She Said, He Shred

It’s worth noting that among those who don’t think the administration’s top military and intel appointees are up to the task is the man who appointed them. When confronted with recent statements from National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard who recently stated that the US intel community did not believe Iran was close to having a nuclear weapon, Trump responded, “I don’t care what she said.” And she’s not the only one he’s not interested in hearing from. “As Trump faces a critical decision about whether to join Israel’s military strikes against Iran’s nuclear program, perhaps the most momentous of his presidency, neither Gabbard nor Hegseth are playing starring roles as members of Trump’s inner circle of advisers.” WaPo: Navigating Iran crisis, Trump relies on experience over star power. (But the final decision is up to Trump, which should worry you.)

+ White House: Trump to make a decision on whether to attack Iran ‘within two weeks.’ It’s incredible he’s going with the two weeks thing again. A two week deadline given to Putin recently passed and he’s been saying things are coming in two weeks since early his first term. (Infrastructure week is still coming in two weeks.)

+ As Trump and his advisors deliberate over whether or not to get directly involved in the Iran-Israel war, the two sides have accelerated their attacks. An Iranian missile hit an Israeli hospital, after which Israel’s defense minister said that Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “can no longer be allowed to exist.” Netanyahu says the Israel’s efforts are “ahead of the schedule we set — both in terms of timing and results.” Here’s the latest from Times of Israel, NBC News, and The Guardian.