The Daily Brief — June 18, 2026
SCOTUS narrows gun ban, GOP criticizes Iran peace deal, US troops in Europe
These are today’s top stories, delivered straight to your inbox. Catch up here on all the news.
SCOTUS Narrows Gun Ban
The Supreme Court unanimously concluded that a federal law that bars illegal drug users from owning firearms does not automatically apply to users of marijuana.
In 2022, federal agents searched Ali Hemani’s home near Dallas, TX, and found a pistol, marijuana, and cocaine. The FBI was investigating Hemani for his travel to Iran and his brother’s attendance at an Iranian university.
After Hemani told the agents he used marijuana about every other day, Hemani was ultimately charged only under a federal law that makes it a crime for anyone who is “an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” to possess a gun, with a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison. Hemani argued that his conviction under the law violated his Second Amendment rights.
While using marijuana was not something the Founders wrote about when considering gun restrictions, the government argued that historic precedent allowed people who were considered “habitual drunkards” to be disarmed, even at the Founding.
Justice Neil Gorsuch, writing for the Court, rejected the government’s claim, saying that they did not actually establish how much marijuana Hemani used, how potent it was, or what effect it had on him. Gorsuch wondered if Hemani was a “risk to himself or his family,” or if he “used a mild gummy as a sleep aid a few times a week.” According to Gorsuch, the government claimed it didn’t matter. They also failed to establish whether Hemani was violent, an addict, a danger to himself or others, or unable to manage his own affairs –– potential criteria they might use when determining whether someone is a habitual drunkard and can thus have their gun rights restricted.
The Court’s decision does not strike down the underlying law — Gorsuch said the ruling is “a narrow one” that does not address disarming addicts, habitual drunkards, people who are intoxicated, or those shown to be individually dangerous.
Iran Peace Deal
President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a framework agreement yesterday, extending the ceasefire for 60 days and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
The deal calls for the immediate end of fighting on all fronts. Iran agreed to allow commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, toll free, for 60 days. After that, Iran will work with Oman to determine the “future administration and maritime services,” leaving the door open for Iran to charge tolls in the future.
The deal called for lifting the US blockade of Iranian ports — which Vice President JD Vance said today has already happened — and for the US to waive sanctions on Iranian oil. Iran reiterated that it would never build a nuclear weapon, a position it has long held. The deal does not address Iran’s ballistic missile program. Yesterday, Trump told reporters that he did not object in principle to Iran possessing ballistic missiles if other countries have them, saying it would be “a little bit unfair” to deny Iran capabilities that others possess.
GOP Slams US–Iran Deal
Several Senate Republicans are criticizing the Iran agreement, arguing it gives Tehran too much while failing to constrain its nuclear program or missile capabilities. Much of the criticism also focused on a provision in the 14-point framework calling for a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) wrote, “Reagan is rolling over in his grave” and called the deal “the worst foreign policy blunder in decades.” Cassidy argued the agreement leaves Iran’s nuclear ambitions intact, rewards it with sanctions relief and reconstruction funding, and signals that threatening the Strait of Hormuz produces concessions. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said the president is “receiving some very poor advice on this deal.”
The Trump administration has defended the deal, with Vance saying Iran cannot receive sanctions relief or access frozen assets until it meets its commitments. Vance has said US taxpayers will not pay into the fund, and that investment is expected to come from governments and private investors in the Gulf.
Newsbreak
If your dad is a nature lover, grab him a copy of The Backyard Bird Chronicles for Father’s Day this weekend. Written by Amy Tan, the book maps the passage of time through daily entries, thoughtful questions, and beautiful original sketches of the birds Tan found visiting her yard. Inspired to look to the natural world in 2016 — in a moment when, as now, the country felt particularly divided and social media especially toxic — the author discovered birdwatching as an opportunity to savor quiet moments during a volatile time, connect to nature in a meaningful way, and imagine the intricate lives of the birds she admired.
US Troops in Europe
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth today lashed out at NATO allies that refused to allow US forces to access their bases because of the war in Iran. Hegseth called their actions “shameful” and announced a six-month Pentagon review of American troop levels in Europe as the US pushes NATO allies to take primary responsibility for the continent’s defense.
The review, Hegseth said, will determine “how fast and irreversibly” Europe takes the lead on its own defense. He also warned that the US could withhold some NATO contributions from “free riding” allies that fail to meet defense spending targets.
The review follows a June 3 US announcement that, in any future crisis, the US will not commit an aircraft carrier and support ships, aerial refueling planes, and dozens of fighter jets to the alliance.
Obama Center Opening
Former presidents and first ladies joined Barack andMichelle Obama in Chicago today for the dedication of the new Obama Presidential Center.
President Trump, who called the project a “total disaster” on social media in February, was not invited.
The $850 million, privately funded, 19-acre campus in Chicago includes a museum chronicling Obama’s presidency, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, gardens, an athletic center, and basketball courts. The ceremony featured performances by Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Bono, and others.
The campus opens to the public tomorrow on Juneteenth.
Trump Settles Lawsuit
President Donald Trump has settled his lawsuit against his niece, Mary Trump, over her role in providing confidential family financial records to The New York Times. The Times won a Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for its report about those financial records.
Trump sued his niece in 2021, alleging she violated a confidentiality agreement from a 2001 settlement over the estate of his father, Fred Trump Sr., by sharing tax and financial documents with reporters. Mary Trump, a psychologist, identified herself as a Times source in her 2020 memoir, Too Much and Never Enough. The president had sought $100 million in damages.
Both sides told a New York state court earlier this week that they would seek dismissal with prejudice, preventing Trump from filing a suit again in the future. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
A judge dismissed Trump’s related claims against the Times and its three reporters in 2023 and ordered him to pay nearly $400,000 in legal fees.