Same government, different filing cabinet.
Day 164. Last week, Trump established a Military Spouse Commission, stating in the Federal Register that spouses are “intrinsically linked to the good order, readiness, and retention of our military.” Sunday, more than 60 Democratic lawmakers opened an investigation after AP found immigration authorities had detained more than 50 spouses and parents of active-duty troops. Separately, DHS reported detaining 125 military veterans and arresting more than 150 immediate family members from Jan. 20, 2025, through Jan. 26, 2026.
DHS says military service doesn’t automatically grant relatives lawful status or exempt them from immigration law. That’s the legal answer. The operational answer is already in AP’s reporting: service members taking leave and, in at least one case, halting an imminent deployment to care for children after spouses were detained.
One office calls military spouses essential to readiness. Another opens detention files on military families. Same government, different filing cabinet.
Tehran says coordinates have been settled for an Oman-brokered safe-passage route, but broader access remains tied to sanctions, security guarantees and other Iranian demands. Iran’s Foreign Ministry says there are still no direct talks with Washington—only messages through intermediaries.
A lane is progress. It is not the same thing as an opening.
| Corridor: coordinates set | Direct US talks: none |
| Broader access: conditional | Brent Monday: $85.86 |
Brent crude climbed 2.8% to $85.86 Monday as uncertainty over the Hormuz negotiations replaced some of last week’s relief. The market likes a route. It is still pricing the conditions attached to it.
The S&P 500 edged 0.1% higher after Friday’s record close. July consumer-price data arrive Wednesday morning, giving investors one scheduled number after a week spent trading unscheduled statements.
The Senate confirmed Trump’s former personal attorney as attorney general in a 50–49 vote. Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats in opposition.
The chain of command remains the same. The business cards can now be reprinted.
Russian regional officials say a Ukrainian drone attack on Nizhnekamsk killed 13 people and wounded 75. Ukraine says it struck the TANECO refinery; Russian officials have not identified the target, and neither account has been independently verified.
The attack matters beyond its disputed details: a petroleum hub deep inside Russia is no longer outside the war’s operational map.
Evacuation orders around the Spokane Complex have eased as Red Flag warnings expired, but the hardest-hit areas remain closed. The fires have burned more than 8,000 acres and reportedly destroyed more than 700 homes.
Returning is not the same thing as returning to normal.
Cedric Mullins drove in the go-ahead run and Ian Seymour held Seattle to one run over six innings Sunday as the Rays finished a three-game sweep. The Mariners get Monday off.
The offense got an early start.
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