Politics and views in the United States

Lawmakers respond to the Iran strikes, as Americans express disapproval. Indiana rejects shortening early voting and Texas voters kickoff the 2026 midterms on Tuesday.

TRANSCRIPT

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

We're not going to occupy the country.

We're going to give the people of Iran a chance to do something they've never had before, chart their own destiny.

We're going to take away from any future regime, any future government, the ability to have a ballistic missile program, a nuclear program, or support terrorism.

Iran hawk and Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham says the U.S. won't put boots on the ground in Iran, but will hobble its capacity to attack others.

President Donald Trump announced that the airstrikes launched with Israel killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the hardline Iranian cleric who ruled the country for four decades.

But counterattacks on a base in Kuwait killed three American troops, and missiles and explosions hit Bahrain, home base of the U.S. 5th Fleet.

Iran says a large number of civilians have died, and there have been civilian casualties in Israel as well.

The attacks in a region where much of the world's oil is produced or shipped could spark a sharp price spike.

The United Arab Emirates has suspended trading on its stock exchange.

A Reuters poll before the airstrikes found only a quarter of Americans support the attacks.

More than half said Trump is too willing to use military force.

Most Democrats and many America First Republicans in Congress say they favor a war powers resolution.

That might limit Trump's authority to wage what some call an illegal war not declared by Congress.

A vote on it could come as early as today, but even if it passes, the president will likely veto it.

Democratic Virginia Senator Mark Warner says the White House's plans for Iran seem based entirely on wishful thinking.

There was no imminent threat to America.

So what are his goals?

He owes it to not only the families of those three deceased service members.

There will unfortunately probably be more.

He needs to make the case when you start a war of choice, why it was so critical.

Trump has said he wants Iranian protesters to take over the government, but thousands of them died in a brutal crackdown last month.

How they could take power is far from clear.

Dealing with democracy questions at home, Indiana lawmakers have rejected a curb on in-person early voting.

The bill would have cut the early voting period almost in half.

Supporters argue the current 28 days is high compared to other states, and cutting it would reduce costs.

Democratic state Senator Fadi Kaddoura says reducing early voting was not a partisan issue, but would also not be wise.

Republicans and Democrats will be able to continue to vote, but it just makes it more convenient to vote.

And I'll always be on the side of making it more convenient.

Texas kicks off the primary season tomorrow, including closely watched Senate elections.

In the Republican race, incumbent Senator John Cornyn faces a formidable challenge from controversial right-wing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

On the Democratic side, State Representative James Tallarico faces off with Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett.

A seminary student, Tallarico emphasizes his progressive Christianity.

Crockett has made a name on social media as a black woman willing to confront Trump and his movement.

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

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