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President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was angry about settling the Iran war. Trump was taking press questions after swearing in new Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin in the Oval Office when he gave a frank response about the status of the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East, which has now reached its fourth week and left 13 troops dead and 232 service members wounded.This was the second time in two days that Trump had punted the blame to Hegseth over the war. On Monday, during a visit to Tennessee, Trump claimed that Hegseth urged him to pursue joint military strikes with Israel on Iran. "I don’t want to say this, but I have to. I said to Pete and General Caine, I think this thing [the war] is going to be settled very soon. They said, 'Oh, that’s too bad.' Pete didn’t want it to be settled," Trump said. Political commentator Brian Krassenstein shared the video on X, saying, "In other words our Sec. of War doesn't want peace, he wants war." Several other people commented on social media after the president's remarks. "Caine getting tossed under the bus for good measure now too. Dude is just out here blaming everyone lmao," commentator Bill DeMayo wrote on X."Trump trying to spread blame like butter on toast," progressive commentator Bill Johnson wrote on X. BREAKING: Trump just said that Pete Hegseth was angry that there may be a settlement in the Iran war. He said that Hegseth doesn’t want it to be settled. "I don’t want to say this but I have to… Pete didn’t want it to be settled."In other words our Sec. of War doesn't… pic.twitter.com/LcbAagDFHw— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) March 24, 2026

Tania Warner says she has documents showing she is in the US legally, but immigration agents were not swayedSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxA Canadian woman who has been imprisoned with her seven-year-old daughter by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has cautioned other immigrants that they are at risk of detention, even if they follow the correct legal process – and warned them to keep out of sight for as long as Donald Trump is president.“Don’t go anywhere near a checkpoint, and if your papers are in processing, just lay low. Trump meant what he said – he is trying to get rid of everyone, whether they are good or bad,” said Tania Warner, 47, who is currently held with her autistic daughter, Ayla, at the Dilley immigration processing center in south Texas. Continue reading...

Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified Tuesday in a federal criminal case involving his once-roommate and friend, former Rep. David Rivera, saying during cross-examination that he did not know about Rivera's alleged crimes, CBS News reported. Rivera has been accused of secretly lobbying for the Venezuelan government. Rubio and Rivera had a close relationship in the past. Both are Cuban American immigrants from Miami, and Rivera was with Rubio when he picked out his wife's engagement ring. Rivera stood by Rubio's side as he pushed his political career forward while they both pursued their political ambitions in the Florida House of Representatives. "Rubio described a 2017 meeting with Rivera where he said 'insiders in the regime in Venezuela' had convinced former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step aside, and Rubio said he had no knowledge that Rivera had allegedly been contracted out by a subsidiary of a Venezuelan state oil company to arrange the meeting," according to CBS News.Rubio described his response to the claims that Maduro was planning to step down. "I was skeptical that it was true," Rubio said. "Because we've had so many other people" attempt to do the same thing with "double dealers who were constantly making these claims."Federal prosecutors allege that Rivera and his codefendant Esther Nuhfer sought to influence the first Trump administration to lower political tensions and tone down sanctions on behalf of Maduro and then-Foreign Minister and now interim Venezuelan president Delcy Rodriguez. Rivera and Nuhfer were indicted in 2022 by a grand jury in the Southern District of Florida for failing to register as a foreign agent and money laundering. "Prosecutors allege that the pair were hired in a $50 million contract in exchange for three months of lobbying work in 2017 on behalf of a U.S.-based subsidiary of a Venezuela state oil company, PDVSA, which operates under the name CITGO," CBS News reported.The indictment revealed that both Rivera and Nuhfer were accused of trying to lobby Rubio, who was at the time a Miami Republican senator, and Kellyanne Conway, former White House advisor, on behalf of the Venezuelan government's high ranking leaders. "The attempts to meet Conway were unsuccessful, prosecutors said, but added that the pair did arrange two meetings with Rubio, who is a longtime friend of Rivera's and had been an outspoken critic of the Maduro regime," according to CBS News.This was the first time in more than 40 years that a current Cabinet member was called as a witness in a federal trial, according to The Washington Post.Rubio was asked what he knew about the alleged $50 million contract between Rivera, Nuhfera and a Venezuela oil subsidiary. "I have no such knowledge other than what is in the press and what is in the indictment," Rubio said.

President Donald Trump claimed to have received a "very big present" from the leaders of Iran.During a Tuesday press conference at the White House, Trump was asked who his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff were negotiating with to end the war with Iran."We killed all their leadership, and then they met to choose new leaders, and we killed all of them," Trump noted. "And now we have a new group, and we can easily do that, but let's see how they turn out."The president claimed that he had accomplished "regime change" in Iran."This is regime change, right?" he said. "They're going to make a deal. They did something yesterday that was amazing, actually. They gave us a present. And the present arrived today. It was a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money.""And I'm not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize," he added. "And they gave it to us, and they said they were going to give it. So that meant one thing to me. We're dealing with the right people."Trump said the "present" was not related to Iran's nuclear capabilities."It was oil and gas related," he explained. "And it was a very nice thing they did. But what it showed me is that we're dealing with the right people. Because, you know, you don't know, because the leadership was killed. All gone.""But we're dealing with a group of people that I think turned out. And the present — the gift they made to us was very significant. And they said they were going to do it, and it happened. And they're the only ones that could have done it."

President Donald Trump blamed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for pushing him into the war in Iran.During an event in Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday, Trump bragged about past gains in the stock market, which have recently taken a hit because of Operation Epic Fury."You know, our economy was fantastic. We had a Dow at 50,000," the president explained. "And then, unfortunately, I came -- I called Pete, I called General [Dan] Caine, I called a lot of our great people. We have great people. And I said, 'Let's talk. We got a problem in the Middle East. We have a country known as Iran, that for 47 years has been just a purveyor of terror, and they're very close to having a nuclear weapon."Trump noted that his success in the stock market would have continued if not for the war."We can keep going and get that 50,000 up to 55 and 60," he remarked. "Or we can take a stop and make a little journey into the Middle East and eliminate a big problem.""And, Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up. And you said, 'Let's do it,'' because you can't let them have a nuclear weapon," Trump added.The president went on to predict that the war could be over soon because of "very good discussions" with Iran.For their part, Iranian officials have denied having discussions with the Trump administration.

A congenial interview with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) grew tense Monday morning when MS NOW host Joe Scarborough became increasingly impatient with the Senate Minority leader — and snapped at him with “you don’t understand me.”Schumer, who has been the subject of stories that some Democrats want him to step away from his leadership position, was asked about Donald Trump’s decision to back off on some of the attacks on Iran. That led to the “Morning Joe” co-host lecturing his guest on the public’s perception of the unprovoked war.“First of all, is it a good thing that we're degrading Iran's military infrastructure?” the New York Democrat was asked, which led Schumer to focus on the closing of the Strait of Hormuz and the high cost of gasoline.“No, no, no, hold on a second,“ the MS NOW host protested. “You've got to answer my question first. Is it a good thing that Iran, I think you would agree with me, the epicenter of terrorism in the world since 1979, is it good that their military infrastructure is being degraded to the degree that it is? Yes or no?”“You can't, because it's a premature question. What's going to happen in the next several months?” Schumer replied.Scarborough cut him off with, “No, no, I can ask that question. You have the military side. You have the political side. I'm simply asking on the military side, is it good? Regardless of whether we agree with going in or not, is it good that Iran's military infrastructure has been seriously —.”“Again, I have to tell you, Joe, first, you can't,” the lawmaker interrupted. “What's going to happen three months from now? Is it worth it? What's going to happen? Will the world economy collapse? Will something happen even worse? Will the whole energy infrastructure of the world go up in smoke?” “Let me answer the question for everybody in America,” the exasperated Scarborough shot back as he held up his hands to the entire silent panel. “The answer is ‘yes’ it's good that that terrorist regime, their military has been and capabilities have been degraded radically. The question though, is political. It's the political question. What is the political impact? What's the impact in the streets? What's the impact in the region?”“In all due respect, if you ask the American people if you have the choice of degrading the military, the military structure in Iran, but having gasoline be $6 a gallon, and our economy falling into a deep recession where millions lose their job," Schumer protested.“Senator, you're not listening to me,” the MS NOW host shot back. “That's the political side.” - YouTube youtu.be

Iranian officials reportedly contradicted President Donald Trump after he claimed that he had fruitful talks with the regime to postpone his 48-hour deadline on bombing power plants.“VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST," Trump wrote on a Monday Truth Social post. "I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD."CNBC reported that an Iranian official told a different story on state TV.“There is been no negotiation and there is no negotiation, and with this kind of psychological warfare, neither the Strait of Hormuz will return to its pre-war conditions nor will there be peace in the energy markets," the official said.Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) said that Trump had postponed a "possible war crime.""This isn’t a message to Iran. It’s a panicky message to the markets," he pointed out. "No war escalation until markets close on Friday."

More than a few of Donald Trump’s supporters were displeased early Monday morning after the president called off imminent attacks on Iran’s power plants as discussions took place aimed at ending the war.In an all-caps Truth Social announcement, that was reposted moments later to fix multiple typos, the president declared, in part, “I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.”That did not sit well with some MAGA fans who voiced their unhappiness on Truth Social.Retired Air Force veteran Birdnut implored, “Please dont let this drag on like Ukraine. Pauses do not benefit anyone but the enemy.”“Any kind of agreement with the Islamic Republic is a betrayal of the people of Iran. If the Republic survives, it will massacre the people just as it is executing them every day. And be sure that if it survives, it is a wounded snake that will seek revenge on the world as soon as it comes to its senses,”warned Mina45.Viji demanded, “Finish the job.”“Don’t believe a word they say!!!!” wrote patriot4ever45 to which Ceyberdog added, “Don’t trust these people!!!! Only a complete surrender is acceptable…. Have been negotiating for 47 years and they do not abide.”FlyingFox advised, “I wouldn’t believe a word the Iranians have said - any agreement will be broken within hours - blame will then be laid at the feet of Israel and the U.S. The world press will then write another fake news report blaming President Trump. The merry go round starts again! Appeasement doesn’t work with Terrorists! Nothing short of total destruction has any future benefit regrettably!”“Please don't negotiate with the Islamic regime terrorists. Finish the job, Mr. President. clean up those jihadists from the earth. end this dictatorship and let the world and Iranians to breath!” added MiladDev.Misaelmesa pointed out, “That wicked regime will not back down; they are merely stalling for time to regroup. You must press on to the very end, granting no quarter to those damned Satanists.”“If they're [sic] capability of developing a nuclear bomb is not completely halted, then we have lost,” lamented SallySunshine75.