By Damian Paletta

Good morning. It's gonna be a long, hot, messy summer.

President Trump is sick of being told "No" by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and the distrust appears mutual (ask John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy).

Italian leader Giorgia Meloni, a onetime ally, is accusing Trump of lying.

Democrats are clashing with each other over the scraps of Florida's redrawn congressional map.

The ink isn't even dry on the Iran "deal," and Israel and Hezbollah have been fighting in Lebanon, prompting Trump to threaten to bomb Iran into oblivion (a threat that Tehran said violated the peace deal that no one seems to be following). There are so many countries involved in these talks (maybe too many?) and so much spin emerging from so many camps, it's difficult to tell who is telling the truth, or who even knows the truth. (Vice President JD Vance, however, says talks are going well).

Each of these story lines, on their own, represent a big story. But collectively, they show a country and a world order that are on the fritz. Temporary or structural? This summer could reveal a lot.

This is an edition of the Politics newsletter, bringing you an expert guide to what's driving D.C. every day. If you're not subscribed, sign up here.

People and Policies I'm Watching

Iran peace talks: Iran and the U.S. agreed to the creation of a mechanism to halt the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, mediators said Monday. Qatar and Pakistan also said a line of communication between Iran and the U.S. had been formed to enable safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump's Monday: The president is to sign executive orders at 3:30 p.m. ET before participating in policy meetings at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

What I'm Following

Trump vented growing frustrations with the reflecting pool's problems. He said multiple people had been arrested for vandalism, and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool would likely need to be drained for repairs. The pool has been plagued by algae and a coating that is sloughing off after a $14.7 million renovation, problems that he blamed on vandals, who he said had cut and poured corrosive chemicals into the pool.

Jay Clayton waits as Trump and Congress square off over the director of national intelligence post. If acting director Bill Pulte remains in the job very long, he is expected to thin the ranks of an office tasked with coordinating efforts between the administration's intelligence agencies. That would save Clayton the heartburn of making large layoffs that Trump wants but would potentially leave him to deal with the aftermath. However, Trump's impasse with Congress could leave Clayton in limbo indefinitely.

The man behind Graham Platner's campaign in Maine. In pulling an oyster farmer and Marine veteran from obscurity, and then opting for an abbreviated vetting process, Dan Moraff has placed Democratic Party hopes for capturing a majority of Senate seats this year on an unsteady footing. Platner faces continued scrutiny and a barrage of GOP attacks over old posts, a covered-up Nazi-linked tattoo and his previous relationships with women.

What Else Is Happening

   -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday he would step down 
      following a rebellion in his Labour Party, clearing the way for Andy 
      Burnham, a left-wing former mayor, to likely become the country's sixth 
      prime minister in seven years. 
 
   -- Zach Lahn, who earlier this month beat a candidate Trump backed for 
      Iowa's Republican nomination for governor, is selling himself as a 
      political outsider. 
 
   -- China imposed trade restrictions Monday on dozens of U.S. entities, 
      including two producers of rare earth minerals, in retaliation for 
      Washington's decision to expand its military-linked company list. 
 
   -- Far-right populist Abelardo de la Espriella was narrowly elected 
      president of Colombia, setting the country on a collision course with the 
      cocaine-trafficking networks and criminal gangs that have extended their 
      reach across drug-producing regions. 

What I'm Reading

   -- Alaska Legislature Overrides Two of the Governor's Vetoes (Anchorage 
      Daily News) 
 
   -- All Sideshows: Bullhorn, Prosthetic Leg and Upset in Florida GOP 
      Governor's Race (Orlando Sentinel) 
 
   -- This Founding Father Died in Disgrace. But He Can't Be Forgotten. (The 
      Atlantic) 

About Me

I'm Damian Paletta, The Wall Street Journal's Washington coverage chief. I've covered Washington for 22 years as a reporter and editor. I've covered the White House, Congress, national security, the federal budget, economics and multiple market meltdowns.

WSJ Politics brings you an expert guide to what's driving D.C., every weekday morning. Send your feedback to politics@wsj.com (if you're reading this in your inbox, you can just hit reply). This edition was curated and edited in collaboration with Joe Erwin and Michael Connolly. Got a tip for us? Here's how to submit.

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June 22, 2026 07:01 ET (11:01 GMT)

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