved bipartisan legislation to impose additional sanctions on individuals and entities that buy Iranian oil as the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran enters its third week. The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act was introduced by Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY) and had nearly 300 co-sponsors. "The United States will not allow the Iranian regime to evade sanctions and bankroll terrorism through illicit oil sales," Rep. Lawler said. "For too long, Iran has relied on a network of foreign banks, insurers, and logistics providers to move sanctioned oil. This legislation targets that entire network and ensures those financing the largest state sponsor of terrorism face real consequences." The legislation now heads to the Senate.
President Trumprevealed that Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL) had received a terminal diagnosis related to an unspecified cardiac condition. "We had one man, he was very ill, it looked like he wasn't going to make it," the president said during an event with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). "I won't mention his name. Should I?" The speaker shook his head but then said the congressman "had some real health challenges … and had had a pretty grim diagnosis." "He would be dead by June," the president interjected. "Okay, that wasn't public," the speaker said before praising President Trump for connecting Rep. Dunn with his own doctors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, who performed emergency surgery. "The man has a new lease on life," the speaker said. The Florida Republican announced in January that he will not be running for reelection but has denied rumors that he would resign.
Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff, announced she has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and plans to continue working through the treatments. "Nearly one in eight women in the United States will face this diagnosis," she said in a statement. "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." President Trump praised her as "one of the strongest people" he knows and noted her "excellent" prognosis. "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," he said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said Democrats will soon unveil a discharge petition to try to force a floor vote on legislation that would fund most of the Homeland Security Department except for agencies that deal with immigration enforcement. "The Homeland Security Department has been shut down for more than 30 days because Donald Trump and Republican extremists refuse to get ICE under control. Meanwhile, hardworking employees of the TSA, CISA, Coast Guard and FEMA have been forced to work without pay," he wrote in a letter to colleagues. "House Democrats will continue to demand changes to ICE that are bold, meaningful and transformational. Immigration enforcement in this country should be fair, just and humane. That is not what is happening right now."
For your radar…
The Senate plans to begin debate Tuesday on the SAVE America Act, the GOP bill to require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID to cast a ballot in federal elections. Watch LIVE on C-SPAN2 starting at 10am ET.
President Trump and Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin participate Tuesday in the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon at the U.S. Capitol marking St. Patrick's Day. Watch LIVE online at 12pm ET.
