Trump News for Friday, March 20, 2026

Tons of aid flows into Cuba as humanitarian convoy arrives on the struggling island

ANDREA RODRÍGUEZ Associated Press, Abcnews.com

Some 650 delegates from 33 countries and 120 organizations have started arriving in Cuba as part of a solidarity caravan transporting some 20 tons of humanitarian aid as the island grapples with a severe energy crisis

US judge sides with New York Times against Pentagon journalism policies

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

In his ruling, Judge Paul Friedman ruled the Trump administration sought to force out 'disfavoured journalists'.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro under investigation in US for drug ties

Jim Glade, Angie Acosta, Al Jazeera English

Faced with reports that two US prosecutors have opened probes, the left-wing leader denies links to drug traffickers.

WATCH: Rise in gas prices show no sign of slowing down, analyst says

ABC News, Abcnews.com

GasBuddy's head of petroleum analysis, Patrick De Haan, says price increases are becoming "far more problematic" every day the war in Iran continues.

WATCH: New details on drones over Air Force base

ABC News, Abcnews.com

A drone sighting that temporarily raised alarms at a U.S. Air Force airfield was more extensive than first reported, per a confidential internal briefing document reviewed by ABC News.

Attacks on Middle East energy sites deepen threat to US economy, analysts say

Max Zahn, Abcnews.com

Tit-for-tat attacks on oil and gas sites across the Middle East in recent days have pushed up oil prices.

Military movements indicate Trump is considering Iran ground operation

Al Jazeera English

The US is moving military assets to the Middle East that are key to providing support for ground troop operations.

The State That Decided to Topple a Political Giant

David A. Graham, The Atlantic

Phil Berger has been the most powerful person in North Carolina for 15 years. That wasn’t enough to save him from voters’ anger at incumbents and legalized gambling.

MTA to move forward with 2nd Ave Subway work, despite Trump's push to kill the project

Stephen Nessen, Gothamist

A portion of the Second Avenue subway that was dug out in East Harlem in the 1970s. That project was canceled amid the city's financial crisis. The MTA plans to get approval for a $1.1 billion contract from the agency's board next week. But officials said …

Ex-minister Gamboa targeted in Costa Rica’s first extradition to the US

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

A former Supreme Court justice, Celso Gamboa was accused by the US of using government connections to traffic cocaine.

US says it struck alleged drug trafficking vessel in Pacific, killing two

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

In an initial statement, the US military said three people survived the strike but did not offer additional details.

Why the US wants to protect Iran’s oil and gas

Joshua Keating, Vox

The Trump administration’s rhetoric on the war in Iran tends to be heavy on words like “lethality” and “obliteration,” so it was notable that the president seemed almost apologetic on Wednesday, when discussing an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field…

Federal prosecutors ask to dismiss charges against officers in Breonna Taylor raid

The Associated Press, NPR

Feds move to dismiss charges against officers accused of falsifying warrant in Breonna Taylor raid.

Fifth Circuit: Actually, Putting The Ten Commandments In Schools Is Probably Fine

Tim Cushing, Techdirt

Last June, the Fifth Circuit Appeals Court upheld a lower court’s ruling declaring a Louisiana law mandating the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools to be a violation of the Constitution. This decision made immediate sense, given that courts els…

Will Europe be pulled into the Iran war?

Al Jazeera English

Europe is under pressure as Trump pushes allies to support the Iran war. How are they responding?

‘The Pitt’ Shocks Viewers With ICE Hospital Raid Episode That Mirrors Real-Life Fear

January Nelson, Thoughtcatalog.com

The Pitt’s Season 2, Episode 11 aired last night and the ICE storyline hit different than anything else on TV right now. Two agents brought in a woman named Pranita after a restaurant raid. S…

QatarEnergy CEO says warned US, industry officials against attack on energy

Edna Mohamed, Al Jazeera English

QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi says he warned US of 'consequences' of attacking Iranian energy infrastructure.

Trump: No Iranian leaders left to talk to, says war going ‘extremely well’

Al Jazeera English

US President Donald Trump said that Iranian leaders are “all gone” and that the White House has “nobody left to talk to.

Sri Lanka says it denied US request to land two aircraft at Mattala airport

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says request made on February 26, two days before US and Israel launched war on Iran.

BofA isn't ruling out a rate hike this year, but says it would take 3 things for that to happen

nbuchanan@insider.com (Naomi Buchanan), Business Insider

Markets are recalibrating expectations for Fed rate cuts. BofA says the Fed could possibly hike rates if three conditions are met.

Trump Proposes a ‘Light Touch’ National Framework for AI Policy

AJ Dellinger, Gizmodo.com

The next closest thing to no rules at all.

Pentagon Implores Civilian Workers to Join ICE “Volunteer Force”

Noah Hurowitz, Austin Campbell, The Intercept

The Defense Department is recruiting on behalf of DHS while the latter faces public backlash and a continued lack of government funding. The post Pentagon Implores Civilian Workers to Join ICE “Volunteer Force” appeared first on The Intercept.

Iranians celebrate Persian New Year in first wartime Nowruz in decades

Maziar Motamedi, Al Jazeera English

Residents of Tehran exchange new year's wishes as US and Israeli attacks continue through the spring equinox.

Grid Down? Scientists Say Your EV Could Provide the Needed Backup Power

Gayoung Lee, Gizmodo.com

If EVs survive the ongoing political fiasco, here’s how we could get the most bang for our buck.

Trump administration seeks billions from Harvard over anti-Semitism claims

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Harvard University has rejected the complaint as 'another pretextual and retaliatory action' from the Trump White House.

Getting to the Airport 3 Hours Early Is No Guarantee You’ll Make Your Flight, as TSA Crisis Worsens

Matt Novak, Gizmodo.com

"I've NEVER seen Hartsfield Jackson this bad," one local reporter in Atlanta wrote.

Trump takes another shot at dismantling state AI regulation

Hayden Field, The Verge

The Trump administration on Friday unveiled its new legislative blueprint for AI regulation, and the seven-point plan includes a clear message: The federal government should avoid many AI regulations beyond a set of child safety rules, and it should bar state…

Cuba ‘categorically’ rejects prospect of removing Diaz-Canel in US talks

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio says he is open to US trade talks but refused to entertain a leadership shake-up.

Donald Trump Signs Order To Pressure Networks To Preserve Army-Navy Game’s Exclusive Time Slot

Ted Johnson, Deadline

Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday designed to try to prevent the scheduling of rival football games to the Army-Navy Game, which has been held on the second Saturday of December. The executive order puts pressure on broadcast networks to preser…

WATCH: TSA call outs rise at certain airports across the U.S.

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Airports across the country are reporting a high number of TSA callouts as the partial government shutdown led to officers receiving $0 paychecks last week.

The Hostile Corporate Takeover of an Entire Country

Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic

What Trump wrought in Venezuela could have come from a Wall Street playbook.

Rival ‘shadow’ group to RFK, Jr.’s autism science committee meets in D.C.

Allison Parshall, Scientific American

Autism researchers are working to counter a federal autism advisory panel that has vaccine skeptic members and, they say, a “striking absence of scientific expertise”

‘Cowards’: Trump slams NATO over lack of support in US–Israel war on Iran

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Trump is calling for US allies to help guarantee shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as NATO relocates Iraq personnel.

The Dumbest Things the GOP Said About the Voter Suppression SAVE America Act This Week

Danielle Han, Jezebel

Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fl.), for one, defended the legislation by declaring he's "married to a married woman." OK!

What US-Israeli targets reveal about Iran war goals three weeks in

Joseph Stepansky, Al Jazeera English

From degradation of military to efforts to foment unrest, targets show array of objectives but no single endgame.

A New Report Shows The Percentage Of MAGA That Still Supports Donald Trump, And Boyyyy, People Have A LOT Of Thoughts

Kelley Greene, Buzzfeed

Is everyone okay?View Entire Post ›

No One Is Coming to Save the Economy

Jacob Weindling, Jezebel

We are living in the largest energy shock in history, and it's clear there's no plan to get us out of it.

Joe Kent’s Resignation Could Bolster a Wave of Conscientious Objectors to Trump’s Iran War

Noah Hurowitz, The Intercept

“This is the kind of thing that really resonates: seeing respected people in positions of power validating what many service members feel.” The post Joe Kent’s Resignation Could Bolster a Wave of Conscientious Objectors to Trump’s Iran War appeared first on T…

NY’s transit unions are at war with Gov. Kathy Hochul

Stephen Nessen, Gothamist

Gov. Kathy Hochul is seeking a new term this year. The state's most powerful transit workers unions are seeking new contracts. [ more › ]

NJ attorney general sues to block ICE from moving forward with Roxbury detention center

Mike Hayes, Gothamist

Protesters demonstrated Saturday against a planned ICE detention center in Roxbury, NJ The lawsuit ratchets up the bitter fight over a 1,500-person site in a deep-red part of the Garden State. [ more › ]

Will Russian oil be the biggest winner in the US-Israel war on Iran?

Nina Montagu-Smith, Al Jazeera English

The price of Russian Urals has soared in recent weeks. How Russia - and other energy producing nations - could profit.

We’d Be Winning This War if It Weren’t for Your Coverage

Alexandra Petri, The Atlantic

Clap! Why don’t you clap?

Watch: Netanyahu says idea Israel dragged US into Iran war 'fake news'

BBC News

The Israeli PM has said no-one can tell President Trump what to do.

Trump Is Totally Ignoring the Lessons of the Last Oil Crisis

Ryan Bort, Rolling Stone

Gas prices are soaring as Donald Trump's war against Iran continues and the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed.

Who are the Gulf’s military allies, and how are they helping in Iran war?

Sarah Shamim, Al Jazeera English

Experts say while Gulf states need support in face of Iranian attacks, it is less clear what their allies can provide.

Who will stop Trump on Iran?

Brian Karem, Salon

As the war escalates and the president digs in, the White House says "Nobody tells him what to do"

Read the memo CBS News leadership sent as the company starts a new round of layoffs

James Faris, Business Insider

CBS News has begun a new round of employee cuts. Read the full memo that top editor Bari Weiss and president Tom Cibrowski sent to CBS News employees.

Barron Trump Turns 20 Today

January Nelson, Thoughtcatalog.com

Barron William Trump has been the most deliberately shielded member of the Trump family from public scrutiny his entire life. He’s 12 years younger than his closest half-sibling, Tiffany, and grew up functionally as an only child.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Security concerns grow in US as funding stalls

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

US preparations fall behind for FIFA World Cup 2026, leading to growing concerns about security risks at events.

Brendan Carr Crafting ‘Patriotic’ Call Center Onshoring Plan To Provide Cover For Mass Looming Telecom Layoffs

Karl Bode, Techdirt

When he’s not busy trampling free speech, crushing the First Amendment, and destroying media consolidation and consumer protection standards, Brendan Carr has other hobbies. Like helping the telecom industry patriotically sell a brutal coming wave of new layo…

Trump is dismantling democracy, reports find. And, Treasury to take over student loans

Brittney Melton, NPR

Recent studies show the U.S. is slipping further from democracy. And, the Trump administration plans to transfer federal student loans from the Education Department to the Treasury Department.

Refugee Council questions Australia’s Iran strategy at Women’s Asian Cup

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

Women's Asian Cup hosts Australia face criticism for the political tug of war over the Iranian women's football team.

Iran today, Africa tomorrow

Tafi Mhaka, Al Jazeera English

What is being done to Iran today could be done to Africa tomorrow. Africa must reject this illegal war.

For Gen Z Republican men, sex is solitary

Amanda Marcotte, Salon

Young conservatives' anger at women is taking a nihilistic turn

F-35 Makes Emergency Landing After 'Hit by Iranian Fire'...

Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman, Twz.com

F-35 Makes Emergency Landing After 'Hit by Iranian Fire'... (First column, 5th story, link) Related stories:Vance is in a bind, supporting a conflict that could cost him politically... May skip presidential run? Trump struggles to dist…

10 Friday AM Reads

Barry Ritholtz, Ritholtz.com

My first day of Spring (yay!) reads: • Finance Bros to Tech Bros: Don’t Mess With My Bloomberg Terminal: Professional investors spend more time with the computer system than they do with their spouses. So when AI evangelists declared it ‘cooked,’ it was war. …

Trump Had No Plan B for Iran

Tom Nichols, The Atlantic

And it shows.

Watch as Trump Manages to Lie Four Times in a Span of Only 45 Words

Jim Vorel, Jezebel

Trump continues to be mad that he can't pardon a state conviction, so he's punishing everyone in Colorado over felon Tina Peters.

Trump’s child care subsidy rules compound an already dire situation for providers and families

Beth Kania-Gosche, Salon

New rules around child care subsidies are heaping struggle on the already ailing.

“Liberate Their Bodies From Their Souls”: The Lies That Sell the Iran War

The Intercept Briefing, The Intercept

Ali Gharib speaks to Afeef Nessouli about the latest strikes on Lebanon and peace strategist Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini on the U.S.–Israel assault on Iran. The post “Liberate Their Bodies From Their Souls”: The Lies That Sell the Iran War appeared first on The I…

Five problems the Iran war could solve for Israel’s Netanyahu

Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera English

From the Iranian threat to his own domestic legal and political troubles, war with Iran has advantages for Netanyahu.

Trump officials have your voting records. Voting security punched in face | Opinion

Yahoo Entertainment

Data Centers Are Military Targets Now

Sam Biddle, The Intercept

With militaries increasingly relying on artificial intelligence, data centers have emerged as new targets for strikes. The post Data Centers Are Military Targets Now appeared first on The Intercept.

An immigration court few have heard of is quietly shaping policy behind the scenes

Ximena Bustillo, NPR

President Trump has slashed the number of people on the Board of Immigration Appeals and stacked it with his appointees, tightening the due process available for immigrants, an NPR analysis shows.

Long before Trump: How US policy has harmed the environment for decades

Sarah Shamim, Al Jazeera English

Environment advocacy groups are suing the US government over climate change policy rollback.

Ukraine sends advisers to Gulf as it counterattacks Russian forces in south

John T Psaropoulos, Al Jazeera English

Ukraine may have reclaimed 400sq km (154sq miles) of territory in 2026, and is downing record numbers of Russian drones.

Kuwait oil refinery hit again as Iran targets Gulf energy infrastructure

Al Jazeera Staff, Al Jazeera English

Attacks stretch from Kuwait to the UAE as analysts warn conflict is entering a dangerous new phase.

Iran war: What is happening on day 21 of US-Israel attacks?

Elizabeth Melimopoulos, Al Jazeera English

Tehran has warned of zero restraint if energy facilities are attacked again, while Netanyahu points to ground operation.

TSA lines in Las Vegas aren't long. Casinos are donating food and basics to agents to keep it that way.

Taylor Rains, Business Insider

Las Vegas' casino industry is sending food and care items to its local TSA agents as a way to keep tourists flowing to and from the Strip.

A Mexican teen migrant dies in a Florida jail holding ICE detainees

The Associated Press, NPR

Royer Perez-Jimenez is the second person to die in ICE custody this week.

Cuba readies for first Russian oil shipment of the year as energy crisis deepens

The Associated Press, NPR

Cuba is preparing to receive its first shipment of Russian oil this year, just days after the government announced it was operating on natural gas, solar power and thermoelectric plants as severe power outages continue to hit it.

FCC approves merger of local television owners Nexstar and Tegna as two lawsuits seek to block it

The Associated Press, NPR

The Federal Communications Commission on Thursday said it had approved the merger of local television giants Nexstar Media Group and rival Tegna, the same day that two lawsuits trying to block the deal were announced.

U.S. Mint can begin to produce Trump commemorative gold coin

The Associated Press, NPR

The vote by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members are supporters of the Republican president, clears the way for the U.S. Mint to begin production on the coin, whose size and denomination are still under discussion.

記者「なぜイラン攻撃を日本に伝えなかった？」 トランプ「逆に問う。なぜ真珠湾攻撃を伝えなかった」

dqnplus, Itainews.com

1 ：：2026/03/20(金) 03:11:38.86 ID:x6rR+y6j0.net Reporter: Why didn’t you inform allies before attacking Iran?Trump: We wanted surprise—who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor? pic.twitter.co...

WATCH: Tens of thousands of bottles of children's ibuprofen have been recalled over the possible presence of a foreign substance.

ABC News, Abcnews.com

Tens of thousands of bottles of children's ibuprofen have been recalled over the possible presence of a foreign substance.

Trump is dismantling democracy at 'unprecedented' speed, global report finds

Frank Langfitt, NPR

Three major new studies on democracy and freedom all find the U.S. is slipping further away from democracy. Leaders of two of those studies say President Trump's goal is to rule as an autocrat.

Trump must ‘take the steering wheel back from the Israelis’ in Iran war

Al Jazeera English

Trita Parsi, argues that US President Trump must not allow Israel to control the war with Iran.

Brazil’s president criticises the US for thinking ‘they own the world’

Al Jazeera English

President of Brazil Lula de Silva criticised the United States’ aggressive foreign policy under President Trump.

An Introduction to the Strait of Hormuz and Its Role in the Longstanding US-Iran Conflict

OC, Openculture.com

Above, you can watch a primer on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passage between Iran and Oman through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply flows. Produced by Vox, the video explains why this chokepoint has long played a central role in tensions betwe…

Pentagon plans to keep National Guard in DC into 2029, 2 US officials say

Steven Beynon, Abcnews.com

Pentagon plans to maintain National Guard's mission in DC until Jan. 20 2029, through the rest of President Donald Trump’s second term, according to two U.S. officials.

WATCH: New York State trooper involved in chain reaction crash during traffic stop

ABC News, Abcnews.com

The trooper in Mamaroneck was injured during a traffic stop when a SUV slammed into his patrol car, pushing it into another vehicle and hitting him. The incident is under investigation.

WATCH: Rhode Island high school hockey team wins state title after deadly ice rink shooting

ABC News, Abcnews.com

David Muir reports on young hockey star Colin Dorgan – who lost his family in the deadly Rhode Island ice rink shooting – scoring a key goal in the game to help his team win in quadruple overtime.

US targets mine-laying vessels in the Strait of Hormuz amid disruption of oil traffic

Chris Boccia, Luis Martinez, Abcnews.com

Pentagon zeroing in on mine-laying vessels that are helping Iran keep a stranglehold on Strait of Hormuz, military leaders said, as markets feel pain from its closure.