Of War Battles, Court Fights and More – “The Sunday Political Brunch” - April 5, 2026

(Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

It was a busy week of politic s with continued fighting in Iran, major court cases, and there was also some internal infighting at the White House. Let’s “brunch” on all that and more this week.

“War Update” - As the war against Iran continued, Tuesday brought an interesting twist when President Donald Trump indicated he might end the assault, even if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened by Iran. Twenty percent of the world’s oil passes through there. Trump said, "Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done." On that statement, the Dow Jones surged more than 1,000 points. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “One way or another, Iran will no longer have the credible ability to threaten the United States or our allies.” I found that comment troubling, as if she were issuing a double-dare. Usually, the president makes bold assertions like that, and she is more measured in massaging the nuances. But Rep. Adam Smith (D) Washington said he believes Iran still poses a threat, saying, “We are making no progress on that fundamental strategic change.”

“Meaning to Average Folks” – President Trump said in a speech to the nation on Wednesday that the conflict with Iran would be ended “shortly” and the military will “finish the job,” without giving any semblance of a more precise time frame. The politicians can spin it any which way they want, but to people who will be voting in the November midterm elections, there is often a different viewpoint. Despite financial markets bouncing back, oil was still over $110 per gallon. And for the first time since 2022, gas prices in the U.S. exceeded $4 per gallon, up $1.03 from a month ago, according to AAA. Rising fuel prices often lead to higher prices at the grocery store, as the cost of getting goods to market is passed on to customers. Voters also tend not to like long, drawn-out military action. If these surgical strikes end soon, financial markets might stabilize. If not, the president’s own party may pay dearly in November.

“Russia-Cuban Oil” -- Speaking of oil, despite a U.S-led oil blockade of Cuba, the U.S. is allowing a Russian tanker to dock in Cuba to distribute oil. The ship is carrying 730,000 gallons of crude oil and is the first tanker allowed there in three months. Much of Cuba has experienced power outages, when all oil shipments from Venezuela were blocked after the U.S. arrested Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on drug trafficking charges. President Trump has indicated Cuba may be his next target for military action, which has prompted outrage from many in Congress since they have not been consulted.

“Ending Birthright Citizenship” - On the first day of his second term in office, President Trump signed an executive order banning the notion of birthright citizenship as described in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I predicted from the start that the U.S. Supreme Court would upend his ban, perhaps in a 9-0 vote. As we learned from Prohibition, the only way to rescind a Constitutional Amendment is to pass another Amendment, repealing the first one. A presidential executive order won’t do the trick. Now I am willing to bet the vote will be 8 to 1. Justice Clarence Thomas raised the argument that the 14th Amendment was only passed to give citizenship to freed slaves. It’s an interesting argument, but again, I don’t see an executive order as the proper venue for repealing an Amendment. We will know the court’s decision by late June.

“Bondi Bounced” - For the second time in recent weeks, President Trump has fired one of his cabinet members. Attorney General Pam Bondi was ousted, but no official reason was given. Trump even heaped praise on her on Truth Social, saying, “Pam Bondi is a Great American Patriot and a loyal friend, who faithfully served as my Attorney General over the past year.” But privately, Trump was said to be disappointed in Bondi’s failed efforts at prosecuting two of Trump’s biggest foes. Charges were dismissed against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Critics in Congress said Trump and Bondi were “weaponizing” the Justice Department. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D) Maryland, said in a hearing, “You’ve turned the people’s Department of Justice into Trump’s instrument of revenge.” Critics in both parties said Bondi also mishandled much of the investigation of sex traffickers Jeffrey Epstein and his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell. Both were friends of Trump.

“Ballroom Blitz” – A federal court has halted construction of the new East Wing of the White House, after President Trump ordered it to be taken down and replaced. The judge said Congress needs to weigh in on the new construction. But the judge then stayed his ruling for two weeks so Trump could file an appeal. The National Capital Planning Commission voted 8-1 on Thursday to approve Trump’s renovation design. I fully predict this will eventually be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court,

“TSA Gets Paid” – Lines eased at many U.S. airports after TSA agents were given back pay, and lots of them returned. Still, there is no permanent funding from Congress, and certain hub airports, such as Atlanta and New York LaGuardia, are still experiencing delays. As with issues related to the war, the more unsettled the public becomes, the more likely there could be a backlash in the November midterm elections.

“Trump Airport” – Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) Florida, has signed a bill into law that will rename the Palm Beach International Airport to the Donald Trump International Airport. It is where he normally flies into his Mar-A-Lago estate. The five-mile road from the airport to his home has already been named the Donald J. Trump Boulevard. The airport name change must still be approved by Congress and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but with Republicans in control of both, the name change should be in effect by July 1, 2026. Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D) Tampa, said in a statement, "Your money is being used to celebrate the man who caused gas prices to rise over four dollars a gallon, grocery costs to shoot up, and health care prices to spike.” But State Rep. Meg Weinberger (R) Palm Beach, said, “This is more than a name change; it’s a tribute to leadership, legacy, and love of country right here in his hometown."

“Trump Presidential Museum” – President Trump has released a video depicting what he and his family are planning for his presidential museum once he leaves office. It will be a waterfront skyscraper in downtown Miami, resembling New York’s Freedom Tower. As with so many Trump properties, it will feature the Trump name in large, bold letters. Son Eric Trump said it will be “one of the most beautiful buildings ever built.” The project is not without controversy and legal battling. The Miami-Dade College donated the 3-acre site to Trump for free. The land is valued at $67 million dollars. One person protesting at the site recently carried a sign that read, “Gift or Grift? Another Trump-DeSantis Shakedown.”

“Trump Dollar Protest” – Along the theme of Trump naming things for himself, there is a funny protest to one naming. As I have previously noted, the Treasury Department has approved Trump’s signature to be put on all new paper currency printed for the rest of his term. Attorney Teresa Toriseva, who is 1st Vice Chair of the West Virginia Democratic Party, has been sharing a meme online that reads, “If you get a dollar bill with Trump’s name on it, black it out with Sharpie. He prefers his name redacted.” That, of course, is a reference to Trump’s name appearing often in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking files.

“WV ICE Policy” - Having worked in West Virginia for a decade, I can tell you it is one of the most “law-and-order” states in the country, and is politically “bright red.” That said, the state has announced it will no longer jail migrants who are in civil violation of the immigration laws. More than 650 detainees were jailed this year, but there is a competing problem as well. West Virginia jails are still packed solid due to the region’s opioid epidemic. There was no more room. ICE was paying the state $90 per inmate, per day. Then there were also legal defeats. U.S. District Court Judge Goodwin Joseph Goodwin has released numerous detainees, saying their rights were violated. Judge Goodwin said, “Continued detention without individualized custody determinations, after this court’s repeated holdings that such detention violates the Fifth Amendment, will result in legal consequences.” It will be fascinating to see how other states react.

“King Charles Visit” – King Charles is making his second state visit to the United States, April 27 – 30. He will be hosted by President Trump at an official State Dinner at the White House. “I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect,’' Trump said on Truth Social. He added, “It will be TERRIFIC!” But oh, to be a fly on the wall in that room. King Charles stripped his brother, the former Prince Andrew, of all his royal titles and duties because of Andrew’s ties to the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Trump is also linked to Epstein, but has denied any wrongdoing and has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Last year, when Trump visited Charles at Windsor Castle, protesters beamed a hologram of Epstein and Trump on the tower. At the very least, these protests have got to be extremely embarrassing.

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is a South Florida-based political writer and analyst who has covered news and politics nationwide for the past 49 years. Most recently, he served as the Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations, covering West Virginia and its five neighboring states, as well as the Washington, DC media market. Curtis is a former Congressional Fellow who worked in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. Over the years, he has been a contributing writer and analyst at Patch.com.

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