Protect Democracy

Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a US-backed 15-point peace plan for Gaza, insisting on full Hamas disarmament and rebuking US pressure regarding wars in Lebanon and Iran. Tensions remain high in the Middle East, as Iran issued demands for reopening the strait of Hormuz following reports that the UAE was targeted by an Iranian missile. Separately, Donald Trump made rhetorical attacks on voting machine integrity while imploring Congress to pass the Save America Act nationwide.

Bill Pulte, the acting director of national intelligence, faces legal challenges over his eligibility for the role, as the law designates Aaron Lukas, the principal deputy director, as the rightful acting director. Pulte, a Trump loyalist without national-security experience, is reportedly firing senior intelligence personnel and considering structural changes to the intelligence community, which could face legal and bureaucratic resistance.

Tech researchers are suing the Trump administration over a visa restriction policy announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio targeting foreign researchers working on online safety and content moderation. The Coalition for Independent Technology Research argues the policy is unconstitutional and has a chilling effect on free speech and due process rights, while the government claims it targets conduct facilitating foreign censorship rather than speech itself.