‘Words Don’t Matter’

Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for June 18, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

JD Vance is defending the new Iran peace deal – touting what he views as the U.S.’s superior position without sharing additional details about unspecified “gentlemen’s agreements” between the two countries.

The vice president insisted the deal is already benefitting Americans, adding that gas prices will continue to fall after they dropped below $4 for the first time since March.

• “Words don’t matter, ladies and gentlemen,” Vance said at a news conference this morning. “We’re about verification.”

• Congress received the formal signed copy of the deal today, Vance added, and the White House will brief lawmakers soon.

Donald Trump is still backtracking on provisions of the deal he’s signed twice, posting on Truth Social that “there is no 300 billion dollar payment to Iran by the U.S. That’s Fake News!”

Vance also reemphasized Trump’s influence as leader of a world superpower to Israeli critics. The president, he said, “is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time” — and warned Israeli Cabinet members against attacking their “only powerful ally.”

THE ADMINISTRATION

Pete Hegseth said he expects some NATO countries to “fail” a Pentagon-led review of U.S. forces in Europe, criticizing the allied countries for not taking part in the war against Iran.

The Department of the Interior must restore exhibits that mentioned topics like race, climate and LGBTQ+ communities — and ensure that they “remain available and visible to the public” when reinstalled, a federal judge ruled.

• The administration can replace a slavery exhibit at George Washington’s Philadelphia home, a federal appeals court ruled in a separate case.

Scientists say Health and Human Services is misinterpreting their data and ignoring evidence to push Medicaid work requirements.

THE HILL

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-New Jersey), will return for House votes on June 30 after being absent for more than three months with an undisclosed health issue. The House is scheduled to leave for recess July 2.

Michigan Democrats allege a conservative “dark money” nonprofit’s TV ad for Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers violated a federal disclosure rule.

The Protect College Sports Act passed the Senate Commerce Committee by a 19-9 vote, and could soon see a full vote on the floor.

The federal government would get a 50% stake in AI giants like Open AI in a new bill introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) — a more aggressive version of Trump’s idea. Sanders told NOTUS he’s having conversations with conservative senators about his bill.

THE DISTRICT

Janeese Lewis George will all but likely be D.C.’s next mayor after her opponent Kenyan McDuffie conceded the city’s mayoral primary this morning.

HE WAS MY DOG

Thank you for reading! Today’s newsletter was produced by Kelly Poe and Erik Schutz. If you liked it, please forward it to a friend. If someone shared it with you, please sign up — it’s free! Got a tip or comments to share? Email us at finalnotus@notus.com.