The Trump administration launched a massive wave of airstrikes against Iranian military assets while Senate Republicans prepared a contempt vote against Dr. Anthony Fauci following a contentious hearing.
The Trump administration significantly intensified its military posture in the Middle East overnight, as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) executed a two-hour wave of airstrikes targeting the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The operation, which commenced at 3:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, deployed American assets against dozens of targets, including military command facilities, missile and drone sites, coastal defense installations, and naval capabilities. This offensive follows a foiled Iranian missile attack on a U.S. base in Jordan and fulfills President Trump’s recent public vow to strike Tehran “hard” in retaliation for threats against American service members. CENTCOM emphasized that more than 50,000 U.S. service members currently deployed in the region remain “highly alert, focused, lethal, and prepared” for further escalation.
The White House now faces immediate diplomatic and constitutional friction resulting from this expansion of hostilities. In Washington, Saudi Arabia’s defense minister met with Vice President JD Vance to urge restraint, warning of “major unknown risks” should the conflict expand further into Yemen or Iraq. This diplomatic pressure coincides with a recent U.S.-Saudi nuclear deal that would provide Riyadh with civilian nuclear technology, provided they normalize relations with Israel. On Capitol Hill, the strikes have reignited a fierce debate over the War Powers Resolution. Lawmakers are currently scrutinizing whether the administration’s actions fall within the 60-day window established by the President’s July 13 notice to Congress, or if the widening theater of war requires fresh, explicit legislative authorization. Democratic senators are already signaling intent to limit the president’s ability to impose broad Iran-related tariffs as part of the pending “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.”
Simultaneously, the Senate is grappling with a breakdown in pandemic oversight. During a high-stakes hearing on the origins of COVID-19, former NIAID Director Anthony Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times. The move came as Senator Rand Paul and other Republicans questioned the veracity of Fauci’s previous testimony regarding federal research funding and the origins of the virus. Following a procedural clash that saw Fauci’s attorney removed from the room, the committee announced it will vote next week on whether to hold the former official in contempt of Congress. While Democrats have characterized the proceedings as an attempt to make Fauci a “scapegoat,” Republican leadership has signaled that perjury referrals to the Justice Department remain a distinct possibility, focusing on whether Fauci was sufficiently truthful in earlier testimony about federal funding of research.
These developments occur against a backdrop of intense diplomatic activity and institutional shifts in the capital. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both arrived in Washington this week to meet with President Trump and attend the funeral of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. Zelensky is scheduled to meet with all 100 senators this evening at the U.S. Capitol, even as the Senate continues to process high-level appointments, including the recent confirmation of Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence. The escalation in the Middle East is already driving a White House push for additional military funding in upcoming continuing resolution and reconciliation negotiations, intensifying existing fights over defense spending and the reach of executive authority.
Beyond foreign policy, the administrative state continues to expand its reach into domestic energy and national security sectors. The Energy Department recently finalized memorandums of agreement with five states—Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Idaho—to explore nuclear waste storage solutions. Meanwhile, the administration notified Congress of a $175.8 million anti-China initiative to secure undersea cables in the Caribbean and Central America. However, these policy maneuvers are being met with historic levels of public skepticism. Recent Gallup data shows Supreme Court approval has plummeted to 33 percent, a record low in 26 years driven by declining Republican support, reflecting a broader erosion of trust in the federal government’s core institutions as the executive and legislative branches remain locked in a cycle of confrontation over war powers, pandemic accountability, and the limits of the administrative state.
Miles Harrington serves as the Senior Correspondent for Federal Systems & Executive Power at Just Right News, where he brings a disciplined, constitutionalist lens to the inner workings of the American government. With a focus on the mechanics of the federal bureaucracy and the limits of executive authority, Harrington has established himself as a vital voice for readers who value transparency, accountability, and the preservation of the separation of powers.
A native of Richmond, Virginia, Harrington’s perspective is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Old Dominion. Growing up in a city defined by its historical significance and its role as a center of American jurisprudence, he developed an early appreciation for the foundational principles of the Republic. His upbringing in Richmond—a place where the legacy of the Founding Fathers is woven into the landscape—instilled in him a belief that the federal government should remain within its constitutional bounds. This background informs his skepticism of centralized overreach and his commitment to reporting on the ways in which the administrative state impacts the lives of everyday citizens.
In his current role, Harrington specializes in the complexities of federal systems. He doesn’t just report on the headlines of the day; he digs into the structural shifts within the executive branch that often go unnoticed by the mainstream press. Whether he is analyzing the implications of a new federal regulation or investigating the expansion of agency jurisdiction, his work is characterized by a rigorous adherence to the facts and a dedication to the rule of law.
Harrington is perhaps best known for his signature feature series, “How Washington Works.” Through this ongoing project, he demystifies the often-opaque processes of the nation’s capital, pulling back the curtain on the “Deep State” and the unelected officials who wield significant influence over national policy. By breaking down complex legislative maneuvers and executive orders, he empowers Just Right News readers to understand the true levers of power in Washington. His reporting serves as a necessary check on the federal government, ensuring that the actions of those in power are held up to the light of public scrutiny.
Now based in Washington, D.C., Harrington operates at the epicenter of the political world, yet he remains intentionally distanced from the “Beltway bubble.” His proximity to the halls of power allows him to maintain a robust network of sources across the federal landscape, but his heart remains in the principled conservatism of his Virginia roots. He views his role not merely as a reporter, but as a steward of the public trust, dedicated to providing the clarity and context that conservative voters need to navigate an increasingly complex political environment.
Through his sharp analysis and unwavering commitment to the truth, Miles Harrington continues to be a cornerstone of the Just Right News team. His work ensures that the principles of limited government and executive restraint remain at the forefront of the national conversation, providing a crucial service to those who believe in a government that is truly of, by, and for the people.