Presumptuous Politics

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

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US Officially Resumes Naval Blockade of Iranian Ports

The U.S. resumed its naval blockade of Iranian ports, oil terminals, and coastal areas Tuesday as hostilities flared following the collapse of a memorandum of understanding signed between the adversaries last month.

The blockade applies to vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports regardless of the flag they fly.

"U.S. forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas today at 4 p.m. ET," U.S. Central Command wrote on X. "There are currently more than 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East. American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready."

The blockade resumed as the U.S. military launched several strikes on Iran and Tehran responded with attacks on U.S. allies in the region.

About an hour before the blockade began, CENTCOM wrote on X that U.S. forces "began launching an additional round of strikes against Iran to continue degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."

"The strikes are taking place as American forces prepare to resume the naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas," CENTCOM wrote.

CENTCOM said in another X post that U.S. forces struck several areas in Iran during a five-hour mission Monday night.

"U.S. forces successfully struck military targets across Iran including Bushehr, Chabahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas to further degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping," CENTCOM said.

"CENTCOM forces employed precision munitions against Iranian coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites, and maritime capabilities," it added.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said earlier Tuesday that it struck "two non-compliant" supertankers in the strait, according to the state-run Mehr News Agency. Iran also said it launched missiles and drones at U.S. military infrastructure in Bahrain, where the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet is stationed, and U.S. military outposts in Jordan.

The United Arab Emirates' Defense Ministry said two Emirati-owned tankers were targeted by Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the strait's shipping lane in Omani waters. One person was killed.

Bahraini authorities sounded sirens and urged residents to seek shelter. Jordanian state media said the country's air defenses intercepted four Iranian missiles early Tuesday as they entered its airspace.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi accused Washington on Tuesday of trying to prevent Tehran from exercising what he called "effective sovereignty" over the Strait of Hormuz.

"The passage of vessels is not important to the U.S. The U.S. is not dependent on the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump has announced it many times," Gharibabadi said in an interview aired by Iran's state broadcaster.

The U.S. first imposed the blockade April 13 and lifted it June 18, a day after the MOU was signed. As part of the deal, Iran guaranteed commercial vessels safe passage through the strait without charging tolls and committed not to develop a nuclear weapon or advance its nuclear program during the 60-day period. In exchange, the U.S. agreed to lift oil sanctions and end the naval blockade.

The U.S. considers the Strait of Hormuz an international waterway where vessels have a right of transit passage. Tehran, however, has asserted control over the vital chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world's traded crude oil and natural gas passed before the war.

Tehran has insisted that ships obtain permission and follow approved routes. Iran has attacked ships it said failed to comply with its orders and at times has declared the strait closed.

President Donald Trump warned Tuesday that the United States would strike bridges and power plants in Iran "next week" unless Tehran returns to the negotiating table.

"We're going to hit them very hard tomorrow night. We're going to hit them very hard the night after, and then next week it gets really bad for them, because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges. We're going to knock out all their power plants. We're going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate," Trump said, according to CNN.

On Monday, Iranian Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akrami-Nia warned the U.S. that no measure of aggression would force the reopening of the strait.

"The aggressive and corrupt president of the United States must learn to respect international law, the rights of nations and the dignity of peoples. As we have previously stated, the Strait of Hormuz will never be reopened through war, hostility, or acts of aggression by the United States," Akrami-Nia said, according to state-run Press TV.

Michael Katz ✉

Michael Katz is a Newsmax reporter with more than 30 years of experience reporting and editing on news, culture, and politics.

Like a Boss: Brandon Gill Ends an Ayanna Pressley Rant on Women's Rights With One Perfect Question

Any day that Democrat Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) can get shut down by a Republican colleague is a good day. Tuesday was a good day.

The House Oversight Committee Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses held a hearing on "Combating DEI in American Institutions." The task force's chairman, Republican Rep. Brandon Gill (TX-26), kicked things off in his opening statement by noting that "DEI is, by its very nature, an affront to the principles and ideals that define our great nation and a rejection of the progress our predecessors made in ensuring civil rights protections for all Americans."

Gill also correctly pointed out that "DEI represents a conscious effort to specifically judge people by the color of their skin and other immutable characteristics. Not only is this an utterly disgusting and racist ideology, but it is also a clear violation of the Constitution and federal law."

For her part, the woke Squad member used her time to spout off canned talking points that essentially implied that Republican opposition to DEI practices equated to them hating black people, brown people, women, etc.

At one point, Pressley obnoxiously brought up the fact that all House Democrats had signed on to support legislation she introduced to "add the Equal Rights Amendment as the 28th Amendment, enshrining it as the law of this land," but that no Republicans had. Pressley's point, again, was to suggest, as Democrats often do, that they are the true party of respecting and protecting women.

But Gill was able to shut down Pressley's talking points by asking one simple question:

Gill: “Thank you, Congresswoman. I’d be happy to look at your Equal Rights Amendment, and read through it. I guess my biggest question was does it define what a woman is?”
Pressley: “I look forward to your signing on.”
Gill: We’ll take a look at it.
Pressley: “I look forward to your signing on.”
Gill: “I just was hoping for some analytical clarity, but thank you. We’ll take a look at it.”

This honestly should be the default answer anytime Democrats start yada yadaing about "women's rights" allegedly being "under assault" by Republicans. Because in reality, the biggest assault is coming from radical leftists like Pressley who are undermining everything early feminists fought for in this country by pretending that a man who identifies as a woman can actually be a woman, allowing them to invade women's sports, locker rooms, dressing rooms, bathrooms, etc, all in the name of "gender equality."

Absolutely disgraceful. Thank God this un-American garbage is being exposed for the rot that it is.

Seriously? Sacramento Deploys Climate Cops to Rifle Through Your Garbage Cans Like Common Thieves

Sacramento is set to deploy its shiny new Climate Cops to start rifling through residents’ garbage cans like common thieves—because the world will end in chaos and despair if not for your improperly sorted banana peels ... or something.

Now, I'm not going to lie. When I first came upon this story, I thought I had waded into Babylon Bee territory here. But nay, this is real. Garbage in, garbage out, taken to new, ridiculous levels in Sactown.

Why is this happening? Well, pull up your little hemp yoga mat and let me tell you a little tale.

Under California’s SB 1383 climate law, city crews will spend the next several months prying open thousands of curbside bins, rifling through Hefty bags, snapping photos, and leaving passive-aggressive tags that will either admonish the homeowner or give them a pat on the head.

Upon waking the next morning, you might find your trash bins bearing a "Great job!" sticker. Or, if you're one of the heathens who put their coffee grounds in with the regular trash, you might earn yourself a "Let's sort this out" tag.

Shocker: Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Hide Contract and Bids for His Diaper Boondoggle

It's hard to believe that news segment is real and not something from The Daily Show or Saturday Night Live. Residents will be treated as if they're back in Kindergarten in River City.

Don't believe me? Check out one of the tags from CalRecycle, which features a cartoon of trash and recycling bin characters, Big Blue and Binnie, who try to entice customers with prizes. Your very old Gold Star!

Is this even real life anymore? Don't worry, officials are almost certainly working tirelessly behind the scenes to address the city's high crime and homelessness problem. It's just that the trash is more important right now.

Under SB 1383, cities and counties are legally required to run "contamination monitoring" programs to ensure folks are sorting their waste correctly. Jesa David, a city representative, explained that the city has actually conducted this type of review in the past in an interview with KCRA 3.

"We conducted the same reviews last June, and we found high contamination levels of, you know, issues like plastic bags in recycling, garbage in the organics," she said.

"Any container that we touch will either get a 'great job' tag or a 'let's sort this out' tag," David added. "But either way, we want to provide education and make sure everyone knows the resources that they have available to sort their waste correctly."

"When you sort your waste incorrectly, it does cost us more to dispose of it."

Okay, Captain Compost.

After taking pictures of your garbage, CalRecycle explains that the law requires they "educate residents and businesses if there is contamination identified in their containers on the route reviews."

Like I said, back-to-school time.

Crews will actually have badges to identify themselves as garbage inspectors. Their super-spiffy uniforms will also include high-visibility vests. Mall cops are going to point and laugh at these people.

Residents won't have to worry too much, though, as fines will not be levied for offenders. Yet, anyway. You just know it's coming.

A Trump Voter Might Back a Dem Gov Candidate Over This Issue That Could Blindside Both Parties

We’ve extensively discussed how the Trump coalition is not reliably Republican. They can and will vote for Democrats, just as they did in the 2018 midterms, and a significant part of the base considers themselves economically progressive. These individuals are similar to the old Ross Perot voters, so, to the surprise of the political elite, Republicans need to actively work to retain their votes. Otherwise, they might shift toward interesting alternatives, such as Francesca Hong, who’s running for governor in Wisconsin.

Hong identifies as a democratic socialist, so why is she gaining support from Trump supporters? This is an issue expected to grow in importance in future elections, and we’re already seeing early signs. It’s subtle, but locally, it’s becoming part of the bigger conversation—specifically, data centers. Hong has made campaigning for a statewide moratorium a key focus. The New York Times published an interesting piece on July 3, discussing Hong’s messaging to those outside her usual voter base. People, she has appeal. It’s not certain she will win the crowded Democratic primary on August 11, but Hong is making every effort to attract support across party lines. She has built bridges with Trump supporters, and love her or hate her, her story resonates with millions: she’s a working American, a chef by trade, her restaurant failed, she sank deep into debt and got sued over it. It’s a life experience not exactly alien to most (via NYT):

Jeff Hanneman was infuriated to learn about a proposal this spring to build a 220-acre data center on the site of a shuttered paper mill near his house in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.

Worried that the project would pollute the tranquil waters of the nearby Wisconsin River, Mr. Hanneman, 43, planted a “No Data Center” sign in his yard. And, although he’s a Republican who voted for President Trump, he decided to support a democratic socialist who has called for a pause in data center construction and is running for governor.
“I really don’t think or care about the label,” said Mr. Hanneman, who planted a “Francesca Hong for Governor” yard sign next to the other one. “If she was voted into office, she could do a lot of good things for our state.”

[…]
… she attended Musky Fest, a celebration honoring local fishing tradition in rural Hayward, where revelers crowned the Little Miss Musky Queen. Musky is a nickname for muskellunge, a freshwater fish.
Ms. Hong struck up a conversation with Robert Olson, who sported a “Trump 2028” hat, and they found common ground on issues including mental health services and teacher salaries. “I feel like I’m talking to my people!” she exclaimed.
When Mr. Olson, 74, made light of transgender people, Ms. Hong stared at the ground and smiled slightly before pivoting to safer topics. After she walked away, Mr. Olson seemed impressed. He swore he would consider voting for her, even after learning about her political leanings.

“She’s got her mind on the issues,” he said. “And she never said what party she’s with, which to me isn’t that important.”
Ms. Hong also charmed Bob and Pam Boesch, who were selling decorated gourds under a tent — and who agreed with her about the need for affordable housing.
Informed later that Ms. Hong was a democratic socialist, Ms. Boesch, 71, struggled to square that with their conversation.
“Oh, really? Wow, being as sensible as she is, too,” Ms. Boesch said. She said she would probably vote for Representative Tom Tiffany, the likely Republican nominee.
[…]
Ms. Hong’s best pitch to Republicans might be her opposition to the data centers that are powering the artificial intelligence boom, and that residents fear are gobbling up land, water, electricity and tax breaks while offering little in return.
Some have argued that the centers could rejuvenate communities hollowed out by manufacturing declines, and the construction industry has celebrated new job opportunities. But 70 percent of Wisconsin residents, including 55 percent of Republicans, agree that the costs of data centers outweigh the benefits, according to another Marquette Law Poll from February.
[…]
Ms. Hong was the only Democratic candidate at a forum last month to express support for a one-year moratorium on data center construction, a plan she calls “Control-Alt-Delete.” (Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, a Democrat and another leading contender, has now also called for a pause until regulations are in place, while a third, current Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, has advocated more regulation but not a blanket moratorium.)
Ms. Hong believes that voters of all stripes are fed up with the economic imbalance that the data center issue raises.
“It’s a way to start talking about corporate greed and corporate control,” she said in an interview. “Wisconsin is not for sale to Big Tech.”
Many Wisconsinites agree. In Wisconsin Rapids, the plan for the data center appears to be on pause, and activists are working to kill it for good. One of them, Marissa Johnson, 42, an independent voter who hasn’t made up her mind yet on the governor’s race, said the issue was resonating so strongly that she had heard both Democrats and Republicans in town talking about voting for Ms. Hong.

There’s still a way to go, and nothing is final here regarding Hong. If she clinches the nomination, it will be another political earthquake, as socialists are winning key races in New York, Colorado, and potentially Michigan. It’s no longer just a local deep-blue enclave thing; it’s out of the basement now. That’s the Hong question: if Badger voters are willing to overlook the socialist label?

But right now, the underreported issue of data centers is causing local voters from both parties to become upset. If enough people get angry, it could cause many voters to ignore labels and party ties. Heck, one—Hanneman in the NYTimes piece, has already done so.

There are other matters too, attached to data centers, like eminent-domain seizures of homes for these facilities, the impact on the grid, and whether it can handle the stress. Also, the spike in electricity bills for residents in the area could be devastating to fixed-income seniors.

It’s brewing, folks. And I don’t think either party is ready for that conversation.

Elena Kagan Revealed How Lindsey Graham Sealed Her Confirmation to the Supreme Court

Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett testified before the House and Senate yesterday, discussing the court’s budget, though security issues were also raised. During their appearance before a House Appropriations subcommittee, Justice Kagan wanted to speak about the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who died suddenly last Saturday night after a trip from Ukraine.

Graham was one of the few Republicans to vote for Kagan’s confirmation. She spoke at length about how Graham gave her a fair shake, took the time to get to know her, and addressed the legal matters. She also brought up the now widely circulated exchange from her 2010 confirmation hearing, where he asked her what she did on Christmas the year before. Thinking it was a legal question, Graham simply wanted to know what she did.

Kagan cracked up before saying, “Like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant."

Justice Kagan admitted that’s what many say to her was the moment her confirmation was sealed.

Kagan offered her condolences and admitted she didn’t know Sen. Graham as well as many others who had expressed their heartfelt goodbyes over the past few days, but she understood why so many felt that way about him.

She might fall on the wrong side of legal matters, but that was pure class, Justice Kagan.

Trump tells GOP Senators to lock in Blanche votes before testimony

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks as US President Donald Trump listens during a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC.

President Donald Trump is encouraging every Republican senator to confirm Todd Blanche as United States attorney general ahead of his confirmation hearings this upcoming week.

Blanche, who was sworn in as acting attorney general following the ousting of Pam Bondi in April, is scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and Thursday. However, the acting attorney general is facing significant pushback from Democrats, who are reportedly opposed to his confirmation.

Over the past week President Trump has reinstated his ongoing support and trust in Blanche, and on Tuesday posted a statement on Truth Social declaring that Blanche has done a “PHENOMENAL job.”

“Todd Blanche is doing a PHENOMENAL job as Acting Attorney General of the United States, the president wrote. “Under Todd’s incredible leadership at DOJ, Murder is down to the LOWEST level since 1900, and we just saw the biggest one year drop in RECORDED HISTORY. Violent Crime arrests are UP 100%. Robberies, Carjackings, and Assaults, are all CRASHING.”
“More than 500 million deadly doses of Drugs have already been seized, saving countless innocent lives,” he continued. “This is what happens when you unleash LAW AND ORDER on our streets, instead of protecting vicious Criminal Thugs, and releasing dangerous Illegal Aliens into our Communities like the Dumocrats did for four disastrous years under Sleepy Joe Biden.”
“Todd has fought hard for Religious Liberty, ended the Weaponization of our Justice System, protected FREE SPEECH, kept Men OUT of Women’s Sports, strengthened Election Integrity, and gone to all-out-WAR against Fraud like nobody in the History of the Department of Justice. He is tough, brilliant, and 100% LOYAL to our Constitution, and the American People.”
“When the Corrupt Biden “Injustice” Department and Radical Left Prosecutors tried to throw me in jail, and interfered in our Historic 2024 Presidential Campaign, Todd stood by my side and fought off the Lawfare. He is a great lawyer, always very fair, and every Republican Senator should vote to CONFIRM Todd Blanche, ASAP!” Trump said.

Blanche is set to face interrogation from Senate Democrats targeting the “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” according to the Daily Wire.

Meanwhile, the Republican majority on the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to push Blanche as well, including Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who revealed they have plans to probe him at the hearing.

GOP members are anticipated to press Blanche to end mail-order distribution of chemical abortion drugs, while also demanding strict oversight regarding the IRS settlement over the illegal leak of the president’s tax returns.

Ultimately, Blanche is expected to have a long day on Wednesday, when he enters the Senate at 9:00 a.m. E.T. to begin his confirmation hearing.

Dr. Phil to Pentagon: Release UFO Files or Lose Public Trust

Newsmax aired a blunt reaction when the Pentagon’s latest PURSUE files landed: Dr. Phil told viewers the public “deserves answers” and that secrecy only “creates anxiety.” That reaction should land like a splash of cold water on anyone who still trusts that government silence equals safety. The fourth tranche of declassified UAP/UFO files is a real story, and it needs scrutiny — not spin.

What PURSUE Release 04 actually contains

The Pentagon’s rolling declassification under the PURSUE program has put a new batch of files into the public square. Release 04 mixes old Cold War-era files with modern sensor footage: think STS‑80 Space Shuttle photos showing unexplained objects in low Earth orbit, infrared videos from military platforms over places like the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, and historical Project Sign/Blue Book-era notes. That is the sort of mix that fuels both serious questions and wild headlines.

Yes, the files are raw. That matters. Raw sensor videos and decades-old paperwork can be ambiguous. But ambiguity is not an excuse for secrecy. The public should get clear, expert-driven analysis alongside the raw files so people don’t have to guess at motives, capabilities, or risks.

Why secrecy breeds suspicion — and why Dr. Phil’s voice matters

When a familiar TV figure says “the public deserves answers,” it underlines how broad this concern is. Ordinary Americans don’t care about turf wars inside an alphabet soup of agencies. They care about safety, truth, and whether their government is telling them what it knows. Secrecy by default looks like cover-up by default — and that is how trust erodes.

Conservatives should be clear-eyed here. This is not about tabloid thrills. Unidentified aerial phenomena can raise real national security and aviation-safety issues. If there are sensor anomalies, hostile probes, or even just flawed equipment, those are problems that demand oversight, not PR spin. Meanwhile, if some files hint at historical missteps or bureaucratic stonewalling, Congress should ask the hard questions.

What to watch next — transparency, oversight, and common sense

We need three things: responsible transparency, technical analysis, and real oversight. Responsible transparency means releasing files with clear context or pairing raw files with rapid expert review. Technical analysis means bringing in aviation-safety experts and sensor forensics to say what the videos actually show — no mystery theater. Oversight means Congress and independent watchdogs pushing for answers and for whistleblower protections where needed.

In short: don’t let the bureaucracy treat national curiosity like a game of hide-and-seek. If the government wants to keep secrets for legitimate national-security reasons, fine — but it should clearly say why. If it can’t justify the secrecy, then release the files, explain them, and stop feeding the rumor mill. Dr. Phil’s blunt line on Newsmax is a reminder: the American people are tired of being left in the dark, and that tiredness has consequences for trust in government.

Elon Musk: California-Style Elections Could Mean One-Party Rule

Elon Musk’s short direct message — amplified by Dave Rubin — lit up conservative feeds this week. In it, Musk warns that “California-style” elections could become the national norm and that America risks sliding into one-party rule if voters don’t demand change. Love him or hate him, Musk can make a point land with a single line, and conservatives should be listening instead of reflexively rolling their eyes.

Why Musk’s Warning Went Viral

Dave Rubin put the clip on his show and it spread fast across right-leaning networks. Musk’s line — that “this will be the last election” if certain outcomes stand — is dramatic. So is his claim that California has already moved toward one-party rule. Those sweeping words tap into deep, partisan fears: slow mail‑ballot counts, late swings in big-city races, and headlines about oddities in local contests. Whether you think Musk is being prophetic or theatrical, the clip forced a conversation that many in the GOP have been wanting to have for years.

What’s Actually Happening in California Elections?

Let’s be clear: California’s election processes do look different than in much of America. The state uses widespread mail ballots, signature checks, and staggered reporting that can produce late shifts in totals. Those late swings are often explained by how different ballot types are processed and reported, not by grand conspiracies. Still, the slow counts and confusing reporting feed suspicion, and that suspicion matters. Governor Gavin Newsom’s California is a political laboratory for how big-state election rules play out — and conservatives should pay attention when a whole state’s system looks tilted one way.

What Fact‑Checkers Say — And What Conservatives Should Demand

Independent fact‑checkers and election researchers repeatedly find that widespread voter fraud is vanishingly rare. Groups like the Brennan Center and Brookings show fraud at microscopic rates compared with total ballots cast. Fact‑checks have also flagged misstatements about California law. Fine. But conservatives shouldn’t let that become a get‑out‑of‑concern‑free card for the status quo. Perception of unfairness erodes trust. So push for common‑sense reforms: transparent batch reporting, meaningful signature verification, uniform standards for counting timelines, and clear penalties for bad actors who try to buy or bribe petition signers. Those are fixes, not hysteria.

Conclusion: Wake Up — Then Fix It

Musk and Rubin grabbed attention because people sense a risk, and ignoring that feeling is political malpractice. The proper response isn’t to howl that Musk is a menace or to pretend everything is perfect. It’s to demand transparency, faster counts, and rules that protect both access and integrity. If conservatives want to keep their shot at competitive national politics, they can either shrug and complain, or they can push for reforms that restore confidence. I prefer the latter — and I suspect most voters do too.