Politics and views in the United States

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blames the media for misrepresenting the Iran war. A federal judge has blocked Justice Dept. subpoenas for Fed Chair Jerome Powell. And lawmakers introduce federal legislation to mandate tariff refunds.

Transcript

Welcome to 2026 Talks where we're following our democracy in historic times.

Or more fake news from CNN reports that the Trump administration underestimated the Iran War's impact on the Strait of Hormuz.

Patently ridiculous, of course.

With the Iran War in its third week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth blames the media for sullying the Trump administration's strategy.

He says Iran has used the Strait of Hormuz, an important oil shipping route, as leverage for decades.

But insider reports say administration never consulted the Treasury Department or others about the economic impact of a conflict in the Gulf.

With Iran attacking oil tankers and commercial vessels, the strait is essentially blocked and oil is around $100 a barrel.

The White House wants insurance companies to increase underwriting on the cargo and says the U.S. is assembling a coalition led by the American Navy to escort the ships.

Elise Labatt with the American School of International Service says it should have been obvious it would be difficult, if not impossible, to stop Iran from blocking the crucial waterway off its coast.

Even if they're not actually shooting them down, they're creating the fear in the mind of the commercial shipping industry and in the mind of the oil industry that they don't want to use the strait right now.

Saying it'll reduce energy prices, President Donald Trump signed an executive order using a Cold War-era law to mandate a return to drilling off the California coast.

And Energy Secretary Chris Wright is pushing to restart work on the state's Santa Ynez pipeline.

But Governor Gavin Newsom says the pipeline's owners already face criminal charges and are legally prohibited from further work.

Meanwhile D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is criticizing a judge for denying Justice Department subpoenas of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Justice James Boesberg ruled the case is animated by Trump's resentment of Powell and the President's demands for lower interest rates.

Boesberg says the subpoenas are entirely unsupported by evidence.

Pirro argues they're a legitimate legal tool, adding the American people deserve answers about the cost overruns Powell is accused of.

Powell is likely to remain as Fed Chair until his term expires in May.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers have vowed to block Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh's confirmation until the investigation ends.

New federal legislation would give people nationwide tariff refunds.

The Tariff Relief for Consumers Act uses the estimated $166 billion collected from Trump's first round of tariffs to reimburse consumers.

Representative Rosa DeLauro, the bill's sponsor, says the goal is to give relief from everyday high prices.

The bill prohibits companies receiving refunds from paying out dividends or conducting stock buybacks until they have provided relief to consumers because my view is that consumers and small businesses need to come before their wealthy shareholders.

According to the Yale Budget Lab, new levies Trump wants to impose would initially cost consumer $572 but would rise to more than $1,100 if they're continuously renewed.

I'm Edwin J. Vieira for Pacifica Network and Public News Service.

Find our trust indicators at PublicNewsService.org.