Americans' thoughts on Iran strikes and 10 years since Obergefell v. Hodges: Morning Rundown
A new poll reveals Americans' early feelings about U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. A recording appears to show the DOJ coordinated with Texas' attorney general to kill a state law. And Jim Obergefell reflects on the fight LGBTQ rights 10 years after the landmark Supreme Court decision bearing his name.
Here's what to know today.
A new NBC News Decision Desk Poll powered by SurveyMonkey found that Donald Trump's call to launch airstrikes last weekend on several nuclear facilities in Iran has more opposition than support. According to the survey, 45% of U.S. adults oppose the airstrikes, versus 38% who support them. Another 18% of respondents said they neither support nor oppose the strikes.
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A closer look at the answers given by Republicans versus Democrats, however, shows less division. Among Republicans, 78% support the airstrikes, with 60% strongly supporting them. In a near-mirror image, 77% of Democrats oppose the airstrikes, with 61% strongly opposed.
There's a starker division among independents: 45% oppose the U.S. airstrikes, 21% support and 34% neither support nor oppose them.
The survey ran from Monday through Wednesday, after Trump had made the decision to launch the airstrikes on Saturday. But in the time the survey was in the field, Iran launched a retaliatory strike at a U.S. military site in Qatar, Trump announced a ceasefire and chastised both countries for appearing to break the terms. It's still unknown exactly what damage the strikes did to the Iranian nuclear program.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe said yesterday that new intelligence 'from a historically reliable and accurate source/method' indicated that Iran's nuclear program was 'severely damaged' in recent U.S. airstrikes. A day earlier, a leaked Defense Intelligence Agency initial assessment found the strikes set back Iran's program only by several months.
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Iran's exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, is promoting a vision for a new Iran that prioritizes individual liberties, equality of 'all citizens' and the separation of religion and state. He's making his pitch for a regime change not from the streets of Tehran, but from a conference room in Paris.
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DOJ and Texas AG coordinated to kill the Texas Dream Act
A Texas law that gave undocumented immigrants in-state tuition was killed 'in six hours' after the Justice Department coordinated with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to a recording obtained by NBC News. In the recording, Deputy Associate Attorney General Abhishek Kambli seemed to boast at a private Republican gathering earlier this month of the Trump administration's actions.
On June 4, the Justice Department sued Texas over the Texas Dream Act, then quickly filed a joint motion with Texas asking a judge to declare the law unconstitutional and permanently enjoin Texas from enforcing the law. The same day, the judge did.
A Justice Department spokesperson did not dispute Kambli made the statements and said it was 'pretty standard' for DOJ lawyers to notify state attorneys general of federal lawsuits ahead of time. Outside organizations, including Democracy Forward, the ACLU Foundation of Texas and the National Immigration Law Center, filed a motion this week arguing 'the United States and the Texas Attorney General colluded to predetermine the outcome of the case.' Read the full story here.
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Democrats' New York state of mind
A 33-year-old progressive overtook a former governor and scion of a New York political dynasty. And it has put the Democratic Party on notice. Zohran Mamdani's ascension in the primary election for New York City mayor over Andrew Cuomo was a massive shot in the arm for progressives and other Democrats who have been imploring their party's elder statesmen to step aside for a new generation of leaders.
The full results of the ranked choice election will not be known until next week, but early data shows Mamdani defied polling expectations and appealed to a unique coalition of voters through a combination of his on-the-ground campaigning and social media presence.
Democratic congressional leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, both from New York, put out statements congratulating Mamdani, but they didn't explicitly call for the party to fall in line behind him. Other New York Democrats put out statements saying he's too extreme. Meanwhile, David Hogg, a former Democratic National Committee official who has supported primary challengers against long-serving Democrats, said in a statement: 'The people have spoken — and they're saying that the establishment is cooked.'
Mamdani still has a general election to win, but as far as many progressives are concerned, his primary feat was itself a major victory. Read the full story here.
More coverage of the New York City election:
Supporters of ranked choice voting say the system incentivizes candidates to throw their support behind one another. Critics say it's confusing, time consuming and will sow more confusion in elections. Nonetheless, its use in this week's election has reopened a national debate.
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Staff Pick: 10 years later, Jim Obergefell says the same-sex marriage fight isn't over
A year ago, recognizing the approaching 10th anniversary of the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, I decided to try to speak with Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff. I was aiming to gather his reflections on a decade of nationwide same-sex marriage rights. By October, I had secured a tentative interview with him.
However, as the actual anniversary neared, neither Jim nor I anticipated the palpable fear that would grip the LGBTQ community. What began as a retrospective on marriage equality evolved to include efforts in several states to overturn those rights. It became clear that the story was no longer just about Jim celebrating a past victory. It grew to include his ongoing fight to honor his late husband by trying to secure for the country the rights they so desperately wanted for themselves. — Steven Romo, correspondent
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Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Former Iran diplomat makes disturbing claim to Aussie journalist following US bombings
Iran could rebuild its nuclear sites within months, a former Iranian diplomat has warned. Seyed Hossein Mousavian, who previously served as a senior member of Iran's nuclear diplomacy team, said recent US strikes only 'partly' destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities and that the country still retains its nuclear 'know-how'. 'There is no doubt... Iranian nuclear facilities have been attacked, have been bombed, have been damaged,' he told the ABC's 7.30 program on Thursday. 'You can imagine buildings, utilities, even perhaps centrifuges have been destroyed, partly, not all. 'Nevertheless, if the objective of the US-Israeli air strikes aim and objective was to destroy (the) Iranian nuclear program, I'm confident they have failed. 'Even if they have another attack, even if they have 100 attacks, they will fail because you can not kill technology and know-how, Iranians, they have know-how.' Mr Mousavian, who claims to no longer be affiliated with the Iranian regime, suggested it might take only months to reconstruct the country's nuclear facilities. 'Iranians have the know-how technology and they can reconstruct everything, whether that would take one month or five months or six months, it doesn't matter.' The US launched an array of strikes on Saturday after Israel and Iran's long-standing feud developed into a direct conflict earlier this month. The strikes involved 125 US military aircraft and targeted three nuclear facilities: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan. Mr Mousavian's comments stand in stark contrast to those of US President Donald Trump who has claimed the bombings devastated the country's nuclear facilities. 'Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. The former Iranian diplomat is not the first to suggest the damage could have been less extensive than Trump had suggested, including by his own intelligence agencies. An initial assessment by the US Defense Intelligence Agency also suggested Iran's path to building a nuclear weapon might have been set back only by months. Trump shrugged off the findings in an appearance at a NATO summit in the Netherlands on Wednesday, claiming they were 'inconclusive'. 'It was very severe. It was obliteration,' he said. CIA director John Ratcliffe has since said the strikes had 'severely damaged' Iran's nuclear facilities but stopped short of stating the nuclear program had been wiped out. Asked by Mr Speers whether he believed Iran would remain in the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Mr Mousavian was non-committal. 'It depends to the US. If the US would be committed to international rules and regulations,' he said. 'If the US would respect Non-Proliferation Treaty, if the US would respect the rights of Iran like other members of Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran would stay. 'Iran, like before, would never go for nuclear bombs, like before, Iran would cooperate at the highest level of transparency and inspections, to ensure its nuclear program is peaceful.' Mr Speers then asked whether, in Mr Mousavian's view, there would be an 'incentive' for Iran to speed up its efforts towards building a nuclear weapon. 'It depends on the US. If the US is going to accelerate hostilities, wars, assassinations, terror, cyberattacks, why they should not? 'That sounds like a threat. 'It is (the) American threat. It is (the) Israeli threat. Why you are saying vice-versa? 'Iran has been attacked. Iran did not attack. Israel attacked Iran. The US attacked Iran. But now we are discussing about Iranian threat?'
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Trump slams media who questioned Iran bombing strike
President Donald Trump continued his criticism of establishment media organizations for their emphasis on preliminary intelligence reports showing that the bombing strikes on Iran did not completely destroy its nuclear facilities. The president posted several posts throughout Wednesday and Thursday, many of them in all caps criticizing the reports and accusing them of publishing intentionally 'fake' stories. On Thursday, Trump teased a 'rumor' that the New York Times and CNN would fire their reporters who reported. 'Rumor is that the Failing New York Times and Fake News CNN will be firing the reporters who made up the FAKE stories on the Iran Nuclear sites because they got it so wrong,' Trump said. 'Let's see what happens?' CNN exclusively reported leaked details from preliminary intelligence assessments of the strikes by the Defense Intelligence Agency, citing 'seven people' briefed on the report. Trump and his officials, particularly Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth criticized the reports, targeting one of the lead reporters of the story Natasha Bertrand of being dishonest. 'Natasha Bertrand should be FIRED from CNN! I watched her for three days doing Fake News. She should be IMMEDIATELY reprimanded, and then thrown out 'like a dog,'' Trump wrote on social media. 'She should not be allowed to work at Fake News CNN. It's people like her who destroyed the reputation of a once great Network,' Trump continued. 'Her slant was so obviously negative, besides, she doesn't have what it takes to be an on camera correspondent, not even close. FIRE NATASHA!' Trump's post about CNN firing Bertrand appeared to be wishful thinking, as CNN issued a statement standing by Bertrand and her reporting. 'We stand 100% behind Natasha Bertrand's journalism and specifically her and her colleagues' reporting of the early intelligence assessment of the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities,' the news outlet said in a statement. CNN denounced the criticism targeted at Bertrand as irrational. 'We do not believe it is reasonable to criticize CNN reporters for accurately reporting on the existence of the assessment and accurately characterizing its findings, which are in the public interest,' they wrote. The Trump administration continues to criticize the media for questioning the success of the mission after U.S. pilots aboard seven B-2 bombers dropped 14 Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP) bombs on the nuclear facilities in Fordow and Natanz. But the president continued posting criticism of both CNN and the New York Times, describing them on Thursday morning as 'bad people with evil intentions.' 'These reporters are just BAD AND SICK PEOPLE,' Trump wrote on social media on Wednesday. 'You would think they would be proud of the great success we had, instead of trying to always make our Country look bad.' Trump and his officials singled out Bertrand for her reporting on the infamous Steele Dossier and a 2020 Politico report reporting that 'former senior intelligence officials' believed that the Hunter Biden laptop was 'Russian disinformation.' 'She lied on the Laptop from Hell Story, and now she lied on the Nuclear Sites Story, attempting to destroy our Patriot Pilots by making them look bad when, in fact, they did a GREAT job and hit 'pay dirt' — TOTAL OBLITERATION!' Trump wrote on social media. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held a press conference on Thursday, complaining about the media reports based on 'biased leaks to biased publications.' 'How about we take a beat, recognize first the success of our warriors, hold them up, tell their stories, celebrate that, wave an American flag, be proud of what we accomplish?' he asked.
Daily Mail
29 minutes ago
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John Fetterman warns that likely new 'Democratic socialist' NYC mayor is 'Christmas in July' for the GOP
Unlike some members of his political party, Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman isn't looking at Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City mayoral primary through rose-colored glasses. 'I'd describe it as Christmas in July for the GOP,' Fetterman said Wednesday. Mamdani - a state legislator - appears to have beaten out a field of other candidates in the Democrat Mayoral primary Tuesday, including former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo who resigned from office in 2021 over sexual harassment allegations. The official results of the election won't be confirmed until July 1 due to the city's ranked choice voting system. One of Mamdani's fellow New York Democrats was also, like Fetterman, unsettled by his victory. Laura Gillen, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Long Island denounced the win in a statement posted on X. 'Socialist Zohran Mamdani is too extreme to lead New York City. His entire campaign has been built on unachievable promises and higher taxes, which is the last thing New York needs.' 'Beyond that, Mr. Mamdani has called to defund the police and has demonstrated a deeply disturbing pattern of unacceptable antisemitic comments which stoke hate at a time when antisemitism is skyrocketing. He is the absolute wrong choice for New York,' Gillen added. Zohran Mamdani's socialist, defund the police platform is wrong for New York City. I joined @EVargasTV tonight to discuss how Mr. Mamdani lacks a realistic fiscal plan or the legal ability to deliver on his many campaign promises. Watch the full interview here: — Laura Gillen (@LauraAGillen) June 26, 2025 Still, Mamdani was backed by a number of Fetterman and Gillen's Capitol Hill colleagues including Independent Senator Bernie Sanders and far-left Democrat Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. Both lawmakers congratulated him on the primary victory. Sanders wrote: 'Congratulations to Zohran Mamdani and his thousands of grassroots supporters for their extraordinary campaign. You took on the political, economic and media Establishment- and you beat them. Now it's on to victory in the general election.' Ocasio-Cortez, who beat out an establishment Democrat in her own party primary seven years ago and became a household name almost overnight wrote: 'Congratulations, @ZohranKMamdani. Your dedication to an affordable, welcoming, and safe New York City where working families can have a shot has inspired people across the city. Billionaires and lobbyists poured millions against you and our public finance system. And you won.' Mamdani's campaign promoted socialist ideas like rent freezes for rent-stabilized apartments, grocery stores that would be owned by the city, and free public buses. He has also advocated for defunding the city's police department, defended pro- Palestine slogans like 'globalize the intifada' and said he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Former President Bill Clinton was another Democrat who applauded Mamdani's win: 'Congratulations @ZohranKMamdani on your victory in yesterday's primary election and a well-run campaign. I'm wishing you much success in November and beyond as you work to bring New Yorkers together to tackle the city's challenges and shape a stronger, fairer future,' Clinton wrote on X, in a post to which only people he followed could reply. Congratulations @ZohranKMamdani on your victory in yesterday's primary election and a well-run campaign. I'm wishing you much success in November and beyond as you work to bring New Yorkers together to tackle the city's challenges and shape a stronger, fairer future. — Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) June 25, 2025 Mamdani has vowed to 'fight back' against president Donald Trump, saying that he is the Republican's 'worst nightmare' because he is a 'progressive, Muslim immigrant who actually fights for the things I believe in'. Trump himself responded to Mamdani's apparent victory, calling him a 'communist lunatic' in a post on social media site Truth Social he made Wednesday. 'It's finally happened, the Democrats have crossed the line. Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor,' Trump wrote. 'We've had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he's not very smart, he's got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin' Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him. Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!' Trump has repeatedly tagged Schumer, a Jewish longtime supporter of Israel, as a 'Palestinian senator.' The president's remark that Mamdani is 'on his way' would appear to count out current Mayor Eric Adams, who is seeking reelection as an independent. The Justice Department called a halt to a criminal prosecution of Adams soon after Trump took office this year and put in new leadership. Schumer, who declined to endorse in the mayoral primary, was also among the Democrats who commended Mamdani on the victory. 'I have known @ZohranKMamdani since we worked together to provide debt relief for thousands of beleaguered taxi drivers & fought to stop a fracked gas plant in Astoria. He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity,' Scumer wrote on X. He also added that he looked forward to 'getting together soon' with Mamdani. I have known @ZohranKMamdani since we worked together to provide debt relief for thousands of beleaguered taxi drivers & fought to stop a fracked gas plant in Astoria. He ran an impressive campaign that connected with New Yorkers about affordability, fairness, & opportunity. — Chuck Schumer (@chuckschumer) June 25, 2025
