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1 Treasury Secretary Bessent Defends Iran Plans: "You Have To Escalate To De-Escalate"
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent went on the Sunday talk show circuit to defend the U.S.-led war against Iran, saying that escalating military pressure is actually the path to winding the conflict down. His comments came after President Trump posted a threat Saturday to "obliterate" Iranian power plants if Iran didn't fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. When pressed on whether Trump was escalating or winding down the war, Bessent said both things can be true at once, arguing that it's sometimes necessary to increase pressure before a conflict ends. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut pushed back hard on the administration's approach, comparing the escalation strategy to failed logic from past U.S. wars.
2 ICE Agents To Be Deployed To US Airports Today
ICE agents are heading to airports across the country starting Monday, as the partial government shutdown drags into its sixth week and TSA staffing shortages cause major delays for travelers. White House border czar Tom Homan confirmed the plan Sunday, saying agents will help TSA move security lines by covering entrances and exits, freeing up trained TSA officers to focus on the specialized screening work ICE agents aren't certified to do. More than 400 TSA workers have quit since the shutdown began in mid-February, and call-outs have been at their highest levels in recent days. The DHS shutdown, which paused TSA paychecks, has led to long security lines at major airports, especially during the spring break travel season.
3 Trump Administration Making Preparations For Use Of Ground Troops In Iran
Pentagon officials have drawn up detailed plans for putting U.S. ground troops into Iran, multiple sources told CBS News. Senior military commanders have submitted specific requests for that option as President Trump weighs next steps in the ongoing conflict. Trump said publicly he was not planning to send troops, but quickly added he wouldn't tip his hand if he were. The military is preparing to send units, including the 82nd Airborne Division and the Marine Corps' Marine Expeditionary Unit, to the Middle East region, with three warships and about 2,200 Marines already having departed California. The White House said the preparations simply give the president more options and do not reflect a final decision.
