#1
★ Gold
President Trump delivered a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on March 23, threatening to destroy Iranian power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz by the deadline (~19:55 ET March 25). Iran responded by warning it would target US infrastructure in the Gulf, including energy facilities and desalination plants serving Saudi Arabia and the UAE — countries dependent on desalinated water for survival.
#3
★ Silver
President Trump ordered ICE agents to U.S. airports to assist with security as the DHS shutdown enters its sixth week. Over 400 TSA employees have resigned and thousands call out daily, causing widespread security delays. Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic attempt to separately fund TSA in a 41-49 vote Saturday, insisting on comprehensive DHS funding tied to immigration enforcement.
#4
★ Silver
President Trump temporarily suspended the century-old Jones Act, allowing foreign-flagged ships to transport goods between U.S. ports for 60 days. The waiver aims to reduce shipping costs for energy, fertilizers, and essential commodities as the Strait of Hormuz disruption drives up logistics expenses across the domestic supply chain.
#5
★ Silver
The Trump administration ruled out an oil export ban but announced a major push to streamline permitting for energy infrastructure development, with WTI crude trading at $101/barrel. The strategy aims to accelerate domestic energy production to offset supply disruptions from the Hormuz closure, focusing on reducing approval timelines for pipelines, refineries, and export terminals.
#6
★ Gold
European leaders confront an impossible strategic dilemma as Trump explicitly links continued US NATO involvement to European cooperation on his Hormuz mission. Germany, France, and other EU states face the prospect of diverting Patriot missile systems from Ukraine to the Middle East. Spain, Germany, Australia, and Canada have rejected participation in the US-led naval mission, while France and Italy explore direct negotiations with Iran for separate shipping guarantees.
#8
★ Silver
The Supreme Court hears oral arguments Monday in Watson v. RNC, a Trump-backed challenge to state laws allowing ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted after the deadline. A ruling against current practices could affect voting procedures in 14 states ahead of the 2026 midterms, with implications for military and overseas voters who rely on mail-in ballot grace periods.