Evening Briefing — June 15, 2026

Justice Department Investigation. Gavin Newsom stated he is under investigation by the Justice Department, and he attributed this to an order from Trump. Newsom also said his wife is part of the investigation. Multiple reports confirm Newsom's statement regarding the Justice Department investigation.

Iran Peace Deal. A US-Iran peace deal has been announced, with Trump celebrating his 80th birthday at the White House with the deal and UFC cage fights. Senator Thune stated that Congress needs more information about the deal. The agreement is expected to open the Strait of Hormuz and may impact gas prices and inflation.

AI Regulation Concerns. Cybersecurity executives are urging the Trump administration to ease restrictions on Anthropic AI models. This comes as an Anthropic model takedown fuels warnings of "ad hoc" AI regulation. The debate centers on the balance between innovation and oversight in the AI sector.

Strategic Oil Reserve. The US strategic oil reserve has reached its lowest level since 1983. This development coincides with oil prices steadying near their lowest point since March, influenced by the outlook for the Hormuz Deal. The status of the reserve raises questions about national energy security.