Vice President JD Vance says the Trump administration’s effort to economically isolate Iran is working, as the White House ramps up pressure on Tehran in an attempt to force the Iranian government back to the negotiating table.

On the latest White House Briefing Room with Jon Decker, Vance responds directly to Decker’s question about Operation Economic Outcast, the U.S. campaign aimed at cutting Iran off from global trade and finance. But a major obstacle remains: China buys more than 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports, and both China and Pakistan say they will not comply with U.S. sanctions.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is taking his fight over mail-in voting back to the Supreme Court. The administration is asking the justices to allow new rules requiring states to provide voter data and giving the U.S. Postal Service authority to reject mail ballots that fail to meet certain conditions. The legal battle comes as states prepare to begin sending ballots for the November midterm elections.

Plus, Trump names Adam Telle as acting Army Secretary following Dan Driscoll’s resignation, and excavation work is expected to begin within weeks on the president’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch in Washington, D.C., despite an ongoing legal challenge.

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President Donald Trump is preparing to hit the campaign trail ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with Alaska’s closely watched U.S. Senate race emerging as a major battleground. Trump says he plans to campaign for Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan as he faces former Rep. Mary Peltola in a race that could help determine control of the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is extending U.S. military deployments in the Middle East into 2027 as the war with Iran continues. Tens of thousands of American troops remain in the region, along with aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers, fighter squadrons, air-defense units and paratroopers, as the Trump administration maintains pressure on Tehran and seeks to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Plus, a federal judge blocks President Trump’s latest attempt to restrict birthright citizenship, setting up another legal fight over the 14th Amendment. And after more than 40 days without a traditional White House press briefing, Vice President JD Vance is set to return to the briefing room following Karoline Leavitt’s departure as White House press secretary.

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President Donald Trump is warning Iran that even more powerful attacks could be coming as fighting between the United States and Iran intensifies again across the Middle East.

On today’s White House Briefing Room, Jon Decker reports on new U.S. strikes against Iranian targets following Iran’s attempts to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks targeting American forces. Trump is threatening a “much harder and higher level” of retaliation if Tehran responds, while U.S. Central Command says key international shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz are open.

The renewed fighting is already hitting global energy markets. Brent crude surged above $94 a barrel after two tankers carrying Saudi oil were struck near the Strait of Hormuz. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argues the strategic importance of the waterway could dramatically decline as Middle Eastern nations pursue alternative oil pipelines.

Also, tensions between the United States and Canada continue to rise as Prime Minister Mark Carney criticizes Washington amid a worsening trade dispute and retaliatory tariffs.

Plus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warns that Russian airspace is becoming increasingly unsafe amid escalating missile and drone attacks, and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll prepares to leave the Pentagon following months of reported tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

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President Donald Trump scores a major legal victory as the Supreme Court allows construction of his White House ballroom to continue while litigation over the project plays out in the lower courts.

On today’s White House Briefing Room, Jon Decker breaks down the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision, why the majority concluded that the historic preservation group challenging the project likely lacks legal standing, and Chief Justice John Roberts’ dissent questioning whether the administration has statutory authority to build the ballroom without congressional approval.

Plus, oil prices climb above $90 a barrel after renewed fighting between the United States and Iran. President Trump promises a response after Iran launches missiles at a U.S. base in Jordan, while the administration ramps up economic pressure on Tehran through a new round of sanctions.

And ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine says the U.S. military has no plans to deploy federal troops or National Guard members to polling places, seize ballots, or take control of voting machines.

 

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On the Thursday, August 27 edition of The White House Briefing Room, Jon Decker breaks down the escalating trade dispute between the United States and Canada, the latest legal fight involving Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, and how Vietnam has emerged as a major beneficiary of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

The U.S.-Canada trade battle shows no signs of ending soon after negotiations broke down and the Trump administration imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion in Canadian goods. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced retaliatory tariffs, while President Trump is threatening additional duties on Canadian vehicles and auto parts. Both governments are now preparing for a dispute that could stretch beyond the 2026 midterm elections.

Jon also examines Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook’s response to renewed allegations that she committed mortgage fraud. Cook’s attorney says the claims are unfounded and argues there is no legal basis for removing her from the Federal Reserve Board after her efforts to remain in office prevailed in multiple courts.

Finally, new trade data shows Vietnam has become one of the biggest winners from the Trump administration’s tariff strategy. As manufacturers including Apple, Nike, and Lululemon continue shifting production away from China, Vietnam’s trade surplus with the United States has surged, raising new questions about whether tariffs are bringing manufacturing back to America or simply redirecting global supply chains.

Plus, Jon previews President Trump’s Thursday schedule, including Oval Office meetings and an RNC fundraising event in Houston.

 

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The U.S.-Canada trade war is escalating as Canada fires back at President Donald Trump with sweeping retaliatory tariffs on American goods.

Jon Decker breaks down Canada’s response after President Trump announced plans for new 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion in Canadian imports. Canada is now preparing tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on approximately $20 billion worth of American products, including steel, aluminum, motorcycles, appliances, cheese, and seafood. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins also weighs in on what the growing trade fight could mean for American farmers.

Plus, Sen. Darlene Graham wins the Republican Senate runoff in South Carolina, delivering a high-profile victory for President Trump’s endorsement after an expensive battle against Rep. Ralph Norman.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe makes a surprise trip to Moscow as the Trump administration continues its efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. What does the unexpected visit signal about U.S.-Russia relations and the administration’s ongoing talks with Vladimir Putin?

Also, President Trump sends a landmark U.S.-Saudi Arabia nuclear agreement to Congress for review while maintaining his demand that Saudi Arabia normalize relations with Israel.

And the White House honors country music legend Dolly Parton following her death at age 80, with President Trump ordering flags at federal buildings and U.S. military installations to be flown at half-staff for one week.

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The Trump administration is dramatically escalating its economic campaign against Iran with the launch of “Operation Economic Outcast,” a sweeping new effort designed to isolate Tehran from the global economy.

Jon Decker breaks down Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s announcement that the United States is targeting more than 60 entities, individuals, and vessels accused of helping Iran evade sanctions, sell oil, procure nuclear and missile technology, and conduct cyber operations. The administration is also warning countries and companies around the world that continuing to do business with Iran could expose them to the full reach of American economic power.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is escalating his trade battle with Canada, threatening 50% tariffs on Canadian automobiles and auto parts beginning in January. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is pushing back as the dispute between the two longtime allies threatens to develop into an all-out trade war.

Plus, the Supreme Court hands the Trump administration another legal victory involving the president’s executive order targeting mail-in voting ahead of the November midterm elections.

And in South Carolina, a Trump-aligned super PAC is spending heavily to support Sen. Darlene Graham as she faces Rep. Ralph Norman in a closely watched Republican runoff that could provide another test of President Trump’s endorsement power.

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A new trade war is erupting between the United States and Canada after last-minute negotiations collapsed and President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs on billions of dollars in Canadian goods took effect. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is firing back with plans for retaliatory tariffs as tensions between the longtime allies reach a new level.

Jon Decker breaks down what caused the U.S.-Canada trade talks to fall apart, what the escalating tariff battle could mean for the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, and how both Washington and Ottawa are blaming each other for the breakdown.

Plus, Iran issues a new threat against Gulf nations that cooperate with President Trump’s escalating economic pressure campaign, warning that countries helping isolate Tehran will be treated as enemies. With Iran continuing to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the Trump administration is preparing additional economic measures aimed at crippling Iran’s economy.

Finally, President Trump takes in a historic IndyCar race through the heart of Washington, D.C., as Kyle Kirkwood dominates the Freedom 250 Grand Prix on the streets surrounding the National Mall.

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President Donald Trump is escalating economic pressure on Iran, threatening “tremendous economic consequences” against countries that continue doing business with Iran.

On this edition of the White House Briefing Room, Jon Decker breaks down President Trump’s latest effort to isolate Iran economically and pressure its leadership toward negotiations. China remains Iran’s largest trading partner and primary buyer of Iranian oil, while India, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Turkey, and Pakistan could also face consequences as the Trump administration considers its next move.

Decker also has the latest from the Middle East as the USS Abraham Lincoln concludes its deployment and begins the roughly 13,000-mile journey home after months of American operations against Iran.

Back in Washington, the battle over President Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom heads toward the Supreme Court. Lower courts have raised questions about whether the massive construction project can proceed without congressional approval, setting up another significant legal fight for the administration.

Plus, Trump and his former personal attorney Michael Cohen appear to have buried the hatchet. The two discussed their turbulent history, the economy, polling, the border, and U.S. military operations during a radio interview as Cohen seeks a presidential pardon.

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A surprising result in Alaska's Senate primary is putting one of the country's most important 2026 races in the spotlight. Jon Decker reports from Anchorage after Democrat Mary Peltola finished as the top vote-getter in the state's nonpartisan primary, ahead of incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.

Peltola, a former Alaska congresswoman, captured 48% of the vote in the 16-candidate field and is positioning herself as a moderate who can compete in a traditionally Republican state. Sullivan, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, acknowledges Republicans face headwinds as Alaskans remain concerned about the high cost of living. With control of the U.S. Senate potentially hanging in the balance, Alaska could become a major November battleground.

There's also an unusual wild card: another candidate named Dan Sullivan could advance to the four-person general election ballot, raising Republican concerns that voters could become confused and votes could be split.

Plus, North Korea rejects President Trump's decision to scale back joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises, calling the move an ineffective goodwill gesture. Trump, meanwhile, says he expects to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as he seeks to revive direct diplomacy.

Finally, the United States gives Canada a three-day reprieve from sweeping 50% tariffs as Trump says a new trade deal is close. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says substantial progress has been made as negotiations continue over tariffs and the future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.

Jon Decker has the latest from Anchorage, Alaska, on the White House Briefing Room.

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