President Donald Trump’s 22nd week in office has been a tumultuous period marked by escalating tensions in the Middle East and domestic unrest in Los Angeles. The week began with Trump celebrating his 79th birthday and participating in a military parade commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States Army. However, the focus quickly shifted as the president attended the G-7 Summit in Alberta, Canada, where he met with leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
The situation in the Middle East took a dramatic turn when Israel launched preemptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, initiating what the Israeli military called ‘Operation Rising Lion.’ These attacks targeted Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, resulting in the deaths of several top Iranian military leaders. In response, Iran declared the strikes a ‘declaration of war’ and retaliated with missile attacks on Israel, some of which bypassed the Iron Dome defense system, causing damage in the Jewish state.
Trump, who was returning to Washington after the G-7 Summit, emphasized that Iran is ‘very close’ to developing a nuclear weapon. He reiterated his position that Iran ‘should have signed the deal’ he proposed, a stance rooted in his long-standing opposition to Iranian nuclear capabilities. The Trump administration had been in ongoing negotiations with Iran, but the country abruptly pulled out of these talks, leaving the United States without a clear path forward in addressing Iran’s nuclear program.
As the conflict escalated, Trump expressed that the United States has ‘complete and total control of the skies over Iran’ and that the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, has been located. While he stated that Khamenei is ‘an easy target,’ he added that the leader is ‘safe’ in his current location. The president indicated that the United States may consider a military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, albeit with uncertainty about the timing of such an action.
Simultaneously, domestic tensions in Los Angeles continued with anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests. The president ordered the National Guard to assist law enforcement in L.A. amid the violent demonstrations, a move that faced legal challenges. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of Trump, affirming his authority to deploy the National Guard without the governor’s consent. This decision marked a significant shift in executive power, as it was the first time in over six decades that a president had deployed the National Guard without state governor approval.
Vice President JD Vance visited Los Angeles to assess the on-ground situation, meeting with federal law enforcement and Marines stationed in the city. Trump continued his rhetoric on the situation, expressing support for the court’s decision and vowing continued support for law-abiding citizens. As the week unfolded, the administration’s dual focus on the Middle East and domestic issues highlighted the complex geopolitical and domestic challenges facing the Trump administration.