Trump's global gambits

President Donald Trump’s signature tariffs are still roiling Michigan, one of the most closely watched midterm states in 2026. Almost nowhere on the map are there more battleground congressional seats, not to mention a Senate seat on a knife’s edge and a three-way governor’s race featuring a wildcard independent candidate polling in the double digits. And that’s before you dig into any number of down-ballot races. Playbook’s Adam Wren and White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss the topic du jour at this week’s Detroit Auto Show and what the impact of Trump’s tariffs could mean for the midterms.

A handful of international fronts are simmering with tension as President Donald Trump’s foreign policy agenda expands. The president seemingly backed off taking action in Iran for now, telling reporters that the situation on the ground had improved. The standoff over Greenland is ramping up. Trump once again shifted blame for the stalled Ukraine-Russia negotiations. And the administration announced a new phase in the Gaza peace plan. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House reporter Megan Messerly break down the stakes for each of Trump’s foreign policy forays.

President Donald Trump is ramping up the rhetoric over Iran. Trump is considering a range of options as the death toll from the crackdown on protests in Iran grows higher. The different responses on the table range from the diplomatic to so-called kinetic options, which could involve the military. But the administration’s recent moves in the Western Hemisphere have hampered some of the immediate options. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House reporter Megan Messerly discuss Trump’s Iran options. Plus, what’s Trump’s end game on Greenland?

The Justice Department’s investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell is still sending shockwaves through Washington and beyond. As President Donald Trump prepares to deliver a speech on the economy Tuesday, the headlines are still being dominated by Powell. Scores of Republicans are denouncing the move, and some inside the White House are concerned the push to target Powell is distracting from other issues the administration would rather focus on. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns discuss how the fallout is threatening Trump’s agenda.

Jerome Powell is the latest target of President Donald Trump’s Justice Department. The Federal Reserve chair confirmed that DOJ has opened a criminal investigation into his statements to Congress regarding Fed HQ renovations, marking the latest and sharpest escalation of Trump’s monthslong crusade against Powell. Though Trump denied having knowledge of the investigation, he has long pushed Powell to cut interest rates. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns discuss the ramifications of the inquiry into Powell.

Affordability was supposed to be the primary focus of 2026 as Republicans try to shore up voter support ahead of the midterms. Instead, nearly every day this year has been dominated by headlines surrounding President Donald Trump’s extraordinary intervention in Venezuela. Whether the Trump administration can successfully tell voters why they should care about the Venezuela action could go a long way in defining the success of the operation. White House reporters Megan Messerly and Myah Ward discuss what it will take for Trump to drive his message home.

The Trump administration is pushing forward with its oil-driven agenda in Venezuela. President Donald Trump is set to welcome oil industry executives to the White House later this week to talk about kickstarting production there again. Meanwhile, Trump appears to be easing up on some of the hardline stances he took against other countries in the wake of the shock military action to capture Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela over the weekend. The president seems to be easing his position on Colombia and Greenland after members of Congress expressed concern. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns discuss the shift. Plus, Congress is finally eyeing a vote on the now-expired Obamacare subsidies.

President Donald Trump touted on Tuesday night that Venezuela’s interim government would turn over billions of dollars worth of oil to the U.S., just days after Nicolás Maduro was toppled. The U.S. plans to sell the oil at market prices, Trump said, adding that he would personally control the proceeds. Meanwhile, administration officials are delivering a bipartisan briefing to senators on the Venezuela action today, which is certain to prompt plenty of reactions once it’s wrapped. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns discuss the oil equation, plus what Trump really wants to do with Greenland.

President Donald Trump is speaking with House Republicans at the Kennedy Center today for what was originally intended to be a rally-the-troops gathering as a pivotal midterm year kicks off. But the topic driving the majority of headlines this week is Venezuela. Questions swirl about what comes next in the country as various corners of the administration divulge different details. Republican lawmakers so far have supported the move — but it’s unclear how long that unity will last. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns break down what to watch out of the meeting. Plus, today is the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

President Donald Trump is taking hardline stances on a number of countries in the Western Hemisphere and beyond after the U.S. carried out a stunning military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The two are facing narcoterrorism charges and are due to appear in court on Monday. Meanwhile, Trump rattled the saber toward more nations that could see U.S. intervention on the heels of the action in Venezuela. Playbook Jack Blanchard and White House Bureau Chief Dasha Burns discuss Trump’s dire messaging and how it fits into his larger “America First” agenda.