DOJ Pauses Anti-Weaponization Fund, Iran Deal Complications, California Primary

The Justice Department has paused its $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund after a federal judge blocked its creation, sparking rare bipartisan backlash—even within Trump's own party. The fund, intended to compensate individuals allegedly targeted by past administrations for political reasons, has become a political liability, with less than a third of MAGA voters supporting it and up to 30 Republicans open to banning it. Meanwhile, U.S.-Israel relations are fraying over Lebanon, as Israel's planned attack on Beirut was halted after Trump intervened—only for Netanyahu to reaffirm his military's continued operations, revealing a growing rift between the two leaders. Iran responded by suspending U.S. negotiations, citing Israel’s actions, while Trump vacillated between claiming talks were 'rapid' and calling them 'boring.' In California, primary day brought high-stakes races shaped by a new Democratic-drawn map, with Democrats eyeing up to five Republican-held seats—though two races remain highly competitive. The retirement of Nancy Pelosi has ignited a fierce internal Democratic debate over the party’s future, with progressive and moderate candidates vying for her legacy seat, while a potential Republican-free gubernatorial race could further shift the political landscape. The episode reveals a White House under pressure from within its own ranks, a foreign policy in disarray, and a Democratic Party reeling from internal divisions.