U.S. and world news for June 17

Death toll climbs in Israel-Iran conflict

As Israel and Iran trade strikes for a fifth day, the death toll has risen to least 224 people in Iran and 24 people in Israel. Schools in Tehran have been turned into bomb shelters and emergency bases, while citizens seeking to evacuate the capital ahead of Israeli strikes have been stymied by fuel shortages. People in Israel are trying to avoid Iran’s missiles by gathering in bomb shelters where they sit, glued to their phones and TVs, waiting for the latest updates. Amid the escalating conflict, Israel has publicly justified its unprecedented attack as an effort to stop Iran from building a nuclear bomb. However, U.S. intelligence assessments show Iran was not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon and was up to three years away from being able to produce and deliver one to a target.

Trump denies saying Israel-Iran ceasefire talks are underway

President Donald Trump abruptly left the Group of 7 summit in Canada due to “what’s going on in the Middle East,” and directed his national security staff in Washington to meet in the Situation Room. How Trump intends to handle the situation is unclear as he has been sending mixed signals. He posted “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” on his social media platform, but did not explain why. On Monday, he initially signaled his intention not to sign a joint statement calling for de-escalation between Israel and Iran. However, when the G7 leaders released the statement later in the day, an official said it had Trump’s blessing. Trump also told European leaders that discussions were underway to obtain a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Overnight, he took to Truth Social to deny ever saying that.

Senate Republicans release details of their changes to Trump’s spending bill

The Republican-led Senate Finance Committee released its proposal for President Trump’s spending bill on Monday and it includes some notable changes. While the committee wants to keep many of the provisions contained in the legislation that the House approved last month, it is also calling for: Deeper cuts to Medicaid; Raising the debt limit by $5 trillion; Lowering the cap on state and local tax deductions from $40,000 in the House version of the bill back to its current $10,000; Slowing the elimination of some clean energy tax cuts; Lowering the child tax credit from $2,500 to $2,200 but making it permanent; Limiting tax relief on tips and overtime; Making some business tax breaks permanent. Senate Republicans hope to pass their package by next week so the two chambers can work out a final deal to send to President Trump by July 4.

Judge rules Trump can’t cut certain research grants

A federal judge ruled on Monday that it was illegal for the Trump administration to cut certain research grants at the National Institutes of Health because they focused on gender identity, diversity, equity or inclusion. US District Judge William Young called the administration’s process for terminating these grants “arbitrary and capricious.” He also said it was clear that what was behind the government’s actions was “racial discrimination and discrimination against America’s LGBTQ community.” The ruling is expected to be appealed.

MyPillow guy Mike Lindell found guilty of defamation

A federal jury in Colorado has found Mike Lindell guilty of defaming a former employee of Dominion Voting Systems. Eric Coomer, who was the security and product strategy director at the voting equipment company, sued the MyPillow founder and conspiracy theorist for calling him a traitor and accusing him of stealing the 2020 election. Lindell and other allies of President Trump continue to falsely claim that Trump’s 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden was due to widespread fraud and blamed Dominion’s voting machines. The jury awarded Coomer $2.3 million in damages.

Immigration raids continue at farms, restaurants, hotels

The Washington Post reported today that despite public statements that Donald Trump ordered the Department of Homeland Security to stop immigration raids on farms, restaurants and hotels, Homeland Security has issued orders to its various field offices to continue those raids. It’s reported that Homeland Security field offices were instructed yesterday that they must continue the raids on farm, restaurant and hotel worksites despite the administration’s claims that the raids have been curtailed. This follows pressure from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller to increase the number of immigrants arrested each day. Miller wants at least 3,000 people arrested for deportation each day. Donald Trump has called for immigration raids to be focused in cities and states under Democratic control.