Midday Briefing — May 28, 2026

DOJ Investigation. The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll. This inquiry follows Carroll's successful lawsuit against Trump for sexual abuse and defamation. The Justice Department's action marks a significant development in the legal proceedings involving Carroll.

Pentagon Software Deal. Dell has secured a $9.7 billion Pentagon software deal after donating to Trump accounts. This contract award comes as a "Trump accounts app" has gone live, with Bessent stating the app was coming Thursday. The deal coincides with reports of the U.S. and Iran trading strikes, which Trump has dismissed as political pressure around the deal.

Mail Voting Order. A judge has refused to block a Trump order to limit mail voting. The ruling stated there is no immediate effect on the midterms, but it declines, for now, to block mail-in voting changes ordered by Trump. This decision also involves a federal judge refusing to block Trump's order to create a federal voter list.

Iranian Sanctions. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on an Iranian agency attempting to control the Strait of Hormuz. Bessent announced these sanctions on Iran's Hormuz Strait authority to block toll payments. The U.S. also warned Oman not to allow tolls in the strait.