President Donald Trump and a number in his administration have suggested that Democrats and media were actively rooting for the United States to lose the war with Iran — and one New York Times columnist gave a striking example of that during a Saturday interview on CNN. Foreign affairs columnist Thomas Friedman admitted that he felt torn over fully backing the United States in the ongoing Operation Epic Fury, saying that he wanted the Iranian regime to fall but that he wasn’t sure it was worth the cost of elevating President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Friedman told CNN host Micheal Smerconish that he was all for the end of the Iranian regime, but that it was the likelihood the credit — and with that credit, political capital — would go to Trump and Netanyahu that gave him pause. WATCH: Don’t want Iran to lose if it means Trump wins. @TomFriedman of @NYTimes really wants “to see Iran defeated militarily because this regime is a terrible regime for its people and the region,” but on CNN’s @Smerconish he fretted “the problem is I really don’t want to see Bibi… pic.twitter.com/rgPngGXkGc — Brent Baker

Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman admitted to stealing one very important item from the capsule as he and his teammates disembarked the Orion capsule after Friday’s splashdown in the Pacific Ocean: the crew’s zero-gravity indicator. The little plush ball, nicknamed “Rise” and made to look like the iconic “earth-rise” over the moon that can only be seen from space, was featured alongside the human crew members throughout the Artemis II lunar mission and had, in effect, become part of the team. Rise could be seen in a photo of Wiseman after he left the capsule, prompting a comment on X that read, “It’s very moving to me that Commander Reid Wiseman, the last of the #ArtemisII astronauts to exit Integrity, made sure to bring the plushie Rise — and the 5 million names it carries — back with him immediately upon landing. Every one of those names completed the mission with him.” Wiseman responded, saying, “I was supposed to leave Rise in Integrity … but that was not something I was going to do. I stuffed that little guy in a dry bag we had in our survival kit and hooked the bag onto my pressure suit.” I was supposed to leave Rise in Integrity….but that was not something I was going to do. I stuffed that little guy in a dry bag we had in our survival kit and hooked the bag onto my pressure suit. — Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) April 11, 2026 Wiseman followed that with another photo later on, reassuring fans that Rise was still safe and in his custody. “PS- it’s hard not to love this little guy. I cant let Rise out of my sight…currently tethered to my water bottle,” he said. 8-year-old Lucas Ye designed Rise, the mascot for the Artemis II mission.pic.twitter.com/7hZOJLuz0i — Cinema Hub (@_CinemaHub_) April 11, 2026 In addition to functioning as the team’s zero-gravity indicator throughout the mission, Rise also carried the names of millions of people on earth as the team traveled farther from earth than anyone in history. Hi Rise!

Rudy Giuliani is sharply criticizing New York City politics and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, arguing that the city he once led is moving away from the reforms and identity he fought to build during his tenure as mayor. Speaking in on “Pod Force One”, Giuliani said his reaction to the current direction of the city is emotional and personal, describing it as “heartbroken” and rooted in decades of attachment to New York.

Pressure is rapidly mounting on Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) as members of his own party increasingly join Republicans in calling for his resignation, or even expulsion, amid a growing sexual misconduct scandal and an active criminal investigation. A growing number of House lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are now openly discussing removing Swalwell from office — a rare moment of bipartisan alignment on Capitol Hill. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Byron Donalds (R-FL) made clear he would support expulsion if the issue comes to a vote. “[If] that vote comes to the floor, I will be voting yes on both measures. These allegations are despicable and they demean the integrity of Congress,” Donalds said. “These things are just completely unacceptable… both gentlemen need to go home.” That sentiment is now being echoed by prominent Democrats. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) also said she would support expulsion, on “Meet the Press,” emphasizing that the issue transcends party lines. “This is not a partisan issue,” Jayapal said. “This is clearly a pattern … and I think we have to hold everybody accountable.” Meanwhile, Ro Khanna (D-CA) has called directly for Swalwell to resign, framing the controversy as part of a broader cultural issue within Congress. “I believe that he should resign,” Khanna said on Fox News Sunday. “And whatever in terms of the House has to happen should happen… This shouldn’t be about politics… anyone who abuses staffers should not be in the United States Congress.” Khanna also stressed the importance of setting a standard for congressional staffers, arguing that lawmakers must demonstrate that “their bosses don’t get to do this to them.” The criticism has extended beyond television appearances and into direct calls from colleagues. Jared Huffman wrote on social media that he has “seen enough,” arguing that Swalwell’s own public defense “all but admits a per se abuse of power under House ethics rules.” “He must now drop out of the Governor’s race and resign from Congress,” Huffman wrote on X, adding that he would support a vote to expel Swalwell if he refuses to step down. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, issued a forceful statement to X on Sunday, calling for both Swalwell and Tony Gonzales (R-TX) to step down. “Men in power rely on the silence of the women they have abused,” Leger Fernández said. “Both Reps. Gonzales and Swalwell believed it was acceptable to sexually abuse staff and still run for and serve in elected office. They clearly did not expect there would be any consequences for their actions.” She continued by highlighting the vulnerability of congressional staffers, saying they were “preyed upon” despite their commitment to public service. “These women have suffered enough. Now we must act to protect them and make sure there is accountability,” she said. “Reps. Gonzales and Swalwell are not fit to serve. They must resign. If they do not, I will vote to expel them.” The growing backlash comes after multiple reports detailing allegations against Swalwell. A woman first accused him of sexual assault on Friday, and within hours, three more women came forward with additional claims ranging from harassment to sending unsolicited explicit images. Swalwell has denied all allegations, calling them “absolutely false” and vowing to fight them. The situation has already triggered a criminal inquiry by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which is investigating claims that include an alleged assault involving a former staffer in New York City in 2024. At the same time, Democratic leadership has begun to distance itself, though not all have gone as far as calling for resignation from Congress. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) urged Swalwell to end his gubernatorial campaign, stopping short of demanding he leave office entirely. The controversy has also drawn comparisons to Gonzales, a Republican facing his own misconduct allegations. Lawmakers in both parties have increasingly linked the two cases, calling for equal accountability regardless of party affiliation. Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), says she intends to inquire with the house parliamentarian to pair her resolution to expel Swalwell with Gonzalez. They would be the seventh and eighth expulsions in the history of the house, while only the fourth and fifth since the civil war. The most recent expulsion was George Santos in 2023. Even as Swalwell remains defiant, insisting the allegations are politically motivated, the political reality around him appears to be shifting quickly. With allies stepping away, leadership urging him out of the governor’s race, and a bipartisan bloc now openly discussing expulsion, the congressman is facing the most serious threat to his career since entering public office.  Whether that pressure ultimately forces him from Congress, or triggers a historic expulsion vote will be determined in the days ahead.

President Donald Trump said Iran’s refusal to abandon its nuclear program has forced the United States into a more aggressive posture following marathon trilateral talks in Islamabad, including a planned naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The comments, delivered in a pair of posts on Truth Social, come after more than 20 hours of negotiations involving U.S., Iranian, and Pakistani officials. Trump said the talks produced movement on several fronts but ultimately broke down over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. “Iran is unwilling to give up its nuclear ambitions,” Trump wrote, reiterating his long-standing position that the regime will never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. He doubled down on that position during a phone interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, explaining that he was standing firm on that particular point because “I think they would use it.” “It’s the easiest question you’ve asked me so far. They can’t have nuclear weapons,” says @POTUS on why Operation Epic Fury was critical. “I think they would use it.” pic.twitter.com/MYupnZKyr5 — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 12, 2026 According to Trump, he was briefed following the talks by Vice President JD Vance, along with senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. He also praised Pakistan’s leadership, specifically Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and military chief Asim Munir, calling them “very extraordinary men” and crediting them with helping facilitate the talks. Trump said the negotiations stretched “throughout the night,” and suggested that while some secondary issues saw progress, none of it mattered given Iran’s position on nuclear development. He added that U.S. negotiators had developed a cordial working relationship with Iranian counterparts during the talks, but dismissed that as irrelevant to the outcome. “My representatives became … very friendly and respectful … but that doesn’t matter,” Trump wrote, emphasizing that Iran remained “unyielding” on the nuclear issue. Trump also sharply criticized Iran’s conduct in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the regime of reneging on commitments to keep the critical waterway open. He said even claims that mines “may” be present were enough to paralyze global shipping markets, describing the situation as causing “anxiety, dislocation, and pain” for countries dependent on the route. “They knowingly failed,” Trump wrote. “There is great dishonor and permanent harm to the reputation of Iran.” In response, Trump announced that the United States will move forward with a naval blockade. “Effective immediately, the United States Navy… will begin the process of blockading any and all ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. The administration also plans to interdict vessels suspected of paying what Trump described as illegal tolls to Iran, while deploying forces to locate and destroy any mines in the waterway. Trump said no vessel that cooperates with Iran’s demands would be guaranteed safe passage. He framed the move as both an economic and military response, warning that the United States is prepared to escalate further if necessary. “We are fully locked and loaded,” Trump wrote, adding that any Iranian forces that engage U.S. ships or commercial vessels would be “blown to hell.” Trump reiterated, during an appearance by phone on “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News, that Iran’s military capabilities have already been significantly degraded, asserting that much of its naval and air power is “gone.” He warned that continued defiance on the nuclear issue would only worsen Tehran’s position. “They came in like they had the cards, but they don’t have the cards. Their army and their whole military is obliterated. The whole place is obliterated,” Trump explained. .@POTUS on the Iranians: “They came in like they had the cards, but they don’t have the cards. Their army and their whole military is obliterated. The whole place is obliterated.” pic.twitter.com/6nonjAOnqx — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 12, 2026 The blockade, which Trump said will begin “shortly” and involve additional countries, marks a significant escalation following the Islamabad talks and underscores how little ground was gained on the core issue driving the conflict. For all the latest Iran news, follow The Daily Wire’s live blog.