President Donald Trump criticizes U.S. allies who won't help keep the Strait of Hormuz open

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Welcome to Washington today.

For Monday, March 16th, 2026, I'm Gary Starrickoff. Thank you for joining us.

President Trump is criticizing allies who have refused his requests

to help the U.S. keep the straight-of-horn moves passable for oil tankers and other shipments.

This comes as oil prices rose over the weekend of their highest level since the summer of 2022

and U.S. gas prices at their highest level since October 2023.

In the Middle East, Israel says it is expanding its ground operations in Lebanon,

where more than a million people have been displaced because of fighting there.

And on Capitol Hill, Republican senators say they're planning to take over the floor this week

for a marathon debate over the White House-backed voting reform bill that passed the House last month.

And we are moving into month two of the Homeland Security Department's shutdown with no

deal to reopen it in sight. We'll tell you all about it coming up.

Well, we'll start at the White House. Here is the president giving an update on Iran this morning.

Our powerful military campaign to end the threats posed by the Iranian regime

continued in full force over the past few days. They have been literally

obliterated. The Air Force has gone. The Navy has gone.

Many, many ships have been sunk. They're war-fighting ships, but I guess they do not know how to use them.

And anti-aircraft has decimated their radar has gone and their leaders have gone. Other than that,

they're doing quite well. They've been a terror for 47 years. And now, I guess the world through

the United States with the help of Israel is doing what should have been done many years ago,

should have been done many years ago. Since the beginning of the conflict, we've struck more than

7,000 targets across Iran. And these have been mostly commercial and military targets.

We've achieved a 90% reduction in their ballistic missile launches and a 95% reduction in drone

attacks. The missiles are trickling in now at a very low levels because they don't have too

many missiles left. We've also attacked the manufacturing plants with the places where they

manufacture the missiles and the drones. And that's going on today. We just hit three of them today.

It's getting very hard for them to manufacture. More than 100 Iranian naval vessels have been sunk or

destroyed over the last week and a half. It has to be some kind of a record. Additional strikes

continue to launch from all directions every single hour. As you know, we attacked

Cargisland and knocked it. Knocked it literally, destroyed everything of the island except for the

area where the oil is. I call it the pipes. We left the pipes. We didn't want to do that. But we

will do that. We can do that on five minutes notice. It'll be over.

And here's what he had to say on efforts to keep the shipping lanes through the

Strait of Hormuz open. And we're hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping

in the strait of Hormuz with more than 30 mine laying ships destroyed. We hit

to the best of our knowledge all of their mine laying ships. Now they can put them on other

types of ships, I guess, and drop them in. But we don't know that any have even been dropped in. We're

not sure that any have been. That's a big negative for them if they do it. It's a form of suicide.

But we don't know that they have dropped any in. But we've hit all 30 of their ships and destroyed

them. They're all at the bottom of the sea. We strongly encourage other nations whose economies

depend on the Strait far more than ours. You know, we get less than 1% of our oil from the

Strait. And some countries get much more Japan gets 95%. China gets 90%. Many of the Europeans

get quite a bit. South Korea gets 35%. So we want them to come and help us with the Strait.

We have it in very good shape. The countries I said we've already taken care of Iran, but now

because of the fact that literally a single terrorist can put something in the water or shoot something

or shoot a missile, a small missile, and it's fairly close range because it is a tight area.

And which is one of the reasons they've always used that as a weapon. Iran has always used that

as an economic weapon. And it's not going to be able to be used very long.

Those comments come after the President told the Financial Times yesterday that quote,

it would be very bad for the future of NATO if European nations do not join the US in its

efforts to reopen the Strait. Here's more from the President. Have you been speaking with the

French President Macron about the coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz? Yeah, I have spoken to him.

He's been on a scale of 0 to 10. I'd say he's been an 8. Not perfect, but it's France.

Are you confident that France will help with the reopening of Strait of Hormuz?

Yeah, I've been sure. I think he's going to help. I mean, I'll let you know. I spoke to him yesterday.

I don't do a hard sell on them because my attitude is we don't need anybody. We're the strongest

nation in the world. We have the strongest military by far in the world. We don't need them,

but it's interesting. I'm almost doing it. In some cases, not because we need them, but because

I want to find out how they react because I've been saying for years that if we ever did need them,

they won't be there. Not all of them, but they won't be there. I was very surprised with

the United Kingdom. Because the United Kingdom, two weeks ago, I said,

why don't you send some ships over and he really didn't want to do it. I said, you don't want to

do it. We've been with you. You're our oldest ally. And we spend a lot of money on

NATO and all of these things to protect you. I mean, we're protecting them. We're working with them

on Ukraine. Ukraine's thousands of miles away separated by a vast ocean. We don't have to do that.

We did it. Well, Biden did it. I'm going to have to be honest with you. Biden got taken to

the cleaners. But we worked with them in Ukraine. We don't need to work with them in Ukraine.

And then they tell us that we have a mine ship around and they don't want to do it. I think it's

I think it's terrible. No, I was I was very surprised. I told him, you know, he we requested two

aircraft carriers, which they had. And he didn't really want to do it. And then right after the war,

essentially ended, you know, meaning they were obliterated. He said, I would like to send the aircraft

carriers. I said, I don't need them after the war is ended and one I needed before the war. So I

was very upset with not upset. I was I was not happy with the UK. I think they'll be involved. Yeah,

maybe. But they should be involved enthusiastically. We've been protecting these countries for years with

NATO. Because NATO is us. You can ask Putin. Putin fears us. He doesn't fear. He has no fear of

Europe whatsoever. Now we'll get to Prime Minister Kierstarmer's comments on this coming up.

But this afternoon at the White House, Vice President Vance was asked about his support for the

Iran war. This happened at an Oval Office of an announcing that the Vice President will lead a

White House anti-Fraud task force. First, Mr. Vice President, Democrats are already calling you

the frauds are what's your reaction to that title? And then second. Good to.

I like it past skepticism of foreign adventurism. Are you completely on board with the current war in

Iran? So I like frauds are certainly what we're going to do. And look, we have to do it. As the

President said, this is a problem with a professor in this country for far too long. And far too

few people have actually wanted to do anything about it. That's what makes this administration

different is that we actually tackle the problems the American people have been confronting.

So I'm very happy about it. And look, I think that I know what you're trying to do, Phil,

you're trying to drive a wedge between members of the administration between me and the President.

What the President said consistently going back to 2015 and I agreed with them is that Iran should

not have a nuclear weapon. We have taken this military action under the President's leadership.

I think all of us, whether you're a Democrat or Republican, should pray for success and pray for

the safety of our troops. That's the approach that I've taken. Make it as successful as possible.

So there's no hesitation given your past statements with the current operation?

What do you mean there's no hesitation with my past statements?

Given your skepticism of foreign adventurism, your critical global war on terror previously.

Well, I think one big difference, Phil, is that we have a smart President,

whereas in the past, we've had dumb presidents. And I trust President Trump to get the job done,

to do a good job with the American people and to make sure that the mistakes the past aren't

repeated, absolutely. Thanks. So JD's been great. But here's the simple thing. And I have,

you know, some people, I don't want wars. I want wars less than almost anybody.

Peace was strength. But you know what? I've watched Iran for a long time. I've called them out

20 years ago when I was a civilian that liked watching the world. And if violent, vicious people,

the leadership, violent, vicious people.

Earlier this afternoon at the Oval Office, now there was democratic reaction to all of this

in Congress today. Here's Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

Well, Mr. President, the Senate's prayers are with the families of the six service members

killed in a plane crash late last week in Iraq. 13 U.S. service members have now been killed.

We hold them in our hearts as well as everyone killed and injured in the Middle East,

as well as their families. The war Donald Trump promised would be over quickly,

is now entering its third week and no end is in sight. Iran is fully exerting its leverage over

the Straits of Hormuz, sending oil prices surging across the globe.

Brent Crude is once again above $100 a barrel right now gas as $3.70 at the pump.

Oil executives told the White House last week no matter what happens next prices are likely to

rise even higher in the weeks ahead. So what does Donald Trump's plan to bring this economic pain

to an end? Sadly, America, he doesn't have one. It's something different every day.

No plan, no thought, no follow-through. If you listen to his press conference earlier today,

it was obvious. Donald Trump is flailing. Donald Trump claimed he predicted long ago that the

Straits of Hormuz would be used as a weapon. Well, if that's true, then he's done a terrible

job planning in advance for how to stop it from being used as a weapon and he continues to do

a terrible job containing the damage that is now occurring. Trump also claimed today, quote,

they want to make a deal. They are talking to our people. And then moments later, he said,

all their leaders are dead. We don't even know who they're dealing with. Which one is it?

The leaders want to make a deal? Or we don't know who the leaders are. If you can say the same

that, the same, that, those two contradictory things within the same few minutes,

something is dramatically wrong and it is with Donald Trump.

Does Donald Trump know who he's talking to or not? Are talks even happening? The commander

in chief seems totally lost and over and in over his depth. Donald Trump now claims that other

countries are going to help the United States clear the strait of Hormuz and bash our own allies

for voicing hesitation about putting troops in harm's way. And so far, no country has publicly

said it would step up. Now Donald Trump even says his administration has been asking China to help

us out in the strait of Hormuz. China, are you kidding me? China relying on China to get us out of a

mess that Donald Trump created? They're not going to do that. That chance they'll do that.

Donald Trump created a mess in the Middle East and he clearly has no plan for how to end it.

And as we mentioned, the Senate is expected to take up the White House-backed voter reform bill.

It is known as the Save Act. It's supposed to come up in the Senate this week. Here's what Senator

Schumer had to say about that. Mr. President, Americans are watching in horror as Donald Trump

bumbles this country into war. The latest job numbers show our economy is even weaker than we thought.

But what are Magna Republicans prioritizing in the Senate this week? They're conspiring with

Donald Trump to undermine democracy and disenfranchise millions of Americans by pushing the Save Act.

Magna Republicans want to drag this chamber down and waste time on a bill that not too long ago

was considered fringe. But now is part of the Republican mainstream.

Not a single Democrat will support the Save Act. It's a radical bill. And if Republicans try to

burn time on this legislation here on the floor, we will oppose them for as long as it takes.

Donald Trump and Senate Republicans know their numbers are sinking badly.

They know the American people are souring on their agenda. They know with each passing day the

prospects for their prospects for November get worse. So what do they do? Do they change course?

Do they try to work with Democrats to lower grocery costs? Stop the Iran war?

Help lower people's energy bills? No. Instead, Magna Republicans try to rig democracy

and disenfranchise American citizens. That's exactly what the Save Act is all about.

Remember, all the election laws that govern how the 2026 midterms will operate,

all the election laws that govern how the 2026 midterms will operate were in place

during the 2024 election. The election of Donald Trump again. The laws that will be in effect in

2026 were the same laws during the 2024 election that Donald, that the election,

that that was the election that Donald Trump won. You don't hear Donald Trump and Republicans

complain that the 2024 election was rigged. But now, the main difference is that Donald Trump

and Republicans are horribly unpopular. So suddenly they want to change the rules. Donald Trump

said it himself. He said if Republicans pass the Save Act, quote, it'll guarantee the midterms.

He's saying fix the election so that we can win. It's in the first time he's tried to do that,

albeit in a different way this time. Think about that. The president of the United States is saying

out loud that making it harder to vote will help his party win. That's how an autocrat talks.

That's how a thug talks. That is how someone who knows they're about to lose talks.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, Alex Bolton at the Hill.com writes,

GOP senators are playing their cards close to the vest ahead of this week's marathon debate

over the Save Act, but they're bracing for long hours and possible late nights in a bid to build

momentum for the bill. Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso talked about the Save Act this afternoon.

This president, I come to the floor having just heard the minority leader address this body

and talking about a fringe position and has to do with voting in America, in our elections.

And essentially what the minority leader said, he said it's fringe to have to prove that you're

a citizen in order to vote. Apparently the Democrats view that as a fringe position

that you have to prove you're a citizen in order to vote in election in the United States of

American and national election. The minority leader additionally said it was basically fringe

to have to show a photo ID when you cast a vote in election.

Mr. President, those are mainstream common sense ideas.

The Democrats and Joe Biden let 10 million if not more illegal immigrants

flood into this country over the last four years of the Biden administration.

And now what the Democrats want to do, they want to make it easier for illegal immigrants to go

to the polls and to influence and have an impact on the elections in the United States of America.

To me, that is a fringe idea to allow illegal immigrants to vote, but that's what the Democrats

are here promoting. Mr. President, I believe you should prove you're a citizen if you want to vote

in the United States. I believe you need to show a photo ID when you need to vote. That's

what we have to do in my state and in my home state of Wyoming. Many states require it,

but not the Democrat states that have been swamped with illegal immigrants in the sanctuary

cities to allow anyone to come in, abuse the laws of the land, abuse the privileges of citizens.

That to me is a fringe idea, but that's what the Democrats are going to stand for this week

on the floor of the United States Senate. Mr. President, you need to show an ID if you're

born a plane. You've got to show an ID if you go to a sporting event and buy a beer.

Why would you not have to show an ID to vote in a vote in the United States? And then to hear

the minority leader, it's astonishing. I wrote it down, he said, no more voter registration

when you get a driver's license. Is there something wrong with that? 19 states give

driver's licenses to people who are in this country illegally. So, of course, I don't want those

people to be able to be registering to vote when they get a driver's license. I don't want them

to get a driver's license. Minority leader thinks that's business as usual. Give the illegal

immigrants a voter of driver's license and sign them up to vote one step after another. We don't

care if they're here illegally or illegally. Sign them up. Maybe they'll vote for us. That's a

Democrat position in all of this. Mr. President, the bill that we're going to be addressing this week

on the floor of the Save America Act, that's the way that we can have safe, secure elections that

reflect the viewpoints of the American people. So, when I hear what's fringe, what I think is

fringe is the Democrats in this body. I think every one of them is going to stand with the extreme

wing of their party who want to allow illegal immigrants to vote and have an influence in the

elections in this country. It's absolutely wrong. This week, we're going to put everyone in

them on the record, Mr. President. And by the time this is over, every American is going to know

that the Democrats are the party, that they are the party of illegal immigrant open borders

and illegal voters. Senator Republican Whip John Buraso, Alex Bolton from the Hill, quotes Utah

Republican Senator Mike Lee, who says the president wants to see Republicans go all out and

in his visioning an epic floor fight, like the two-month battle that preceded the Senate's

passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. You can always see the Senate live on C-SPAN-2 and full

coverage on C-SPAN now and C-SPAN.org. Now, to the issue of funding the Homeland Security

Department and this from MSNOW.com, TSA agents have officially missed their full first full paycheck

as the department continues to go without funding amid a showdown between Republicans and Democrats

over immigration enforcement. Johnny Jones, a security officer at Dallas Fort Worth International

Airport, who also serves as the Secretary Treasurer of the American Federation of Government

Employees Council 100, told MSNOW that his co-workers are, quote, concerned about how they're going to

pay their bills. Some people, there's not just their bills, there's childcare, there's rent,

and maybe even cat or dog food. You know, there's a lot of other things that depend on their paychecks.

MSNOW reports of more than 300 TSA agents have quit their jobs.

House and Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries was asked about this at the Capitol this afternoon.

We've repeatedly made clear Democrats in both the House and the Senate that we should

fund the TSA, fund Coast Guard, fund CISA, fund FEMA, fund every other aspect of the Department

of Homeland Security that doesn't have to do with ICE or Donald Trump and Republicans' toxic

deportation machine that the American people are rejecting. And for whatever the reason,

Republicans have decided that they would rather shut down the whole thing than actually deal

with a situation where we get ICE under control. And the American people know that ICE is

totally out of control. And the only thing that will change it are things that can be built into

the law that are bold, meaningful, and dramatic that Democrats have proposed, including but not

limited to judicial warrant requirements before ICE agents can go breaking into the homes of American

people and then ripping them out of their homes in the middle of the night, unacceptable.

An explicit prohibition is necessary on sensitive locations. ICE agents in mass who are poorly trained

should not be able to target houses of worship, hospitals, schools, and polling locations.

We need to make sure that state and local officials can actually criminally investigate ICE

agents who violate state and local laws. There's no such thing as people having a free pass in the

United States of America. We just want ICE to conduct itself like every other law enforcement

agency in the country. So you don't see any progress in the talk? Well, you know, we continue to have

dialogue, House and Senate Democrats with the White House, and exchanging offers and counter

offers. And we're ready willing and able to find a bipartisan path forward. But the changes made

have to be bold. They have to be meaningful. They have to be transformational. We can no longer

allow the situation as it exists with ICE agents unleashing brutality on the American people,

killing and co-blood American citizens, and violently targeting law-abiding immigrant families.

And all of this is being done with a $75 billion slush fund that Republicans built into their

one big ugly bill, while ripping Medicaid and healthcare away from every day Americans.

And at the same time, snatch and food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors, and veterans.

Make it make sense for the American people because it does not.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, the House no vote scheduled today because of the weather

and members arrivals to DC. They will be in at 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning. You can of course

see them always live on C-SPAN and on C-SPAN now and C-SPAN.org. Also on the Hill agenda this week,

the confirmation hearings for President Trump's nominee to lead the Homeland Security Department,

Oklahoma Republican Senator Mark Wayne Mullen. That is scheduled for Wednesday at 9.30 a.m.

Eastern time. C-Kee Road call defense reporter Mark Satter says he thinks that hearing should

go relatively smoothly. We're not expecting any major issues with his confirmation. I mean,

he will surely get broad Republican support. And a few Democrats have also signaled that they're

on board with his nomination, including Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania. So it's likely

not a question of whether or not he'll get it, but more of a question of what he'll do.

One thing that is sure to come up is going to be the enforcement of immigration and how the Trump

administration has handled that and how Mark Wayne Mullen will handle that as the head of DHS going

forward. Is this, I mean, is the issue here that are Democrats saying that this will just be a

different person, but the policy will remain the same. And this is all happening amid that

partial government shutdown of DH funding laps. Right, right. I think that what's going to be

interesting to watch here is that Mark Wayne Mullen, of course, was a senator. He has these

relationships in the Senate already. He knows everybody there. He knows people in the house.

Of course, it goes without saying he's a close ally of the administration and is well connected

there. So it may be more of a question of how will he work with the Senate in this case and the

committee that is going to be conducting oversight of him. I mean, one notable thread that may come

up is that the committee chairman Rand Paul has been outspoken about the crackdown on illegal

immigration. He has said that the agencies have lost the public's trust. There should be reforms.

There should be investigations. So that will certainly come up. It'll be really interesting to see

how Senator Mullen, former Senator Mullen handles that. Seeker, we'll call defense program Mark

Satter on this morning's Washington Journal hearing again scheduled for 9.30 a.m. Eastern time on

Wednesday. We will have a lot of coverage of that on the C span networks. Also today by partisan

reaction from FCC chair Brendan Cars, social media comments over the weekend where he threatened to

revoke broadcasters licenses over their Iran war coverage. Massachusetts Democratic Center Elizabeth

Warren wrote on social media, quote, constitutional law 101. It's illegal for the government to censor

free speech. It just doesn't like about Trump's Iran war. This thread is straight out of the authoritarian

playbook. A similar comments on social media came from Connecticut Democratic Center Chris Murphy

and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Another Californian Democrat representative Ted Liu wrote

that such a move would be, quote, flagrantly anti-first amendment and fascist. And Wisconsin

Republican Senator Ron Johnson was also asked about it yesterday on Fox News. And finally,

because we are almost out of time, sir, I just want to get your thoughts on the SEC chairman. He has

been heavily criticizing broadcast news organizations for their war coverage,

threatening not to renew their broadcast licenses, though. And the critics jumped on a post that he

made a few years ago, you know, sort of countering himself and saying the FCC does not have a

roving mandate to please speech in the name of public interest. Obviously, there is a lot of criticism

on the very news reporting that administration is unhappy with. But do you think it's the role of

the government to police that kind of coverage, you know, from from where they sit?

Yeah, I'm big support of the first amendment. I do not like the heavy hand of government

no matter who's wielding it. So, no, I'd rather the federal government stay out of the private

sector as much as possible. And really, the federal government's role is to protect our freedoms,

protect our constitutional rights. The radio television news director's association also put out

a statement over the weekend about chair cars comments. It reads in part using federal regulatory

power to threaten broadcast licenses over coverage decisions is unconstitutional. Full stop.

The first amendment doesn't have a carve out for news. The FCC chair finds inconvenient that from

the radio television news directors association over the weekend about FCC chair cars comments

on around work coverage. You're listening to Washington today.

Rinse, it's time to be great.

Welcome back to Washington today. Now to comments from British Prime Minister Kier Starmer. He spoke

to reporters at Downing Street in London. He said the United Kingdom will not be drawn into a wider

war in the Middle East. Our priority is always the national interest and say we have been clear

and consistent in our objectives throughout this conflict. First, we will protect our people

in the region. Second, while taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies,

we will not be drawn into the wider war. And third, we will keep working towards a swift

resolution that brings security and stability back to the region and stops the Iranian threat

to its neighbours. I want to see an end to this war as quickly as possible because the longer it goes

on, the more dangerous the situation becomes and the worse it is for the cost of living back here

at home. And recent days I've visited community centres in England and Northern Ireland.

And I know people are really worried about what this means for them.

And look, I grew up working class in the 1970s. I remember how it feels when you're struggling

to make ends meet. It's a knot in your stomach every time the bills come through the door.

And that's at the forefront of my mind in meeting this crisis.

So in a moment I'll set out what we're doing to help people with the cost of living.

But let me first give you an update on what we're doing in the region.

We continue to work around the clock to help our people in the Middle East.

As of this morning, over 92,000 British nationals have returned to the UK on commercial

and government charter flights. Now that work continues, including to support British citizens in

Lebanon. Our armed forces are working 24-7 to protect British lives and British interests

and support our golf partners. We have thousands of service men and women in Cyprus and across

the region. Three squadrons of fighter jets working alongside counter drone teams to intercept

Iranian attacks. They are protecting our people, our bases and our allies, night and day.

And I pay tribute to all of them. We're also continuing our diplomatic response.

The foreign secretary has been in the region in recent days. I'm in close contact with leaders

from across the Gulf and Europe and beyond. Prime Minister Starmer also talked about releasing

emergency oil reserves in the situation in the state of Hormuz. Now we've already acted alongside

other countries to release emergency oil stocks at a level that is completely unprecedented.

But ultimately, we have to reopen the straight-off Hormuz to ensure stability in the market.

That is not a simple task. So we're working with all of our allies,

including our European partners, to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore

freedom of navigation in the region as quickly as possible. Now the Guardian reports that options

Prime Minister Starmer is looking at includes sending ships and minehunting drones to the region.

And this from the Associated Press. Massive explosions were heard in Beirut as Israel launched

new attacks on the Lebanese capital before dawn, saying with striking infrastructure,

related to the Iran-linked Hezbollah militant group. The move comes after Hezbollah began firing rockets

into northern Israel after the U.S.-Israeli attack of Iran on February 28th,

and among concerns and media reports that Israel is about to expand its military operations

into southern Lebanon. Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Denon talked about the attacks today to reporters.

The Israeli UN Ambassador Danny Denon, the Associated Press goes on to report Israel's strikes have

displaced more than one million people in southern Lebanon, and CBC.ca reports that the Israeli

military has warned those people that they won't be able to return to their homes until the safety

of Israelis living near the border has been insured. And from the Detroit News, leaders at Temple

Israel in West Bloomfield said their building will remain closed for the immediate future after

a gunman rammed through the synagogue's front doors last week and exchanged gunfire with security

before taking his own life. They added that the congregation will remain active.

They wrote on social media, quote, temple Israel is not just a building, temple Israel is us working

together toward a common and sacred goal. And today, on the House floor, Democrat Haley Stevens,

who represents the area, talked about last week's events. Last Thursday,

the Jewish community in West Bloomfield, Michigan narrowly avoided a fatal act of anti-Semitic terrorism.

The temple may be burned and battered, but every single life inside Temple Israel, the sacred space

was saved and spared. Michigan is forever grateful to the private security guards who spring into action

and put their lives on the line to avoid serious tragedy. Because of their bravery and training,

as well as the quick response of law enforcement, the congregants of Temple Israel are alive and safe.

We saw the images on our television screens, dozens and dozens of police vehicles showing up

immediately. To the Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, the West Bloomfield and Bloomfield Township

Police Department and all the first responders who answered the call. Thank you.

In far too many houses of worship, in synagogues, in churches, in mosques, Americans now find

themselves praying under the watchful eye of armed guards. No one should have to fear gathering

at a synagogue, sending their kids to religious school, or simply practicing their faith.

Tragically, this appears to be our new normal. Anti-Semitism is at its highest levels in decades,

driven by hate, and vitriol, and stirred up by social media. It has become widespread and

all too common. It has consequences. Anti-Semitic incidences are up 900% over the last decade.

In just one year, we've seen deadly attacks in Boulder, Colorado, in Washington, D.C.,

a temple in Mississippi burned down. America's only Jewish governor and his family, victims of

arson. America's Jewish community is scared by what this means for them and their place in our

society. Michigan Democratic representative, Haley Stevens, who represents the West Bloomfield

area. That's the area that includes Temple Israel, who was attacked last week. On the floor,

earlier today, you can see all of her comments at cspan.org and on the free cspan now mobile app.

The Detroit news goes on to write, yellow police tape remained draped across Temple Israel

throughout the weekend, and both entrances to the synagogue were blocked off.

Large Belfort trucks in Oakland County Sheriff's Office SUVs were parked outside.

The Detroit news also reports that Vice President Vance is expected to visit the area on Wednesday.

Finally, yesterday marked the anniversary of one of the most well-known presidential speeches

in history. Here's a story in John Meacham talking about the speech on a recent episode of America's

Book Club. Most important presidential speech ever given in your view, which speech?

I think it was, this might be surprising. I think it was Lyndon Johnson in March of 1965,

we shall overcome. I think having a president from Texas in the wake of bloody Sunday speech

written by Richard Goodwin, in which he says, I speak tonight for the dignity of man and the

destiny of democracy. There are moments where history and fate meet and form a deciding turning

point in man's unending search for freedom, so it was a election in Concord, so it was a

diplomatic, so it was last week at Selma, Alabama.

President Johnson, in fact, gave the speech to Congress eight days after bloody Sunday.

Here's more from the Seaspan Video Library.

So I ask you to join me in working long hours and nights and weekends, if necessary,

to pass this bill.

And I don't make that request lightly.

Far from the window where I sit with the problems of our country,

I recognize that from outside this chamber is the outrage conscious of a nation,

the grave concern of many nations and the harsh judgment of history on our acts.

But even if we pass this bill, the battle will not be over.

What happened in Selma is part of a far larger movement, which reaches into every section

and state of America. It is the effort of American Negroes to secure for themselves

the full blessings of American life.

Their cause must be our cause too, because it's not just Negroes, but really it's all of us

who must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice.

And we shall overcome.

March 15, 1965, President Johnson speaking to Congress, less than five months later, he signed

the Voting Rights Act into law. Among its provisions, it made it illegal to impose restrictions

on federal state and local elections that were designed to deny the vote to black Americans.

You can find all the President Johnson's speech, more on the Voting Rights Act,

and more from our America's Book Club episode with John Meacham, all at cspan.org.

That's also where you can find this program as a podcast. It's also on the cspan now mobile app,

and it's on YouTube, just search Washington today. And if you want more in the stories that

are shaping Washington every day, get our daily email, word for word, just go to cspan.org slash

connect to subscribe. I'm Gary Starrickoff. Thanks a lot for listening today to Washington today.