Politics and views in the United States

A Trump national security official resigns over the Iran war, as dissatisfaction over the price of gas rises. Illinois voters nominate candidates for general election, and Senate begins debate on the SAVE Act.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks, where we're following our democracy in historic times.

Iran was a threat, and many people, many of the greatest military scholars are saying for years that presidents should have taken out Iran because they wanted a nuclear weapon.

President Donald Trump is dismissing the key argument in a resignation letter addressed to him.

Joe Kent was a special forces and CIA vet before leading the National Counterterrorism Center.

In his letter, Kent argued Iran, quote, posed no imminent threat to U.S. security.

Kent, who's accused of white supremacy, also says Israeli officials and their media allies spread disinformation to get Trump to start the Iran war.

The average price of gas has risen more than a quarter since Iran stopped most oil shipments through the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Industry CEOs say they expect it to go higher.

The Senate kicked off a marathon debate on the SAVE Act, which would require strict proof of citizenship to register or vote.

Trump is refusing to sign any other legislation until it's passed.

But without the votes to change the Senate filibuster rules, his allies hope to hold the floor to force it through.

New Jersey Democratic Senator Andy Kim calls it an anti-democratic maneuver from a deeply unpopular administration.

Instead of ending this war and getting gas prices down, instead of focusing on working families, Donald Trump has Senate Republicans here to peddle a bill because in his words, quote, "It'll guarantee the midterms." voters may be shaping the next generation of politics in the blue state.

For the first time in nearly 80 years, there are five Democratic-leaning House seats open, along with a Senate office long held by Dick Durbin.

Progressive Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton looks likely to secede Durbin by narrowly defeating Liberal Representative Raja Krishnamoorthy.

A bid to return to Congress by scandal-plagued Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the late civil rights leader, has failed.

County Commissioner Donna Cook won in the South Chicago 2nd District.

In the 7th, Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyers-Ervin, backed by the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, closely trails State Senator Lashawn Ford.

Ford received the endorsement of the retiring progressive incumbent.

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss is narrowly leading in a bruising and at times negative three-way contest in the 9th District.

He's beating journalist and social media influencer Kat Abu Ghazale, along with State Senator Laura Fine, in the race to secede longtime progressive stalwart Jane Schakowsky.

Fine was also supported by APAC.

The night might disappoint the Israeli lobby following a stinging defeat in a special house election in New Jersey.

Several California anti-ice protesters shot by police last summer are suing.

They say law enforcement did not follow transparency and use of force rules.

John Lindsay Poland with the American Friends Service Committee says police used tear gas and rubber bullets on journalists and peaceful protesters.

Militarized equipment has become very normalized.

Often it's made to sound like there's de-escalation tools.

That phrase is frequently used for armored vehicles and launchers of rubber bullets.

I'm Zamone Perez for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

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