Trump Blasts DHS Decision to Pause Immigration Traffic Stops
The Morning Buzz: July 15, 2026
1. Trump Blasts DHS Decision to Pause Immigration Traffic Stops
For POLITICO, Myah Ward reports on President Donald Trump’s pushback against the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) temporary pause of vehicle stops made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The decision was made following two ICE-involved shootings during vehicle stops this month in Texas and Maine. PRRI data from February – following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis – found that the majority of Americans (57%) agree that the surge of ICE officers in places like Minnesota is making communities less safe. Despite DHS’s halt, Trump urged ICE agents to “go back and do your very important job.” The PRRI American Identity Survey finds that the majority of Americans (58%) hold unfavorable views of Trump’s handling of immigration, dropping across all partisans since March 2025.
2. Trump Ally Blanche Vows to Regain Senators’ Trust at Attorney General Confirmation Hearing
For The Washington Post, Jeremy Roebuck and Theodoric Meyer report on acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing. Blanche, President Donald Trump’s former defense lawyer, took over the Department of Justice after his predecessor, Pam Bondi, was fired in April. Democrats plan to question Blanche on his handling of the Epstein files and his plan to create a $1.8 billion fund for Trump supporters claiming to be the victims of political persecution. Blanche’s confirmation is made even more complicated by the recent death of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), which further narrows Republicans' already razor-thin majority in the Senate. The 2025 PRRI American Values Survey finds that less than half of all Americans (47%) have a great deal or some confidence in the Department of Justice.
3. U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran As Blockade Resumes
USA Today reports that on Tuesday, the United States conducted a fourth straight day of military strikes on Iran, escalating the conflict with Tehran before reinstating a blockade on Iranian ports. The Trump administration’s recent directives toward Iran eliminate key components of a memorandum of understanding the two sides agreed to in June, which included an open Straight of Hormuz and a 60-day ceasefire. In an interview with Fox News, President Trump threatened that U.S. military strikes will worsen if Iran does not get serious about reaching a deal. The 2026 PRRI American Identity Survey finds that two-thirds of Americans hold unfavorable views of Trump’s handling of the war in Iran (66%), compared with 29% of Americans who hold favorable views. Republicans are the most supportive (67%), compared with 21% of independents and just 4% of Democrats.
4. Abortion Is on the Ballot in Maine and Texas
For The 19th, Shefali Luthra writes that while abortion has not been a central focus of the Texas Senate campaign, the candidates’ contrasting records on the issue could play a significant role in the closely watched race. As Texas attorney general, Republican nominee Ken Paxton defended and enforced the state’s near-total abortion ban. Democratic nominee James Talarico, a state legislator, has consistently criticized the law, highlighting its lack of exceptions for survivors of rape and incest. The 19th also highlights how abortion is expected to be a major issue in Maine’s Senate race, where Democrats hope to capitalize on what they view as a political vulnerability for Republican Sen. Susan Collins. The 2025 PRRI American Values Atlas finds that 55% of Texans and 62% of Maine residents think abortion should be legal in most or all cases.
What’s Buzzing
Learn more in the Survey Report: Competing Visions of America at 250: Politics, Religion, and American Identity