Washington Examiner

The South Carolina Senate voted against a Republican-backed plan to redraw congressional districts that would have eliminated the state's sole majority-Black district and canceled ongoing primaries. Multiple news outlets reported the rejection occurred after early in-person voting had begun, with the effort linked to national Republican priorities following a recent Supreme Court decision. Parallel developments in Alabama involved a federal court blocking a similar map.

Donald Trump underwent a physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on May 26 and posted that the results showed everything checked out perfectly. This marked his third visit to the facility during his second presidential term, which began in January 2025. Trump turns 80 on June 14.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Monday that a deal to end the war with Iran could materialize that day and affirmed Israel's right to self-defense. President Trump announced on Saturday that an agreement has been largely negotiated but remains subject to final approvals. Republican Senators Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham expressed concerns about the reported talks.

The Texas Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate between Attorney General Ken Paxton and incumbent Senator John Cornyn is scheduled for Tuesday. Donald Trump endorsed Paxton last week. Democrat James Talarico is the party's nominee for the general election.

Kerry Sheron, a 69-year-old Army veteran, was beaten outside his Escondido home on May 20 and later died in the hospital. Thomas Butler, a 32-year-old Navy veteran, has been charged with attempted murder, elder abuse, criminal threats, and battery, and remains in jail without bail. Reporting from The Hill and Washington Examiner confirms the attack details and Sheron's property decorations but provides no established motive.

Sen. Rick Scott and Sen. Ron Johnson had phone records subpoenaed or seized in connection with the Senate's Arctic Frost investigation into 2020 election matters. A DOJ compensation fund created from a prior Trump-IRS settlement is under discussion among Republicans, with Scott declining compensation and pursuing private litigation against Booz Allen Hamilton. Congress adjourned for recess with a $70 billion immigration bill pending.

Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that Iran's enriched uranium must be turned over to the United States or destroyed under Atomic Energy Commission supervision. The post occurred on Monday amid U.S.-Iran peace talks that have so far avoided additional airstrikes. No final agreement has been reached.

The Supreme Court denied Florida's petition to file an original-jurisdiction lawsuit against California and Washington by a 7-2 vote, with Justices Thomas and Alito dissenting. Florida alleged that the two states issued commercial driver's licenses to illegal immigrants in violation of federal English-proficiency and immigration-status requirements. The unsigned majority provided no explanation for the denial.

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) has refused to endorse Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Maine, citing Platner's tattoo resembling a Nazi Death’s Head symbol and related commentary as disqualifying. Platner obtained the tattoo in his twenties while serving as a Marine and has stated he was unaware of its historical associations. After Janet Mills withdrew from the race, Platner became the sole Democratic candidate and will face incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) in the general election.

Freedom 250, a non-partisan organization founded to mark the United States 250th anniversary, will hold a public candlelight ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on May 25 from 8:30 to 10 pm. The event will highlight the lives of Medal of Honor recipient Captain Humber “Rocky” Versace and Captain Daniel W. Eggers, with scheduled remarks from veterans, a historian, and the Eggers family plus a performance by Gretchen Wilson. All verified details derive from a single right-leaning outlet.

AIPAC's United Democracy Project super PAC spent nearly $5 million on advertisements criticizing Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) for votes against pro-Israel resolutions. The TrackAIPAC X account previously operated as California for Warren, an account created in April 2019 to support Elizabeth Warren's presidential campaign. Massie lost his primary on Tuesday according to reports from the Washington Examiner.

Cole Schmidtknecht, 22, died on January 21, 2024, after a severe asthma attack and cardiac arrest. His family alleges that a formulary change by a pharmacy benefit manager rendered his Advair Diskus inhaler unaffordable. Industry data show three PBMs handling the majority of U.S. prescription claims.

Donald Trump is set to speak at noon on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in his only scheduled public event that day, including a wreath-laying ceremony. The Washington Examiner reports that remarks may reference ongoing Iran negotiations and a potential agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Multiple perspectives frame the event differently, with questions remaining about whether foreign policy statements will occur at the cemetery itself.

US Central Command conducted self-defense strikes on May 25 2026 targeting missile launch sites and fast boats near Bandar Abbas Iran according to statements from the command and reports in Washington Examiner and Townhall. The strikes eliminated two boats and hit a SAM site with explosions reported in the area. Central Command described the action as limited and stated it continues to exercise restraint during an ongoing ceasefire.

Spencer Pratt, a 42-year-old registered Republican known for MTV’s The Hills, is running for mayor of Los Angeles after losing his home in the Palisades fire. He participated in the first televised debate, challenged Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Nithya Raman, and received amplification from Elon Musk on X and an appearance on Fox & Friends in January 2026.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and reiterated rejection of threats to Gulf states' sovereignty, according to Anadolu Agency. President Trump is scheduled to convene his full Cabinet at Camp David on Wednesday, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation due to her husband's bone cancer diagnosis, per Washington Examiner. Reports from Washington Examiner and The Daily Caller indicate Trump stated the U.S. and Iran are close to a deal, though specific unattributed quotes remain unverified.

Spencer Pratt, a reality television personality, is running for mayor of Los Angeles against incumbent Karen Bass and Councilwoman Nithya Raman in the June 2 primary. His campaign has drawn attention through statements on homelessness and a publicized bet placed by basketball player Kyle Kuzma. Available reporting from two outlets centers on migration data and candidate endorsements without independent verification of policy details.