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Today’s top stories

As fighting between the U.S. and Iran continues, the political stakes for President Trump are growing ahead of November’s midterm elections. Earlier this week, Trump formally notified Congress that the U.S. is back at war with Iran. The administration says the notice starts a new 60-day window to continue military action without additional congressional approval.

• 🎧 The political fallout may come down to gas prices. If these new strikes weaken Iran’s regime and open the Strait of Hormuz, sending gas prices down, Trump could benefit politically, ReadNOW’s Franco Ordoñez tells Up First. But if fighting escalates, Iran retains control of the major waterway and energy costs rise, the president and Republicans could feel that impact with voters. A majority of Americans oppose the war, but Trump’s Republican base has largely remained behind him and continues to trust his framing of the conflict, Ordoñez says.

Jay Clayton, Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence, faced sharp questioning from senators about his views on the 2020 election and whether he would remain independent from the president.

• 🎧 Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee repeatedly asked Clayton who won the 2020 election. He responded by saying he isn’t an election denier and acknowledged that Joe Biden was certified as president, but didn’t explicitly say he won. ReadNOW’s Greg Myre says this line of questioning is likely a focus because the director of national intelligence could be part of any investigation into the 2020 election. Clayton has never worked in the intelligence community, but says he has extensive experience collaborating with intelligence agencies.
• ➡️ In a separate confirmation hearing, Todd Blanche, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, faced intense questioning about the controversies that have troubled the Justice Department over the past 18 months. Here are the key takeaways.

The American Civil Liberties Union has released a new report detailing Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s extensive use of force. The report examined more than 1,200 immigration enforcement operations across eight states and found that nearly one-third involved force or the threat of force. Researchers documented officers tackling or pinning people to the ground and using chemical irritants, rubber bullets and tasers.

Life advice

Extreme heat is gripping much of the world. For people without air conditioning, or who can’t afford to use it, a heat researcher offers these tips: