A security threat prompted MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, to issue a shelter-in-place order. “A threat was made against MacDill Air Force Base. We take all threats seriously and are taking appropriate measures to prioritize the safety and security of our installation. As a matter of policy, we will not release specifics on what security measures have been implemented,” the base stated on Facebook. #BREAKING MacDill Air Force Base is under a shelter-in-place order over a threat made to the military installation, officials say. https://t.co/4HJZHldJA2 pic.twitter.com/UAuEZPkvcY — WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) March 18, 2026 Newsweek shared further: MacDill is home to U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, making security changes closely watched as the situation develops. The action followed an incident on Monday in which a suspicious package was reported near the Dale Mabry Gate visitor center, leading to traffic diversions and an investigation involving the FBI. Authorities later said that area was cleared, though the investigation remained ongoing. In response to the incidents, MacDill elevated its security posture to Force Protection Condition (FPCON) Charlie, the second‑highest level used by the U.S. military when intelligence or an incident indicates a potential threat to personnel or facilities. Under FPCON Charlie, access to the base is tightened, identification checks are increased and non‑essential movement may be restricted. JUST IN: Bomb techs responding to suspicious package at Macdill Air Force Base (AFB) visitor center in Tampa, Florida, per FBI Tampa. The base is home to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters. pic.twitter.com/kImtXxtg6s — Noteworthy News (@newsnoteworthy) March 16, 2026 “Shelter in place has been lifted and the gates are open and will resume normal FPCON Charlie operations. The threat to MacDill Air Force Base has been cleared and we appreciate everyone’s patience and cooperation. We take all threats seriously and will continue to prioritize the safety and security of our installation, our mission, and our people,” the base said in an update post. WFLA noted: Three U.S. airmen assigned to MacDill were also among the six people killed in a refueling aircraft crash in Iraq, although officials said that the incident was not caused by enemy or friendly fire.

A 23-car train derailment in Texas on Wednesday caused massive traffic delays. “There are major traffic delays around the Richmond area due to a 23-car train derailment on Wednesday morning. Multiple crossings have been closed,” FOX26 Houston reports. There are major traffic delays around the Richmond area due to a 23-car train derailment on Wednesday morning. Multiple crossings have been closed. MORE >>> https://t.co/KvyUE4iq3b pic.twitter.com/sBIl7hHlbH — FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) March 18, 2026 KHOU 11 explained further: The derailment happened along Highway 90 near OakBend Hospital at the Richmond-Rosenberg city limits, prompting a large, multi-agency emergency response. Officials say the train consisted of 147 total railcars, including the 23 that derailed. There have been no reported injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board said it would be sending a team of investigators to Richmond to investigate the derailment. According to officials, the situation is contained and does not pose a threat to the public. Hazmat crews say two railcars carrying ethanol are leaking, while a third railcar containing corn syrup is also leaking but is considered non-hazardous. Ethanol is flammable, but crews say precautions are in place to manage the risk. “Drivers in Rosenberg are facing significant delays Wednesday morning after a 23-car train derailment, according to the Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s Office. Authorities are urging motorists to avoid the area as crews work the scene,” one X user noted. Drivers in Rosenberg are facing significant delays Wednesday morning after a 23-car train derailment, according to the Fort Bend County Fire Marshal’s Office. Authorities are urging motorists to avoid the area as crews work the scene. #trainderailment #BreakingNews pic.twitter.com/tTmhpN8Qww — Tammy Rose (@ABC13Helicopter) March 18, 2026 More from the Associated Press: The derailment happened around 5 a.m. CDT in Richmond, a town of 13,000 people about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Houston. No injuries were reported, Union Pacific spokesperson Robynn Tysver said. Two of the derailed cars began leaking ethanol after the accident, said Fort Bend County Fire Marshal Justin Jurek. Both leaks were later contained, he said. Ethanol, typically made from corn, can be used as a fuel additive. “It is not posing a current threat to the public and air monitoring is ongoing as a precaution. There’s no need for evacuation at this time,” Jurek said.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) confronted Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary nominee Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) over past comments stemming from the time Paul was attacked by his neighbor. “So, today, Markwayne Mullin, I’ll give you a chance. Tell it to my face. Tell the world why you believe I deserved to be assaulted from behind, have six ribs broken, and a damaged lung. Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it,” Paul said. In his statement, Paul accused Mullin of calling him a “freaking snake” and saying he “completely understood why I had been assaulted.” “I just wonder if someone who applauds violence against their political opponents is the right person to lead an agency that has struggled to accept limits to the proper use of force,” Paul continued. “You went on to brag that you had already told me to my face that you completely understood and approved of the assault. Well, that’s a lie,” he said. “You have never had the courage to look me in the eye and tell me the assault was justified. So, today, you’ll have your chance,” Paul continued. “And while you’re at it, explain to the American public why they should trust a man with anger issues to set the proper example for ICE and Border Patrol agents. Explain to the American public how a man who has no regrets about brawling in a Senate committee can set a proper example for over 250,000 men and women who work at the Department of Homeland Security,” he added. Watch below: "So, today, Markwayne Mullin, I’ll give you a chance. Tell it to my face. Tell the world why you believe I deserved to be assaulted from behind, have six ribs broken, and a damaged lung. Tell me to my face why you think I deserved it." pic.twitter.com/wodEs9Hc9O — Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) March 18, 2026 The Hill shared further: Mullin addressed Paul at the top of his opening statement, saying Paul seems to work against the GOP more than he works with them. “I have to address the remarks the chairman made, calling me a liar. Sir, I think everybody in this room knows that I’m very blunt and direct to the point, and if I have something to say, I’ll say it directly to your face. If you recall back in my House days we actually did have this conversation. … I simply addressed that. I said I could understand, because of the behavior you were having, that I can understand why your neighbor did what he did. As far as my terms ‘snake in the grass,’ sir, I work around this room to try to fix problems. I’ve worked with many people in this room. Seems like you fight Republicans more than you work with us,” Mullin said. “And as far as me saying that I invoke violence — I don’t think anybody should be hit by surprise. I don’t like that. But if I do have something to say, everybody in this room knows. I’ll come straight to you, I’ll say it publicly and I’ll say it privately, but I’ll never say it behind your back. So for you to say I’m a liar, sir, that’s not accurate.” Mullin said he hopes they can get past the “political differences we have” and said “I’ve had to really pray about my attitude.” “The truth is, I have a job to do, and I don’t like to fail at anything at all, so I can set it aside. If you’re willing to set it aside, let me earn your respect,” Mullin said. Paul did not back down in his first set of questioning. “You’re unrepentant. The only thing you quibble about is whether I met you somehow when you’re in the House. I don’t think we ever met when you were in the House. And this idea that the only thing you’re upset about is not that you were for violence. What you’re upset about is that I called you a liar because you said it to my face. It’s really more about this machismo that you have,” Paul said. Watch some of the exchange below: RAND PAUL: You offered no apology. And you offer no apology today, and no regrets MARKWAYNE MULLIN: I'm not apologizing for pointing out your character PAUL: You want people to know you supported a felonious, violent attack on me from behind MULLIN: I did not say I supported… pic.twitter.com/K02i3PWIpZ — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 18, 2026 At the hearing, Paul showed footage of Mullin nearly fighting Sean O’Brien, the general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, in a Senate committee. Mullin said he and O’Brien, who sat behind Mullin at his confirmation hearing, had “shaken hands” since the incident. Mullin called O’Brien a “close friend.” Footage below: JUST NOW: Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is going ALL-OUT to try to tank the nomination of Markwayne Mullin to DHS Paul just played a clip where Mullin said "stand your butt up then" in a heated exchange MULLIN: "Both of us have shaken hands [since then] and agreed we could've done… pic.twitter.com/O9VPrULHJ5 — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 18, 2026 According to Fox News congressional correspondent Bill Melugin, Paul blocked Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) from introducing Mullin at his hearing. “Rand Paul has become completely blinded by his hatred of President Trump and petty personal squabbles. His actions today were those of a seething snake—and a hopeless hypocrite. What kind of free speech advocate would bar Senator Mullin’s choice to deliver his introduction from speaking? What kind of Republican would bar a fellow Republican Senator from voicing their support of a colleague? Why is this guy allowed to hold a Republican gavel anymore?” a senior Senate GOP source told the outlet. Three sources familiar now confirm to @FoxNews that Sen. Paul (R-KY) blocked Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) from introducing Mullin at his hearing. Statement to FOX via senior Senate GOP source familiar with the situation: "Rand Paul has become completely blinded by his hatred of… — Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) March 18, 2026 Paul said he would vote ‘nay’ on confirming Mullin as DHS secretary. Watch below: Rand Paul says he’s a no on MarkWayne Mullin: I don't know how he could, from my point of view, be a leader of ICE or border patrol pic.twitter.com/tgd84ZDSX4 — Acyn (@Acyn) March 18, 2026 “If you celebrate assaulting political opponents, you have no business setting the use-of-force standard for 250,000 law enforcement officers,” Paul said. If you celebrate assaulting political opponents, you have no business setting the use-of-force standard for 250,000 law enforcement officers.https://t.co/2u4j88FiAz — Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 18, 2026 Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) defended Mullin, saying he’s a “good man” who talks “from the heart.” “Do you pledge to support and defend the United States of America nearly as much as you would protect and defend your family?” Moreno asked. “Without doubt, sir. Yes,” Mullin responded. “So I’m going to ruin everything for the audience. You will be confirmed. You will have the job and you’re going to make this country safer and better. And for that, I thank you and thank your family for supporting you,” Moreno said. Watch below: BREAKING: After Rand Paul launches attacks on Markwayne Mullin for DHS, Sen. Bernie Moreno RUSHES to his defense "You WILL be confirmed!" "You're a good man…you talk from the heart. And that's okay. You are who you are!" "You don't apologize for being yourself. And… pic.twitter.com/E4HoazEKtR — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 18, 2026 Fox News has more: Mullin acknowledged about Paul, “We just don’t get along,” and saying Paul has “spent millions of dollars in my campaigns against me.” “That doesn’t keep me at all from doing my job,” Mullin continued. “I can have different opinions with everybody in this room, but as secretary of homeland, I’ll be protecting everybody, including Kentucky, as much as I will my own backyard in Oklahoma. “It’s bigger than the partisan bickering that we have. It’s bigger than the political differences we have.” “The truth is, I have a job to do, and I don’t like to fail at anything at all. So I can set it aside, if you’re willing to set it aside. Let me earn your respect. I’m going to earn the job. I won’t fail you. I won’t back down from a challenge. And I’ll also admit when I’m wrong. I’m not perfect. I don’t claim to be perfect. I make mistakes just like anybody else. But mistakes, if you own them, you can learn from them and you can move ahead. And I’ll make that commitment to you.” Paul showed no interest in setting the feud aside.

President Trump has temporarily waived the Jones Act in an attempt to stabilize oil markets amid the Iran war. “The Jones Act requires that the transport of goods between U.S. ports must be conducted by U.S. vessels,” CNBC noted. “President Trump waives Jones Act for 60 days in bid to free up the flow of oil to US ports,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. President Trump waives Jones Act for 60 days in bid to free up the flow of oil to US portshttps://t.co/dq3u5ljxiW — Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 18, 2026 CNBC explained further: The temporary suspension of the Jones Act “will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal to flow freely to U.S. ports for sixty days,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The Trump administration “remains committed to continuing to strengthen our critical supply chains,” Leavitt said. The Jones Act, signed into law in 1920 by then-President Woodrow Wilson, requires that the transport of goods between U.S. ports must be conducted by U.S. vessels. The law was intended as an effort to grow the domestic shipping industry after World War I. The statute has been criticized as a form of protectionism, and some economists have recently argued that it impedes domestic trade. “President Trump’s decision to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver is just another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market as the U.S. military continues meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury,” Leavitt said. President Trump’s decision to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver is just another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market as the U.S. military continues meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury. This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural… https://t.co/q6xu36exzy — Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 18, 2026 Fox Business has more: The war with Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil chokepoint that sees ships carry about a fifth of the world’s oil out of the Gulf region. Iran’s stranglehold and threats to ships in the narrow passageway has sent oil prices above $100 per barrel. Proponents of the Jones Act claim it beefs up national security, prevents foreign countries from accessing the U.S. and protects the American shipbuilding sector. Critics, however, argue that the 1920s law is outdated and hampers competitiveness in the industry while driving up shipbuilding costs. “We are deeply concerned about this 60-day, broad waiver being abused and unnecessarily displacing American workers and American companies,” the American Maritime Partnership told FOX Business in a statement on Wednesday. “The law sets a high bar: this waiver exists solely to address an immediate threat to military operations, not to displace American workers or reward foreign operators. Every vessel movement under this waiver must be publicly disclosed and justified according to federal law. We will be watching closely — and so will the American public.” “We also reiterate that this waiver will not reduce gas prices,” it said. “The maximum potential impact of domestic shipping on the cost of gasoline nationwide is less than one penny per gallon.” Even with oil prices surging and appeals from Trump and Washington, U.S. allies are declining to take part in military efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

This is what true leaders sound like. President Trump, while taking questions inside the White House on Tuesday, was asked if he’s afraid that if he sends boots on the ground, it will turn out to be another Vietnam. In response to the baited question, President Trump answered, “I’m not afraid of anything.” The Independent reported more on Trump’s remarks: Donald Trump has said that he is “not afraid” that the conflict in Iran could turn into another Vietnam War. Speaking in the Oval Office alongside Ireland’s Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, on Tuesday (17 March), the US president was questioned by a reporter on the possibility of repeating history if American troops were deployed to Tehran. “I’m not afraid of anything,” he replied. Iran’s deputy foreign minister has said that the US could risk another deadly war if troops are deployed. Saeed Khatibzadeh told Sky News: “Just read what happened in Vietnam.” Whilst Mr Trump said on 6 March that launching a ground invasion of Tehran would be a “waste of time”, a day later he said troops on the ground would be a “great thing.” Watch here: