What we covered
• Iran tensions: President Donald Trump urged Iran to make a deal while extending his timeline for a decision on potential military action to 10 to 15 days. Sources yesterday said the US is prepared to strike Iran as early as this weekend but that Trump had not yet made a final decision.
• Board of Peace meeting: In remarks to world leaders, Trump said his Board of Peace will be “looking over” the United Nations. He also said the US will contribute $10 billion for the board to resolve global conflicts and outlined various countries that have pledged support for Gaza.
• Shutdown stalemate: Trump has not yet spoken directly with Democrats about resolving the impasse over Department of Homeland Security funding. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats are waiting on the administration’s response.
Our live coverage has ended. Catch up on the headlines here:
- The US could strike Iran. Here’s how Tehran is getting prepared
- Trump confronts his options on Iran — from targeted attacks to potentially toppling regime
- Trump says he will direct government agencies to release files related to extraterrestrial life and UFOs
- Giant banner of Donald Trump hung at Justice Department headquarters
Vietnam War veterans sue to block construction of Trump’s planned DC arch
Three Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian are suing the Trump administration in an effort to block construction of the forthcoming “Independence Arch” — President Donald Trump’s proposed landmark to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The lawsuit, filed Thursday by the progressive advocacy group Public Citizen, calls for construction to be halted until the National Park Service gains congressional approval and complies with all statutory requirements.
Trump announced plans to build the arch last October with the goal of constructing a bigger, American version of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and he’s suggested he’ll sign an executive order for its construction.
In the filing, the veterans argue the possible obstruction of the “symbolic and inspiring view” between Arlington National Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial would “dishonor their military and foreign service” and “degrade their personal experience” when visiting Arlington National Cemetery.
White House spokesperson Davis Ingle defended the plans in a statement to CNN, saying the arch “will enhance the visitor experience at Arlington National Cemetery for veterans, the families of the fallen, and all Americans alike, serving as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes throughout our 250 year history so we can enjoy our freedoms today.”
CNN has reached out to NPS for comment.
Some context: The arch design will be presented for approval to a pair of key commissions, the National Capital Planning Commission and the Commission on Fine Arts, CNN previously reported.
It’s likely that plans for the arch will be approved by the two DC-based bodies Trump has packed with allies, but the arch may face other more challenging reviews that require public input, including under the National Environmental Policy Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.
CNN’s Betsy Klein contributed to this report.
Trump says he will direct government agencies to release files related to extraterrestrial life
President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would direct the Pentagon and other government agencies to release government records related to extraterrestrial life and UFOs.
“Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters,” he said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump’s remarks come after former President Barack Obama drew media attention over the weekend when he appeared to confirm the existence of aliens in an interview with podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen.
The former president later clarified in an Instagram post that he was referring to the statistical likelihood of life existing on other planets given the vastness of the universe.
“But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us,” he wrote.
When asked about the comments on Thursday, Trump said on Air Force One, “Well, I don’t know if they’re real or not. I can tell you he gave classified information. He’s not supposed to be doing that. He made a big mistake.”
Trump renews call for sweeping health legislation
President Donald Trump called again Thursday for passing a sweeping health care overhaul that would funnel federal subsidies directly to individual patients, despite little appetite in Congress to take up the idea.
The president during a speech in Georgia touted the framework as a solution to rising health costs, boasting that “people loved it” when he first floated redirecting funds to people.
But he acknowledged that the proposal faces long odds, blaming Democrats for holding up any progress.
“We’re looking at it,” Trump said. “The problem is the Democrats are totally bought off and paid for by the insurance companies.”
Trump’s push for major legislation is part of a broader midterm sales pitch focused on health care, in hopes of gaining traction with voters anxious over the economy and cost of living. Democrats have repeatedly hit Republicans over the rising cost of health care, including over the GOP allowing Obamacare subsidies to expire last year.
The president also touted his efforts to lower drug prices, repeating his assertion that Republicans should win midterm elections on that issue alone.
Trump celebrates FBI raid on Fulton County election office
President Donald Trump on Thursday celebrated the FBI’s seizure last month of voter data from Fulton County, Georgia, renewing his baseless allegations that Democrats cheated during the 2020 election.
During a speech in northeast Georgia, Trump decried local officials’ efforts to force the return of the election material and accused them of trying to cover up illegal activity.
“Why don’t they want them to see the ballots?” he said. “After all these years, you know why they don’t want it? Because they cheated.”
Trump’s remarks came a day ahead of a deadline for the Justice Department to respond in court to the county’s attempt to get the voter data back. The president referenced the case in accusing the local officials of being Democrats who were “trying to stop anybody from looking.”
Trump says he's "won affordability"
President Donald Trump told a crowd in Georgia on Thursday that he’s “won affordability,” even as he opened his remarks fixated on other topics like tariffs and voter ID.
“Affordability. You notice what word have you not heard over the last two weeks? Affordability,” Trump said. “Because I’ve won, I’ve won affordability. I had to go out and talk about it. But we inherited a mess.”
Trump opened his remarks, however, by dwelling on his frustration that his tariffs could be hamstrung by the Supreme Court, grousing about his political rivals and calling for sweeping changes to the nation’s voting systems.
“To think, I have to be in the United States Supreme Court for many, many months waiting for a decision on tariffs,” he said. “Without tariffs, this country would be in such trouble right now.”
He pushed for stricter voting laws, including proof of citizenship and ending mail-in ballots, and accused Democrats of not wanting those measures “because they want to cheat.”
The president also took swipes at previous opponents, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, both of whom he called “morons,” before turning his attention to the topic at hand — the economy.
According to a CNN poll released last month, a 55% majority say that Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions in the country, with just 32% saying they’ve made an improvement. Most, 64%, say he hasn’t gone far enough in trying to reduce the price of everyday goods.
Trump says Republicans "won't lose a race for 50 years" if they pass strict voting measures
President Donald Trump said Republicans “won’t lose a race for 50 years” if the party passes voter ID laws and ends mail-in ballots.
“We’ll never lose a race for 50 years. We won’t lose a race. We want voter ID. We want proof of citizenship, and we don’t want mail-in ballots,” he said during a speech in Rome, Georgia, on Thursday.
The president said he wanted exceptions for mail-in ballots for the military, as well as “people that are ill, disabled, or people that are away, even for a vacation.”
Congressional Republicans are pushing the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, along with other provisions. Democrats have criticized the bill for creating obstacles to vote.
Trump fixated on filling Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Georgia seat
President Donald Trump may have hoped that he was finished with Marjorie Taylor Greene after their feud led to her resignation from Congress last month. But he and Republican leaders are increasingly fixated on filling her vacant US House seat in Georgia.
Trump is visiting Greene’s hometown today, attempting to put his finger on the scales in a crowded special election to replace her that has become something of a free-for-all and a new test of Trump’s ability to influence his fellow Republicans.
Trump endorsed Clay Fuller, a former prosecutor and Air Force veteran, who greeted the president when he stepped off Air Force One on Thursday and later appeared on stage before Trump spoke.
“I stand ready on this stage today to be a warrior for the America First agenda, to be a warrior for northwest George and to be a warrior for President Trump,” Fuller told the crowd. “We need to win this thing on March 10.”
Trump’s endorsement has done little to clear the field, which includes 20 candidates. If no candidate wins more than 50%, the two top vote-getters head to an April runoff.
“I love President Trump, but we’ve never talked about this being President Trump’s district,” said Jim Tully, a former Greene staffer and longtime Republican activist who is on the ballot.
“This district belongs to the people.”
Colton Moore, a former state senator and conservative firebrand, is running ads suggesting he is the true Trump loyalist in the race.
“Together with President Trump,” Moore said, “I’ll put America first.”
The president’s decision to weigh in on the race, GOP officials told CNN, was intended to try and avoid a runoff and install a Republican in the seat next month to give Speaker Mike Johnson more cushion in his razor-thin majority.
Trump warmly greeted in Georgia for economic speech
President Donald Trump was warmly greeted in Rome, Georgia, on Thursday as he aims to tout his economic agenda.
Prior to the speech, Trump toured Coosa Steel Corporation, where owner Andrew Saville praised the president’s tariffs on steel for leading to a boom in business. People cheered and waved as Trump walked in, with the president pausing and seemingly taking it all in.
“It’s great to see a vibrant place like this. As you know, about a year and a half ago, it wasn’t so vibrant. I’m looking at all this brand new steel and equipment just went up because of our tariffs,” Trump said, opening his speech.
Trump extends Iran timeline to 10-15 days
President Donald Trump on Thursday extended his timeline for a decision on Iran, telling reporters on Air Force One, “10-15 days, pretty much maximum.”
“We’re either going to get a deal or it’s going to be unfortunate for them,” he said.
Earlier Thursday, Trump suggested he’d know whether a deal with Iran was possible within 10 days.
“We may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal,” Trump said during remarks at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace. “You’re going to be finding out over the next probably 10 days.”
What world leaders and representatives said at today’s Board of Peace meeting
At least 20 countries were represented at today’s Board of Peace meeting in Washington, DC, by top leaders, foreign ministers or envoys.
Other members on the board included the head of FIFA and an American billionaire.
Here’s what they said at the inaugural summit:
- Gaza administrator: The chief commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration, Ali Shaath, confirmed the establishment of a new Gaza Strip governing authority tasked with focusing on development and stability, while also cautioning that the operational environment remains far from normal.
- On Palestinian police force: Board of Peace officials announced that they plan to train and deploy a new 5,000-member “transitional” Palestinian police force in Gaza in 60 days.
- Israel: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar emphasized the necessity of dismantling Hamas’ weapons, terrorist infrastructure, underground tunnels and weapons-production facilities, as well as ending the indoctrination of Palestinian children in educational and religious institutions.
- Middle East representatives: Most of the Board of Peace’s Middle Eastern representatives made a point of mentioning the two-state solution in their remarks today, with Israel a notable exception.
- Funding commitments: Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia each pledged further funds to support Gaza through the board’s efforts, with Qatar’s $1 billion contribution aimed at promoting Palestinian statehood and Israeli security. Meanwhile, FIFA will be pledging over $75 million for “soccer-related” projects in Gaza.
- Humanitarian aid: Morocco’s foreign minister said that his country was prepared to establish a “military field hospital” and lead a “de-radicalization program to fight hate speech” in Gaza. Argentine President Javier Milei offered the help of Argentina’s White Helmets, a corps of humanitarian aid workers.
- US billionaire weighs in: Marc Rowan, the CEO of Apollo Global Management who is on the executive board of the Board of Peace, touted the development potential in Gaza, including a coastline worth at least $50 billion and “$115 billion of value” in the destroyed strip that “just needs to be unlocked and financed.”
CNN’s Mohammed Tawfeeq, Dalia Abdelwahab, Jennifer Hansler and Oren Liebermann contributed to this report.
Paraguayan president jokes support for US will pause for World Cup match
Paraguayan President Santiago Peña brought a touch of humor to the Board of Peace gathering in Washington, declaring that his country will stand firmly with the United States, except for one day.
“Probably the only day that we’re not going to be able to support the USA is going to be on June 12, because Paraguay is going to be facing the US in the World Cup,” Peña quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.
Beyond the lighthearted moment, Peña thanked President Donald Trump for “bringing hope again” to the international community and pledged Paraguay’s continued support for peace initiatives.
He acknowledged that while Paraguay may not be able to contribute much in terms of financial resources or security forces, every nation has a vital role to play. “There is a lot that all of the countries can bring to the table to solve these issues,” he said.
Peña also reaffirmed Paraguay’s long-standing support for Israel and its commitment to working for peace. “Today is Gaza, tomorrow will be another conflict area in the world, but we need to solve each of these conflicts,” he added.
Israeli foreign minister demands disarmament and de-radicalization in Gaza
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told today’s Board of Peace gathering in Washington that previous plans for the Gaza Strip failed because they did not address the core issues of “terror, hate, incitement and indoctrination.”
Sa’ar recounted atrocities committed during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which he called “the peak of Hamas’ ongoing terror campaign,” and stressed the need to prevent such horrors from ever recurring.
He praised US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan, which centers on the disarmament of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the de-radicalization of Palestinian society. “It’s the first plan to address the root of the problem. We support it and are working and will work toward its success,” he added.
Sa’ar also emphasized the necessity of dismantling Hamas’ weapons, terrorist infrastructure, underground tunnels and weapons-production facilities, as well as ending the indoctrination of Palestinian children in educational and religious institutions. “The people of Gaza must be liberated from these terrorists,” Sa’ar said.
Concluding his remarks, Sa’ar extended Ramadan greetings to Muslims worldwide.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier today that the US agrees that Hamas must disarm and Gaza must be demilitarized before reconstruction in the shattered territory can begin.
Saudi Arabia pledges $1 billion for Palestinian aid
Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir, addressing the Board of Peace gathering today in Washington, announced a major financial commitment aimed at alleviating Palestinian suffering.
He reaffirmed the kingdom’s long-standing commitment to establish “a lasting and just peace in the Middle East, a peace that results in two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace.”
True peace would transform the region “from death and destruction to hope and prosperity by integrating the region, bringing together its resources and unleashing its potential,” the Saudi delegate said.
“I am pleased to announce that King Salman will pledge $1 billion over the next few years in order to achieve this objective, to work towards alleviating the suffering of our Palestinian brothers and bring them the peace that they and the whole region so desperately desire,” he told the assembled leaders including President Donald Trump.
Most Mideast speakers mention two-state solution, with Israel a notable exception
Most of the Board of Peace’s Middle Eastern representatives made a point of mentioning the two-state solution in their remarks today, with Israel a notable exception. Israel in recent months has tightened its control of the occupied West Bank and expanded governing powers for its settlements there.
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said he hoped that “stabilization” in Gaza might lead to an agreement “based on the two-state solution.”
Likewise, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country remains “convinced that the foundation of … peace is a two-state solution.” Soon afterward, Saudi Arabia’s representative began his remarks with hopes for “a peace that results in two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side.”
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly made similar pleas for US support for a two-state solution. He also noted that his country “appreciates” US President Donald Trump’s opposition to a formal Israeli annexation of the West Bank.
Speaking in Arabic, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Jarrah Jaber al-Sabah referenced the oft-cited framework for a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as a Palestinian capital.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, meanwhile, devoted much of his speech to recalling the violence that Israel experienced during the October 7, 2023, attack, demanding the “the disarmament of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, demilitarization of Gaza Strip and de-radicalization of Palestinian society.”
“Gazans have lived under a terror regime for decades. The people of Gaza must be liberated from these terrorists,” Sa’ar added.
Gaza administrator outlines urgent stabilization agenda
The chief commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza has presented a stabilization agenda for the Strip, painting a dim picture of the enclave grappling with widespread destruction, severe humanitarian strain and fragile internal order.
Ali Shaath, a Palestinian engineer, was named chief commissioner in a joint statement by Qatari, Egyptian and Turkish mediators of the Gaza peace plan in January.
Addressing US President Donald Trump during the Board of Peace gathering in Washington, Shaath confirmed the establishment of a new Gaza Strip governing authority tasked with focusing on development and stability. However, he cautioned that the operational environment remains far from normal.
“Large parts of the Gaza Strip are severely damaged, destroyed, actually. Humanitarian needs are acute. Law and order remain fragile,” Shaath said. “This is not a normal operating environment, which is precisely why discipline and prioritization matter.”
Shaath outlined four primary policy tracks designed to guide Gaza toward stability, including restoring security through a professional civilian police force. “Five thousand Gazan police will be deployed in 60 days,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of reviving the economy in the Strip by “creating decent jobs, especially for our young population,” as well as restoring the basic services.
“Our mandate is simple: Step by step, to build the foundation for lasting peace, dignity and prosperity for the people of Gaza. This is where we count on your continued leadership and support,” Shaath added.
Five countries have committed troops to international force in Gaza, commander says
Five countries have already committed troops to an international force that is supposed to deploy to Gaza as part of the US-brokered 20-point ceasefire agreement, the commander of the force said at the Board of Peace’s first meeting on Thursday.
Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania have committed troops to take part in the International Stabilization Force (ISF), said US Army Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers. Training for the ISF and a police force of Palestinians would take place in Egypt and Jordan, he said.
Jeffers did not provide any details on how many troops each country has committed or how soon they would deploy, but he said the ISF would ultimately total 20,000 soldiers working with 12,000 Palestinian police.
The plan calls for the ISF to deploy across five different sectors in Gaza. But in the short term, the force will first deploy to Rafah in southern Gaza, where the first rebuilt neighborhood is supposed to take shape.
Key lines from Trump’s remarks at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting
President Donald Trump just addressed a group of leaders representing at least 20 countries during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace today in Washington, DC, where he alluded to potential military action against Iran if talks fail.
The president also provided more details about the Board of Peace and its goals.
If you’re just joining us, here are key moments from Trump’s remarks:
- Iran: Trump suggested that a decision on Iran could come within the next 10 days. “We may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal,” Trump said. The US military is prepared to strike Iran as soon as this weekend, sources told CNN yesterday, but Trump has not yet made a final decision about whether he’ll authorize such actions.
- Funds for Gaza: Trump said the US will contribute $10 billion to the Board of Peace, which is aimed at resolving international conflicts and began with the mission to reconstruct the Gaza Strip. Trump also announced that Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait have given more than $7 billion toward Gaza relief.
- Troop commitment: Trump said that Indonesia, Morocco, Albania, Kosovo and Kazakhstan “have all committed troops and police to stabilize Gaza.” Egypt and Jordan, he added, “are likewise providing very, very substantial help, troops, training and support for a very trustworthy Palestinian police force.”
- Vision for the UN: The US president said he envisions his Board of Peace “looking over” the United Nations, hardly tamping down concerns he is looking to supplant the global body with his own entity.
- Countries represented: Trump appeared to take credit for the rise of some foreign leaders he endorsed, including Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Argentina’s President Javier Milei, and highlighted other endorsements. Trump noted that not all attendees are political leaders, pointing to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
CNN’s Jennifer Hansler, Kit Maher, Kevin Liptak, Kaanita Iyer and Dalia Abdelwahab contributed to this report.
Former UK PM Tony Blair says Trump’s peace plan is “only hope” for Gaza
Tony Blair, former prime minister of the United Kingdom, praised US President Donald Trump’s vision for Gaza, declaring that Trump’s 20-point peace plan “remains the best, indeed, the only hope for Gaza, the region and the wider world.”
Blair echoed Trump in saying that Gaza has “vast” potential, noting its Mediterranean coastline, young median age and “proximity to great regional and global markets.”
Blair, who led Britain into the Iraq War during his tenure as prime minister, was initially floated as a possible leader of the Board of Peace. Joining the US effort in Iraq, however, damaged his reputation among Arab countries, and in his post-premiership role as an envoy for the Middle East peace process, he was disliked by many Palestinians who saw him as being biased in favor of Israel.
Billionaire on Board of Peace touts Gaza's development potential
An American billionaire sitting on the Trump-led Board of Peace touted the development potential in Gaza, including a coastline worth at least $50 billion and “$115 billion of value” in the destroyed strip that “just needs to be unlocked and financed.”
“This is not a problem of money or collateral, this is a problem of peace,” said Marc Rowan, the CEO of Apollo Global Management who is on the executive board of the Board of Peace.
The flashy development plans have previously raised eyebrows and concerns about possible displacement of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Rowan, speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, said “the potential here is tremendous but it has to start somewhere.”
“The start is in Rafah,” Rowan said, adding that the intention is to build 100,000 homes for 500,000 residents in Rafah, plus $5 billion of infrastructure.
“Over time, 400,000 homes for the entirety of the population with more than 30 billion of infrastructure,” he said.
In a video shown later, the Board of Peace said its goal was to have Rafah rebuilt “by year three” and “Gaza connected to the world through an Abrahamic gateway, linking it with Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and extending to India and Europe.”
It envisions Gaza being “self-governed,” integrated into the region and “with housing for all” by year 10, the video said.
