Cities with row homes are among my favorite in the U.S. Looking at you, D.C., Philly and Brooklyn.

The big picture: A key part of those cities is their stoop culture: the art of sitting outside, observing the street scene — and chatting with passersby, who might eventually go from strangers to friends.

Zoom in: Longtime San Franciscan Patty Smith wrote recently for the newsletter Supernuclear about how she and her husband Tyler set out to meet more neighbors by making a de facto stoop.

• The approach was radically doable: Instead of drinking coffee in their house on the weekend, they set up folding chairs on the street.

What blossomed was a more interconnected community and new traditions, including sidewalk potlucks (like a pancake party), a TV watch party, a cookie swap and a parent hang at a brewery. Plus, an active WhatsApp chat for future planning.

• All it took was one neighbor joining them on the "stoop," and then another... and another.

Why it matters: Research shows that knowing your neighbors comes with all sorts of perks, from better health to safer streets. But the share of Americans who know their neighbors has fallen over the last several decades. Committing to stoop culture could be a fix.

• "Our neighborhood community is now a group of people that we rely on and who rely on us for emotional support, last-minute child care, home-cooked meals, general camaraderie and much more," Smith writes.

Try it!

1. Keep it simple. "To avoid burnout, we've intentionally kept our community-building as low-lift as possible," Smith writes. You don't need to plan a party. Just start having your coffee outside.
2. Think of sidewalks and streets as places to gather. Those who live in smaller spaces know this concept well. An unused parking spot can be a place to hang out.
3. Don't overlook the front yard. Our default is to host gatherings in our backyards, but simply shifting them to the front can be an easy way to meet new people. "You capture some traffic walking by ... and then they see you out there and they wonder what it is. Before long, you've got more people in the group," Laura Carlson, a mom looking to build community in San Francisco, told Axios' Carly Mallenbaum.

My thought bubble: My partner Andy surprised me last year with a patio in our tiny patch of front lawn space shared with other condo owners, who luckily consented.

• With a table and chairs, we've gathered to pass out candy on Halloween, eaten dinner and even brought our laptops outside to work.
• We've met more of our neighbors and learned more about them than we would have from the requisite greeting in the hallway.

Iran is open to basing a nuclear deal with the U.S. around the idea of a regional uranium enrichment consortium, so long as it is located within Iran, a senior Iranian official tells Axios.

Why it matters: The regional enrichment consortium is a key element in the proposal White House envoy Steve Witkoff gave Iran on Saturday. It's an attempt to reconcile President Trump's position that Iran can't be allowed to enrich uranium and Tehran's insistence that enrichment on its soil must continue.

The intrigue: "If the consortium operates within the territory of Iran, it may warrant consideration. However, should it be based outside the borders of the country, it is certainly doomed to fail," the senior Iranian official told Axios.

• That response suggests Tehran may not outright reject Witkoff's offer, but instead seek to negotiate on the fine print.
• Axios first reported the details of Witkoff's proposal on Monday.

Zoom in: The proposal doesn't clearly define where the consortium would be located.

• In theory, the consortium would include the U.S., Iran and countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and even Turkey.
• It would supply nuclear fuel to countries who want to develop civilian nuclear programs and be monitored by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors.

Between the lines: There could be a path by which the U.S. can declare that Iran is not allowed to enrich uranium — because the enrichment would over time be overseen by a broader group and not just Iran's government — and Iran can claim its red line around enrichment remains intact.

• But settling on terms to which both sides can agree will be a challenge, not to mention actually establishing such a consortium.

The big picture: According to the U.S. proposal, the nuclear deal will focus on creating a regional enrichment consortium under these conditions:

• Iran won't be allowed to develop domestic enrichment capabilities beyond those necessary for civilian purposes.
• After signing the agreement, Iran will have to temporarily reduce its enrichment concentration to 3%. This period will be agreed upon in negotiations.
• Iran's underground enrichment facilities will have to become "non-operational" for a period of time agreed by the parties.
• The enrichment activity in Iran's above-ground facilities will temporarily be limited to the level needed for nuclear reactor fuel.

What to watch: The U.S. is still waiting to receive Iran's response for the proposal in the coming days.

• Iranian officials have already said they want more clarity on when and how the U.S. would lift its sanctions under the proposal.
• A sixth round of nuclear talks between White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi could take place this weekend in the Middle East, sources say.

Go deeper:

• Trump cautioned Netanyahu to avoid steps that undermine Iran nuclear talks
• Gulf leaders told Trump they oppose strikes on Iran's nuclear program
• Iran threatens to move nuclear material to secret sites to thwart Israeli strike

President Trump signed an order Tuesday doubling tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50% for al trading partners except the U.S. — drawing swift criticism from officials in neighboring Canada and Mexico.

Why it matters: Trump's order said the increased tariffs that took effect early Wednesday "will more effectively counter" countries that "offload low-priced, excess steel and aluminum" in the U.S., but economic officials have said such levies would lead to higher consumer prices and inflation.

• A European Union official said after Trump announced the metal tariffs plan at a U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania on Friday that the president's decision "adds further uncertainty to the global economy and increases costs for consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic."

Details: Trump says in the order that the previously imposed steel and aluminum tariffs had helped "provide critical price support" in the U.S.

• However, "they have not yet enabled these industries to develop and maintain the rates of capacity production utilization that are necessary for the industries' sustained health and for projected national defense needs," he said.
• "I have determined that increasing the previously imposed tariffs will provide greater support to these industries and reduce or eliminate the national security threat posed by imports of steel and aluminum articles and their derivative articles."

Yes, but: Steel and aluminum imports from the U.K. will remain at 25% until at least July 9 due to the framework for a sweeping new trade pact that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trump signed last month.

State of play: The U.K. is not a leading exporter of the metals to the U.S., but Reuters notes that Canada exports the most steel by shipment volumes to the U.S. followed by Mexico.

• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's office said in a Tuesday media statement that his government was "engaged in intensive and live negotiations" for the removal of the tariffs, which it described as "unlawful and unjustified."
• Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said during a Tuesday event that he'd seek an exemption for the country from the tariffs that he called "not fair" and "unsustainable," per multiple reports.

Flashback: Canada and Mexico were exempted from tariffs Trump imposed on the metals for trading partners during his first term.

What they're saying: Kevin Dempsey, president of industry group American Iron and Steel Institute, in a statement welcomed Trump's tariffs action.

• "Led by China, global steel overcapacity and production continues to grow, even as overall global steel demand is being impacted by the sharp downturn in the Chinese construction sector," he said.
• "Given these challenging international conditions that show no signs of improvement, this tariff action will help prevent new surges in imports that would injure American steel producers and their workers."

The other side: Robert Budway, president of industry group the Can Manufacturers Institute, in a statement said the tariffs hike would "further increase the cost of canned goods" at grocery stores.

• "This cost is levied upon millions of American families relying on canned foods picked and packed by U.S. farmers, food producers, and can makers," he added.

What we're watching: While Trump campaigned on using tariffs to boost the economy and revive the domestic industry, he has so far mostly quickly pulled back on imposing hefty levies.

Go deeper: Trump puts U.S. Steel cart before the horse

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

President Trump formally asked Congress on Tuesday to rescind $9.4 billion in already approved funding for foreign aid and the Corporation of Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds NPR and PBS.

Why it matters: The rescissions package is an attempt to codify DOGE-driven cuts amid a wider push a wider push from the Trump administration to target traditional news organizations Republicans perceive as biased against them.

• NPR and PBS are suing the administration after Trump signed an executive order last month that directed CPB to "cease direct funding" for the two biggest public broadcasters in the U.S., which he called "biased."

Details: Congressional Republican leaders in a Tuesday night joint statement confirmed they had received Trump's recessions request to revoke $8.3 billion in funding for foreign assistance and $1.1 billion from the CPB.

• "Now that this wasteful spending by the federal government has been identified by DOGE, quantified by the Administration, and sent to Congress, House Republicans will fulfill our mandate and continue codifying into law a more efficient federal government," per the statement that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) posted on X.
• "This is exactly what the American people deserve," the statement added. "Next week, we will put the rescissions bill on the floor of the House and encourage all our Members to support this commonsense measure."

What they're saying: NPR CEO Katherine Maher noted in a statement on the White House memorandum stating it was asking Congress to "claw back" funding that such a revocation would cause immediate budget shortfalls, with dire consequences.

• "This would result in cancellation of beloved local and national programming, a reduction in local news coverage and newsroom jobs, a severe curtailing (if not elimination) of public radio music stations who depend on CPB to negotiate music licenses, reduction in service areas for rural and remote communities, as well as forcing dozens of local stations to shutter operations," she said.
• "Rescission would irreparably harm communities across America who count on public media for 24/7 news, music, cultural and educational programming, and emergency alerting services."
• Representatives for PBS did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday evening, but its CEO Paula Kerger previously told Axios she would "vigorously" defend the public broadcaster's board from any political interference.

What we're watching: Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is warning that she's concerned by cuts to AIDS relief in Africa in the rescissions package the White House sent to Congress.

• "I am concerned about PEPFAR — very concerned — and it looks like there's a cut, but I need to look at it more closely," she said.
• Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) thinks the package will ultimately pass.

Editor's note: This a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

Wells Fargo is shedding the last major link to the fake accounts scandal that dogged the bank: the Federal Reserve on Tuesday said that it would no longer cap how much the institution could grow.

Why it matters: For the first time in seven years, Wells Fargo is free to expand its business — take in more deposits, lend more to businesses and make acquisitions — in ways that might help it better compete on Wall Street.

What they're saying: "The removal of the growth restriction reflects the substantial progress the bank has made in addressing its deficiencies," said the Fed, which regulates the bank, in a statement.

Flashback: The Fed imposed a $2 trillion asset cap on Wells Fargo in 2018 — the most painful regulatory punishment imposed in the aftermath of the bank's fake accounts scandal.

• The scandal was the company's biggest in its century-old history: employees opened millions of fake accounts on behalf of consumers who did not authorize them to do so.

Zoom in: An aggressive internal sales culture put pressure on employees. "Spurred by sales targets and compensation incentives, employees boosted sales figures by covertly opening accounts," the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said in 2016.

• The CFPB was the first federal agency to take crack down on the bank after Los Angeles filed a suit alleging the wrongdoing in 2015.
• Years of other scandals, record fines, congressional hearings and a criminal investigation followed.

State of play: Wells Fargo said the removal of the asset cap was "a pivotal milestone" in its transformation.

• "We are a different and far stronger company today because of the work we've done," said Charlie Scharf, the bank's third CEO since the height of the scandal, in a statement.
• "We are excited to continue to move forward with plans to further increase returns and growth in a deliberate manner supported by the processes and cultural changes we have made," Scharf said, adding full-time employees would receive $2,000 bonuses.

The Trump administration on Tuesday rescinded guidance telling health providers who perform abortions in emergency cases that they're protected under federal law even if bans exist in their states.

Why it matters: The directive was issued by the Biden administration to give legal assurances to physicians and other providers facing questions about what qualifies as an emergency under a state ban.

• Since then, courts have grappled with how state restrictions and federal directives on emergency health care mesh. The Supreme Court last year dismissed a case surrounding Idaho's ban without ruling on the merits.

Driving the news: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Tuesday that the 2022 guidance and an accompanying directive from former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra "do not reflect the policy of this administration."

• It said it would continue to enforce a federal law that requires emergency rooms to perform necessary care for anyone who comes through the door and "work to rectify any perceived legal confusion and instability created by the former administration's actions."
• The move tracks with the principles laid out in the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, which called for HHS to rescind Biden-era guidance around the emergency care law, known as EMTALA.

The other side: The decision "shows a callous disregard for the law and people's lives," said Amy Friedrich-Karnik, director of federal policy at the pro-abortion rights Guttmacher Institute.

• "EMTALA's importance has only increased as our nation reckons with the fallout from the Dobbs decision, which has led to a fractured and chaotic abortion access landscape," she said.
• Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, deputy director of the ACLU's Reproductive Freedom Project, said the administration sent a clear signal that it is siding with its anti-abortion allies — a move the group said will come at the expense of women's lives.
• 13 states have total abortion bans in place and others restrict care throughout pregnancy, per Guttmacher.

Catch up quick: The Biden administration issued the directive soon after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

• The concern was that treating a pregnancy-related medical emergency, or transferring a patient to another facility, could run afoul of state laws and make the providers subject to prosecution.
• Some of the state bans allow exceptions for medical emergencies. But abortion rights advocates and some patients and doctors have gone to court, arguing that ambiguous wording has resulted in delayed or denied care and jeopardized patients' health.
• Media reports have cited multiple instances in which women died in states with abortion bans while having complicated miscarriages at a hospital. Experts have said emergency abortions could have prevented the deaths.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals early last year ruled that EMTALA did not preempt Texas' strict abortion ban. The Supreme Court declined to hear a Biden administration appeal.

Israeli soldiers fired on Palestinian civilians making their way to the humanitarian aid distribution centers in southern Gaza on Tuesday, with the Red Cross saying at least 27 people were declared dead at its nearby field hospital after the shooting.

• The Israel Defense Forces have confirmed its soldiers opened fire but claimed they shot far fewer than 27 people.

Why it matters: The UN and other aid organizations warned for weeks that exactly these kind of incidents would result from civilians needing to pass through IDF lines to reach the newly established aid centers.

Driving the news: In recent weeks, the U.S. and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) launched a new mechanism aimed at delivering aid to Palestinian civilians without Hamas taking control of or getting credit for it.

• The GHF and Israeli officials say hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have already received food, medicine and other supplies at the aid sites.
• But this was the second mass casualty event near the aid centers in 48 hours. At least 31 people were reportedly killed on Sunday on their way to a distribution site.
• During that incident, Hamas accused IDF soldiers of opening fire on the crowd, while IDF officials claim they have evidence that militants fired at the civilians to prevent them from reaching the aid centers.

The latest: The IDF confirmed its forces opened fire in Tuesday's incident, saying a group of Palestinian civilians had deviated from the designated routes to the aid facility and were approaching IDF soldiers.

• "The troops carried out warning fire, and after the suspects failed to retreat, additional shots were directed near a few individual suspects who advanced toward the troops," the IDF said.
• A senior IDF official said the commander of the IDF southern command is currently investigating the incident, but the initial findings show the Palestinians who were fired at "got lost" on their way to the aid center and got close to the soldiers by mistake.
• "This is a scenario we were concerned about and we have been making big efforts to prevent it," the IDF official said.

The Red Cross said its field hospital received 184 patients, including 19 who were dead on arrival and another eight who died of their injuries. Most suffered gunshot wounds, according to the statement.

• The influx "threatened to overwhelm the capacity of staff to respond," the Red Cross aid, adding that "civilians trying to access humanitarian assistance should not have to confront danger."
• An Israel Defense Forces official had put the death toll lower on Tuesday, saying there had been at least five killed and several wounded.

What they're saying: The incident added to the growing international backlash around the new aid mechanism, which the UN and other aid groups have refused to work with.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an investigation into both incidents on Sunday and Tuesday and said it was "unacceptable" for people to risk their lives simply to get food.

However, Israeli political and military leaders continue to argue the mechanism is working effectively.

• "Hamas is under pressure because we pulled the rug under its feet both economically and regarding its governance in Gaza. The Palestinian public sees it can get aid from people who are not Hamas and is satisfied with it," a senior Israeli official said.
• Johnie Moore, GHF's newly appointed executive chairman, said the foundation was "demonstrating that it is possible to move vast quantities of food to people who need it most safely efficiently and effectively."
• Israel cut off all aid to Gaza for two months before resuming it two weeks ago. The UN and aid groups continue to call for greater humanitarian access.

Elon Musk's brutal attacks Tuesday on President Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill" instantly became a centerpiece of Democratic messaging.

Why it matters: The recently departed Trump lieutenant blasted the bill as a "disgusting abomination" as Trump and GOP leaders are struggling to get it across the finish line in the Senate.

• To House Democrats' glee, Musk's broadside comes after nearly all House Republicans voted for the legislation in its current form.
• "It's very disappointing," House Speaker Mike Johnoson (R-La.) told reporters.

Driving the news: "I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore," Musk said in a post on his social media site X.

• "This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it."

Democrats quickly pounced on the comments, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) expounding upon them at length at a press conference where he displayed a blown-up graphic of Musk's post.

• "Breaking news. Elon Musk and I agree with each other," Jeffries said. "Every single Republican who voted for the One Big Ugly Bill should be ashamed of themselves."
• "We're happy to see that Elon agrees with us that every Republican who voted for the tax scam should lose their job," said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Viet Shelton.

The other side: Johnson told reporters he and Musk had a "long conversation" Tuesday and described the billionaire tech entrepreneur as a "very good friend" but said he is "terribly wrong" about the bill.

• "He and I spoke for, I think, more than 20 minutes on the telephone, and I extolled all the virtues of the bill. And he seemed to understand that," Johnson said, calling Musk's opposition "surprising" in light of that call.
• Johnson speculated that the bill's phase-out of electric vehicle tax credits — which benefit Musk's car company, Tesla — could be a factor.

Yes, but: The handful of hardline fiscal conservatives in Congress who staunchly oppose the Republican bill were quick to endorse Musk's message.

• Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) quote-tweeted Musk's post, writing: "He's right."
• "I agree with Elon. We have both seen the massive waste in government spending and we know another $5 trillion in debt is a huge mistake," Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said in a post on X.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) is demanding documents and other information from Attorney General Pam Bondi about the Justice Department's decision to charge Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The investigation marks a new chapter in Democrats' growing conflict with the Trump administration over its efforts to prosecute officials from other branches of government.

• Raskin, the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, could run into considerable roadblocks in his probe as he cannot issue subpoenas.
• His outreach to Bondi signals a potential full-blown investigation should House Democrats return to power in 2026, however.

Driving the news: In a letter to Bondi first obtained by Axios, Raskin argued the charges are "in violation of long-standing ... policies designed to prevent exactly this type of politically motivated abuse of prosecutorial power."

• He pointed to reporting that the DOJ did not consult the Public Integrity Section before filing the charges — a departure from rules around the prosecution of members of Congress and congressional staffers.
• Raskin noted that the acting U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba, previously served as Trump's personal lawyer, writing that she has abandoned "any pretense of legal independence or official neutrality."
• The DOJ and the U.S. attorney's office in New Jersey did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

What's next: Raskin's letter includes a list of eight questions for Bondi that he wants answered by June 10.

• The questions center around how the decision was made to prosecute McIver — as well as to bring and then drop charges against Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
• Raskin is also requesting documents and communications related to the two prosecutions, including any legal analyses or records of discussions between the DOJ and the White House.

State of play: The Justice Department charged McIver last month with assaulting, impeding and interfering with law enforcement based on video of her elbowing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

• The incident occurred during a chaotic scuffle as police were arresting Baraka for allegedly trespassing at Delany Hall, a migrant detention facility in Newark.
• The charges against Baraka were later dropped, but McIver was charged soon after.
• McIver has alleged she was the one who was assaulted and accused the DOJ of trying to intimidate lawmakers into stopping unannounced visits to ICE facilities.

What they're saying: Raskin's letter comes as part of what House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) described as "collective action" in defense of McIver.

• "You can expect some activity and action on that front, to be led by Jamie Raskin," he told reporters at a press conference earlier Tuesday afternoon.
• Jeffries also said that House Democrats would lend McIver financial support and legal resources in her battle with the DOJ.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) on Tuesday became the latest Democrat to enter the increasingly crowded race to become ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.

Why it matters: The 44-year-old's entry adds fuel to an already heated inter-generational battle over who should lead Democrats on key committees.

• Interim ranking member Stephen Lynch (D-Va.), 70, is running, as are Reps. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), 47, and Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), 76.
• The seat became vacant last month following the death of 75-year-old Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) from esophageal cancer.

Driving the news: In a "dear colleague" letter to fellow House Democrats, Crockett leaned into her profile as a high-profile brawler adept at garnering media attention.

• "Every hearing, every investigation, every public moment must serve the dual purpose of accountability and must demonstrate why a House Democratic majority is essential for America's future," she wrote.
• "As Ranking Member, I will elevate each of our members and coordinate our efforts with leadership as we gear up to retake the House Majority."

Sen. John Fetterman's (D-Pa.) chief of staff will soon leave his office, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: It continues a string of staff departures following reports of internal concerns about Fetterman's mental health and job performance.

• Krysta Sinclair Juris' decision to leave her role as chief of staff was announced internally Tuesday, we are told.
• Cabelle St. John, Fetterman's deputy chief of staff, will take over for Juris, who succeeded Adam Jentleson as chief of staff last year.
• Jentleson publicly voiced his concerns about his former boss in a bombshell New York Magazine story last month.

The big picture: Fetterman on Monday defended his job performance, accusing the media of a "smear" campaign against him.

• "I'm here. I'm doing that job," Fetterman said at an event in Boston.
• He brushed aside concerns about his missed vote record, arguing he has skipped out on "throwaway procedural votes."

What he's saying: "Cabelle St. John has been a trusted advisor since day 1 in the office. I'm lucky to have her taking over as my Chief of Staff and I'm confident she'll do a great job," Fetterman said in a statement.

• He added, "I'm grateful for Krysta's work. She's been an invaluable member of the team for over two years and I wish her all the best."

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.

Elon Musk unloaded on President Trump's signature tax-and-spending bill Tuesday, declaring that he could no longer stay silent on what he called a "disgusting abomination."

• "Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it," Musk wrote on X.

Why it matters: Musk's scathing criticism of the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill," passed by the House last month, comes just days after the former head of DOGE departed the Trump administration.

• Musk — Trump's top political donor — said he would remain an informal adviser to the president even after his official work ended.
• The Tesla CEO has long viewed the national debt as an existential threat, but he had only expressed mild criticism — until now — about Trump's deficit-ballooning bill.

What they're saying: "I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination," Musk tweeted.

• "It will massively increase the already gigantic budget deficit to $2.5 trillion (!!!) and burden America[n] citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt," he added.
• "Congress is making America bankrupt."
• Musk added in another X post later Tuesday, "In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people."

The big picture: The Congressional Budget Office and independent analysts have projected that Trump's bill — which extends his 2017 tax cuts — would add between $2.3 trillion and $5 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years.

• The bill also contains new spending for border security and the military, which Republicans have sought to offset with cuts to Medicaid, food stamps and green-energy tax credits.
• White House officials have vigorously disputed claims that the bill would add to the deficit, arguing that the projections do not account for the high levels of economic growth that tax cuts could unleash.

The other side: "Look, the president already knows where Elon Musk stood on this bill," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing Tuesday.

• "It doesn't change the president's opinion — this is one, big beautiful bill, and he is sticking to it."

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called Musk's comments "very disappointing."

• "With all due respect, my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the One, Big Beautiful Bill," Johnson told reporters, speculating that Musk could be upset about the rollback of electric vehicle tax credits.
• Asked if he's concerned Musk's opposition could help tank the bill, Senate GOP Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said he hopes the billionaire will continue studying the legislation and "come to a different conclusion."

What to watch: The Senate is considering changes to the bill, with Thune sketching out an ambitious timetable for passing a compromise version of the legislation by July 4.

• Several hardline fiscal hawks — including Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) — have allied with Musk in their belief that the bill still needs major spending cuts.
• Trump has viciously attacked Paul and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) for expressing similar views as Musk, but he has yet to publicly comment on his adviser's outspoken criticism.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more comment from Elon Musk.

Roughly 1,000 people have already left the nation's top cybersecurity agency during the second Trump administration, a former government official tells Axios — cutting the agency's total workforce by nearly a third.

Why it matters: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is also facing a potential 17% budget cut under the president's proposed budget — raising fears that power grids, water utilities, and election systems could be left without a well-equipped federal partner as cyber threats mount.

The big picture: Trump officials are actively pursuing plans to increase offensive cyber operations against adversarial nations like China — and experts warn those nations are bound to respond in-kind to those strikes.

• But security experts fear that with a smaller cyber defense agency, the country won't have the resources needed to protect the homeland.

Driving the news: The White House suggested cutting CISA's workforce by 1,083 positions — from 3,732 employees to 2,649 roles — during the 2026 fiscal year in its proposed budget, released Friday.

• However, the agency has already reached those numbers, sources tell Axios.

Zoom in: About 600 people at CISA took the Department of Homeland Security's second buyout offer in the last two months, according to a source familiar with the matter. Their last day was Friday.

• Roughly 174 people had taken the first round of deferred-resignation offers as of March 28, according to a second source familiar with the matter.
• The rest of the roughly 1,000 departures likely involved people working on government contracts or teams — like the election integrity unit or diversity-and-inclusion offices — that have reportedly been cut, the former official told Axios.

Between the lines: Sources did not have precise details on which departments have been slashed, but public social media posts and other reporting suggest the losses are widespread — including in several of CISA's most visible and impactful initiatives.

• An internal memo sent to employees last week says that virtually all of CISA's senior officials have now left.
• Lauren Zabierek and Bob Lord, two officials who oversaw the agency's touchstone "Secure by Design" initiative, left last month.
• Matt Hartman, the No. 2 official in CISA's cybersecurity division, departed last week.
• Members of CISA's international partnerships and engagement division also left, according to LinkedIn.
• Lisa Einstein, who was CISA's chief AI officer, resigned in February.
• Boyden Rohner, assistant director of CISA's integrated operations division, took an early retirement offer in April.

What they're saying: "I've personally seen how CISA has lost its very best," Jack Cable, CEO and co-founder of Corridor and a former CISA employee who departed in January, told lawmakers during a field hearing in Silicon Valley last week.

• "In the face of increasing threats, we can't undermine the capacity of America's cyber defense agency and its ability to attract and retain the best technical talent," he added. "This only makes us less secure as a nation."

In a statement to Axios, CISA executive director Bridget Bean said the agency has "the right team in place to fulfill that mission and ensure that we are prepared for a range of cyber threats from our adversaries."

• "CISA is doubling down and fulfilling its statutory mission to secure the nation's critical infrastructure and strengthen our collective cyber defense," Bean said.

The intrigue: The agency has considered scrapping plans for mass layoffs due to the overwhelming response to the buyouts, the former official noted.

• Politico Pro previously reported on this possibility.

What to watch: Sean Plankey, Trump's pick to run CISA, will testify before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Thursday and is expected to field questions about the workforce cuts.

• CISA has already started to appoint new officials to senior roles: Madhu Gottumukkala, former CIO at South Dakota's Bureau of Information and Technology, is now the agency's deputy director. Kate DiEmidio, who most recently was the vice president of government affairs at Dragos, just came on board as CISA's legislative affairs chief.

Go deeper: Government contractors are lining up to work with DOGE

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are pressing their Republican counterparts for a hearing with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem after an aide to Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) was handcuffed by a DHS officer.

Why it matters: Nadler and Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) are arguing that the staffer's detention was not an isolated event.

• "Sadly, this incident is part of a broader pattern by President Donald J. Trump and DHS of using unlawful, chaotic, and reckless tactics," they wrote in a letter to Judiciary chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).
• "We therefore urge you to bring the Secretary of the DHS, Kristi Noem, before our Committee immediately to answer our questions about her agency's irresponsible and dangerous actions."

What happened: DHS officers handcuffed one of Nadler's aides at his district office in New York City last Wednesday and accused his staff of "harboring rioters."

• A DHS spokesperson said the officers were there to "ensure the safety and wellbeing of those present" and that the staffer "became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office."
• Nadler said in a CNN interview on Monday that DHS was "upset that some of my staff members were watching them grab immigrants emerging from an immigration court in the same building" and "invited some of the observers up to my office."
• The staffer was ultimately released, and no charges were filed.

Zoom out: To Democrats, the incident is part of a clear string of the Trump administration using force against other branches of government to carry out their deportation efforts.

• Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was indicted for allegedly helping an undocumented defendant avoid arrest.
• Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) is also being prosecuted for assault on a police officer over a scuffle with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers outside an ICE facility in Newark last month.
• Both officials have denied wrongdoing and argued the Trump administration is attempting to intimidate those who stand in the way of his immigration policies.

Yes, but: Jordan is a hardline conservative and one of Trump's most steadfast allies in Congress. He has spoken highly of the administration's efforts to round up undocumented immigrants en masse.

• He and other Republicans are investigating the mayor of Nashville for signing an executive order requiring local agencies to report communications with ICE officials in an effort to track ICE's actions.
• A spokesperson for Jordan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

If we get stagflation this year — stagnant growth and elevated inflation — it may be short-lived. That's because the "stag" will eventually overpower the "flation."

The big picture: If the trade war causes economic activity to slow down and unemployment rises, that slump could be enough to prevent a second-round inflation surge, after the initial tariff hit works its way through prices.

• Import taxes may prompt companies to raise their prices to adjust.
• But in an environment of sluggish growth, workers won't be in a position to demand outsize raises, and companies will be unable to hike prices as much as they might like.

Driving the news: New forecasts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development show economic growth buckling under the weight of President Trump's trade war, alongside a temporary surge in inflation.

• The Paris-based group's forecasts are based on tariff policies from mid-May, including the reduction in tariff rates from the U.S.-China trade truce. Notably, the OECD also based its forecast on the expectation that the 2017 tax cuts will be extended.
• The group sees the global economy's fate as directly tied to Trump's tariff policies: If tensions ramp up, outcomes will be worse. If trade tensions dissipate, so do their gloomy projections.

By the numbers: The worst of the economic pain is concentrated in North America, especially in the U.S.

• The OECD expects U.S. growth to slow to 1.6% this year, a significant fall from last year's 2.8% growth rate. The economy is expected to continue to slow in 2026.

What they're saying: "Annual headline inflation is set to pick up to 3.9% by end‑2025 due to higher import prices but is expected to ease throughout 2026, aided by moderate GDP growth and higher unemployment," the OECD wrote in the report.

• "For most countries, inflation will stay a bit higher for longer ... even though we do think that by the end of '26, they'll be closer to their targets," OECD chief economist Álvaro Santos Pereira told reporters Tuesday morning.

State of play: Goldman Sachs economists this week laid out their case for why inflation pressures likely won't linger.

• "The main reason is that we expect the economy to be weak this year, with GDP growing just 1%," they wrote. "We are skeptical about the prospects for prolonged high inflation amidst mediocre economic performance."
• "But if—contrary to our expectations—country-specific tariffs rise back to prohibitive rates or tariff escalation continues into 2026, we would worry more about high inflation persisting for longer."

The intrigue: Most Fed officials so far have been hesitant to take a position on how tariffs will impact the economy. Fed governor Christopher Waller is the exception, with a recent speech underscoring his expectations that tariffs will cause a one-time inflationary bump.

• "[W]hatever the size of the tariffs, I expect the effects on inflation to be temporary, and most apparent in the second half of 2025," Waller said in a speech Sunday in South Korea.

Yes, but: Waller is more optimistic and believes that economic demand will persist in the face of tariff-related price boosts, with limited pass-through to consumers.

• Putting tariff effects aside, he expects underlying inflation to continue to approach 2% and that the labor market will remain solid.
• "I know that hearing 'transitory' will certainly remind many people of the consensus on the FOMC in 2021 that the pandemic increases to inflation would be transitory," Waller said, referring to the Fed's rate-setting committee.
• "Am I playing with fire by taking this position again? It sure looks like it."

Republicans see a U.S. in bloom.

• Democrats see one shadowed in gloom.

The big picture: Polling shows deep divides in public sentiment driven by partisanship in a starkly polarized Trump 2.0 era.

By the numbers: Overall, 38% of Americans are satisfied with the way things are going in the country, according to a May 1-18 Gallup poll. That number, which sat at just 20% in January, has climbed — thanks to a massive surge in Republican satisfaction.

• 79% of Republicans say they're satisfied, near the record high for the party. In January, that number was just 10%.

The outlook for Dems is bleak, with just 4% satisfaction.

Zoom in: On the economy, partisan outlooks have changed far more dramatically than the macroeconomic indicators.

• In September 2024 — ahead of President Trump's November victory — just 13% of Republicans felt fairly or very good about the condition of the country's economy, compared to 67% of Democrats, according to a CBS News poll. Of Republicans, 86% rated the economy as very or fairly bad.
• Fast-forward to last week, and the tables have turned: 64% of Republicans rated the national economy as very or fairly good, while just 22% of Democrats agreed. Seventy-four percent of Dems say the economy is bad, compared to 30% of Republicans.
• Trump's economic blame game (the good parts belong to him, the bad parts are former President Biden's) is one undercurrent for those numbers as Republicans swing toward the positive and Democrats settle in the negative.

The Economist-YouGov polling of U.S. adults between May 30 and June 2 showed that 57% of Republicans believe the economy is getting better, compared to just 8% of Democrats.

• Among those who voted for Trump in 2024, 61% think the economy is on the rise. Only 6% of Harris voters agree.

Reality check: Inflation has continued to cool, and the stock market has brushed itself off in the wake of Trump's "Liberation Day" shock. But the threat of an escalating trade war looms large over the global economy.

• The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on Tuesday slashed U.S. growth forecasts. However, projections hinge on an uncertain tariff landscape, Axios' Ben Berkowitz writes.
• Consumer sentiment fell near its lowest levels in May, per the University of Michigan's index, though Republican sentiment was far higher than it was for Democrats.
• The data suggests Republicans might actually spend more, given their confidence in America's economic trajectory, and Democrats less.

Zoom out: A Pew Research Center survey from March identified an area of harmony: Vast majorities of Republicans (92%) and Democrats (91%) agree that it's important for the U.S. to be respected around the world.

• But while more than 70% of Republicans and Republican leaners say the U.S. is currently respected, just 39% of Democrats and Democratic leaners agree — and most Dems now believe America's influence is diminishing.
• By contrast, 67% of Republicans and Republican leaners said U.S. influence was getting weaker last year. Now that's dropped to 37%.

The bottom line: Americans view the country through splintering realities brought on in part by stark divides in media consumption.

• So, while Republicans bask in the glow of Trump's promised "Golden Age," Dems see a far darker future.

Go deeper: Consumer confidence shows "pervasive pessimism"

A series of milestone events in coming days will determine the course of the trade war.

Why it matters: That in turn will decide the fate of not only the U.S. economy, but the world's.

This is what you need to know about the days ahead.

What are the major tariff deadlines?

What to watch: There are key legal and diplomatic deadlines in coming weeks.

• June 4: The U.S. expects best and final offers from trade partners, reports say.
• June 5: The plaintiffs in the case that led to tariffs being struck down by the Court of International Trade have to file their papers with a federal appellate court, explaining why they oppose a motion to stay the trade court's ruling.
• June 9: The government has to file a reply to those papers, after which time the appellate court could rule on issuing a stay or not.
• End of June: President Trump has flagged the end of this month as possible timing for new tariffs that would affect cell phone makers like Apple and Samsung.
• July 8: For most nations, this is the end of the 90-day pause on the sweeping global reciprocal tariffs that Trump imposed in early April, and then froze a week later.
• July 9: The end of that pause for the European Union.
• July 14: The EU will impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods "if negotiations are not satisfactory," the bloc's top official said.
• August 12: The end of a 90-day pause on retaliatory tariffs against China.
• August 31: The end of an extension on long-standing exclusions for certain products from China tariffs.

What tariffs are in place now?

Zoom out: For now, all of the tariffs Trump previously imposed are still in effect, including a 10% global baseline tariff and additional levies on certain countries and sectors.

• The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit temporarily stayed the Court of International Trade's ruling throwing out the tariffs Trump imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA.
• That ruling did not affect tariffs previously imposed on sectors like steel and aluminum, which were implemented under a different authority.

Can Trump impose tariffs in other ways?

Zoom in: If the trade court's ruling striking down the IEEPA tariffs ends up standing, the administration has a variety of other levers it can pull to impose tariffs, though some are more time-consuming than what Trump has done thus far.

• Section 232 tariffs are sectoral levies imposed in the interests of national security; they require studies first to determine impacts.
• Section 301 tariffs are designed to respond to the unfair practices of foreign governments that put burdens on U.S. commerce. These also require an assessment process.
• Section 338 tariffs date to 1930s-era trade law and give the president wide latitude to impose levies on other countries, with fewer restrictions or preliminary requirements.

What they're saying: "We're very, very confident that Plan A is all we're ever going to need," National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett told ABC last weekend, referring to the IEEPA tariffs.

• But failing that, he said administration officials have been working on alternatives since 2017.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the expected date of best and final trade offers to June 4 (not June 3).

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development slashed its U.S. growth forecasts Tuesday and took global expectations down as well, citing the pervasive impacts of tariffs.

Why it matters: If the group's last outlook three months ago was cautious, then Tuesday's forecast was downright gloomy.

What they're saying: "Substantial increases in trade barriers, tighter financial conditions, weakened business and consumer confidence, and elevated policy uncertainty all pose significant risks to growth," the OECD's report said.

• "If these trends continue, they could substantially dampen economic prospects."

By the numbers: The group lowered its global GDP growth forecast to 2.9% for 2025 from the 3.1% it projected in March, and to 2.9% from 3% for 2026.

• For the U.S., it now forecasts growth of 1.6% this year and 1.5% next year, from 2.2% and 1.6% previously.

Between the lines: Among other risks, the group also flagged a heightened risk of persistent inflation.

• OECD-wide inflation for the group's 38 member countries is now expected to be 4.2% this year, a half-point higher than the outlook just six months ago.

Yes, but: The forecast hinges on perhaps the most uncertain question in global politics today — whether tariffs stick around, and at their current rates.

• "[A]n early reversal of recent trade barriers could boost economic growth and help ease inflationary pressures," the report notes.

Of note: Despite the dour overall mood, the new OECD report still projects every member country's economy growing at least slightly this year, except for Austria — and all, including Austria, growing in 2026.

Older Americans are increasing their use of marijuana to a point where some geriatricians are warning about weed's attendant health risks.

The big picture: U.S. marijuana use among those 65 and older surged nearly 46% from 2021 to 2023, according to new research in JAMA Internal Medicine.

• The rapid adoption of state marijuana laws and commercialization of cannabis helped drive much of the increase. But there also are changing social dynamics that make marijuana more acceptable for dealing with chronic pain, stress and other conditions.

What they found: 7% of adults 65 and older said they'd used cannabis in the past month in 2023, per data from the federally administered National Survey on Drug Use and Health analyzed by researchers at University of California San Diego and NYU.

• That's an increase from 4.8% in 2021, and 5.2% in 2022.
• The increase was more pronounced among women, though the percentage of senior men using the substance was still higher than women in 2023.
• The most pronounced increase was among older adults with annual incomes over $75,000, who went from having the lowest use among income categories in 2021 (4.2%) to the highest in 2023 (9.1%).

The fine print: The data doesn't distinguish between recreational and medical cannabis use, though increased prevalence was associated with several health conditions including hypertension, diabetes and COPD.

• Changes to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2020 prevent direct year-to-year comparisons of the analysis published Monday to earlier periods, the study's authors wrote.

Zoom out: Geriatricians say more research and better patient and clinician education on marijuana use is needed to identify risks, like the way it can interfere with other drugs.

• It can also impair the senses and cause accidents, an especially important consideration since U.S. cannabis has much more THC than it did decades ago.

The findings show that better evidence is needed on the risks and benefits of marijuana use in older adults, three geriatricians wrote in an editor's note published in JAMA alongside the study.

• "As a geriatrician, I see more and more people interested in using cannabis for treating chronic health symptoms. But cannabis can complicate the management of chronic diseases and be potentially harmful if patients are not educated on its use and potential risks," said Benjamin Han, geriatrician and associate professor at the University of California San Diego.

"You don't have the cards," President Trump dismissively told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during their Oval Office blow-up in February.

• Three months later, Zelensky played a hand no one saw coming.

Why it matters: Ukraine's audacious drone operation, which destroyed nuclear-capable bombers deep inside Russian territory, delivered a strategic gut punch to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• Ukraine is calling it "Operation Spiderweb." Pro-Kremlin bloggers are calling it "Russia's Pearl Harbor." Military experts are calling it a new nightmare for national defense.
• All can agree: Ukraine's ingenious use of low-cost drones has vast implications not only for the future of this war — but for the future of all war.

Zoom in: Zelensky said the attack involved "one year, six months, and nine days from the start of planning to effective execution." Ukrainian intelligence operatives prepared inside Russia for months undetected, he added.

• The targets were five Russian bases thousands of miles from Ukraine and from one another. Unknown to the Russian forces manning those bases, Ukraine managed to position dozens of drones nearby.
• Ukraine's security service, the SBU, said the drones were smuggled under cabin roofs and loaded onto trucks. At the "right moment, the cabins' roofs were opened remotely, and the drones took off to strike their targets — the Russian bombers."
• The SBU claimed 41 aircraft were hit, causing an estimated $7 billion in damage — using drones that likely cost a few thousand dollars each. Some of the Russian aircraft are so old that they are literally irreplaceable.

Between the lines: Trump, who was not notified in advance, has yet to comment publicly on the operation. But as MAGA influencers spread fears of "World War III," pro-Ukrainian commentators argue Kyiv was left with few options.

• The U.S. and European allies have hesitated to supply Ukraine with additional air defenses to counter Russia's weekly bombardments, citing their own dwindling stockpiles.
• Russia rejected Ukraine's offer for a 30-day ceasefire. Trump railed against Putin for his obstinacy, but has so far declined to impose any new sanctions against Moscow.
• The calculus from Kyiv, therefore, was simple: If the world won't help Ukraine intercept Russian bombers in the sky, Ukraine must destroy them on the ground.

The big picture: The Trump administration is growing impatient to move its strategic focus off Ukraine and onto other urgent priorities, particularly in the Pacific.

• Just this weekend, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned at a Singapore security conference that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be "imminent."
• But Ukraine's battlefield creativity continues to deliver real-time lessons and intelligence on what modern war — especially asymmetric war — now looks like.

For national security experts, Operation Spiderweb has raised new alarms about the threat of commercial infrastructure — say, Chinese container ships docked in the U.S. — being repurposed for covert attacks.

• "It is possible [China] is developing a launcher that can fit inside a standard commercial shipping container for covert employment of [missiles] aboard merchant ships," the Pentagon warned in its annual report on Chinese military power last year.
• Ukraine's ability to project its military power across Russia — with coordinated detonations thousands of miles apart — revealed how easily the illusion of domestic security can be shattered.

The bottom line: The Ukrainians are executing, in real time, what Pentagon war planners have only modeled on paper.

• "This is exactly what an asymmetric war looks like. This is exactly what the wars of the future will look like," Ukrainian presidential adviser Iryna Vereshchuk wrote on Telegram.