[Thursday, February 19] US News Headlines from r/politics
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DAILY BRIEFING
By Dr. Headline, HeadlineSquare February 19, 2026
Executive Summary
- U.S. Poised for Iran Strike: President Trump is set to decide on military action against Iran within 10 days. The U.S. has moved a second carrier and a specialized fighter squadron into the region but faces a UK ban on using its bases and a bipartisan congressional effort to block unilateral war.
- Epstein-Andrew Fallout: The UK arrest of former Prince Andrew ignited political blowback in the U.S., fueling criticism of the DOJ. New reports allege the DOJ scrubbed a Trump accuser’s records from Epstein files, and a House panel revealed billionaire Les Wexner gave Epstein “about a billion dollars.”
- Immigration Crackdown: New directives grant ICE powers to arrest legal refugees, a policy a federal judge called “’terror’.” Enforcement has sparked international incidents, including the arrest of journalists reporting on a “Secret Deportation Compound in Cameroon.”
- Economic & Domestic Tensions: The U.S. trade deficit hit a record high in 2025 despite tariffs, stoking administration infighting. An explosive device was found at a North Carolina early voting site, as talks to fund Homeland Security collapsed, raising the threat of a shutdown.
1. National Security and Foreign Affairs
1.1 U.S. Weighs Military Action Against Iran Amid International and Domestic Hurdles
The United States military is positioned for potential strikes against Iran, with President Trump announcing he will decide on military action within the next 10 days [1]. The Pentagon has moved additional weaponry into the Middle East, including a second aircraft carrier and a fighter jet squadron reportedly sent to “kick the door down” [2, 3, 4]. President Trump publicly warned of “bad things” if Tehran does not agree to a deal, a declaration that contributed to a jump in global oil prices [5, 1].
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