Three to Get Ready for June 20, 2026

Bad News First

I swear I'm not making this up.

1. Iran’s military has once again declared the Straight of Hormuz closed, but the U.S. president seems very pleased with his new plane, noting that “a normal president” wouldn’t ask a foreign country to gift him an aircraft.
2. Having managed to remove more than 770,000 American children from food stamps, the administration is planning to end HIV funding in South Africa (because of discrimination against….white people).
3. As disturbing new details emerge regarding the Defense Secretary’s efforts to sideline minority and women service members, so has a military flu outbreak (following the Secretary’s decision to make vaccines optional).

But Here’s the Good News

News worthy of celebration! A toast to everyone who showed up, spoke out, or kept the faith.

1. The NYT reports that ICE “plans to sell or give away most of the 11 warehouses it bought to detain migrants, reversing course on a signature initiative.” More context. WELL DONE, protesters, litigators, and everyone speaking out in New Jersey, Michigan, Georgia, and elsewhere.
2. Speaking of reversals, you can forget about that whole dismantling of ocean observatories thing. For now.
3. On Capitol Hill, Dems are keeping busy. Jamie Raskin is once again asking for the president’s medical records and Elissa Slotkin introduced legislation to require Congressional approval before deploying military or law enforcement to polling places.

And Here’s What You Can Do

Recharge. Re-engage. Repeat.

1. Recharge your hope by watching speeches and music celebrating the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.
2. Recharge your resolve by reading this op-ed, “The State of American Resistance Is Stronger Than You Think.”
3. Recharge your faith in civic engagement with this free June 24 webinar.