On July 29, 2026, Dr. Anthony Fauci testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, chaired by Republican Senator Rand Paul. This hearing focused on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic and included discussions about Fauci's past actions and statements regarding the virus.

Fauci, who served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been a prominent figure in the U.S. government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Rand Paul has long accused Fauci of misleading Congress about the origins of the virus and the funding of research in China, particularly at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

During the hearing, Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right, refusing to answer questions. He cited concerns about the nature of the inquiry and the potential for his statements to be used against him. Fauci stated, "The only conclusion I can reach is that the sole reason he is calling me before this committee is to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, 'behind bars.'"

On July 28, 2026, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed groups in Iraq. This action followed a series of missile attacks by Iran on U.S. forces stationed in the region.

The airstrikes were executed after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly launched multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. military installations in Jordan, which were intercepted by U.S. defenses. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that these missile attacks marked a resumption of hostilities after a brief pause in fighting.

The U.S. and Saudi airstrikes targeted logistics and weapons sites associated with Iran-aligned militias in eastern Iraq. The Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), an Iraqi paramilitary group, reported that at least 20 of its members were killed and 32 others wounded in the strikes. CENTCOM indicated that the strikes were in response to over 30 drone attacks directed at U.S. and Saudi assets in the preceding days.

On July 29, 2026, President Donald Trump delivered a eulogy for Senator Lindsey Graham at the Washington National Cathedral, following Graham's death on July 11 due to an aortic dissection. The service was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Lindsey Graham, a four-term Republican senator from South Carolina, was known for his hawkish foreign policy stance and his long-standing friendship with Trump. He had just returned from a trip to Ukraine before his death, which was attributed to heart disease.

The funeral service included tributes from various political figures, highlighting Graham's career and personal anecdotes. Trump referred to Graham as a "true American original" and emphasized his dedication to American strength and foreign policy. The service was part of a two-day memorial that included a ceremony at the Capitol.

On July 28, 2026, President Donald Trump held separate meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House. These meetings took place during the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Iran, and were described by the White House as positive and productive.

The meetings were significant as they marked the first face-to-face discussions between Trump and Netanyahu since the U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, 2026. Both leaders have faced challenges in their respective countries, with Netanyahu's government experiencing declining support for its military actions and Trump navigating a complex political landscape ahead of the upcoming elections.

During the meetings, Zelensky expressed hopes for U.S. support in bolstering Ukraine's air defenses, specifically discussing the production of Patriot missiles. Trump indicated that he would allow Ukraine to produce these missiles under a U.S. license. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's discussions with Trump focused on Iran, with both leaders emphasizing their shared goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

On July 28, 2026, the U.S. Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in a contentious party-line vote of 51-47. Clayton, previously the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, replaces Bill Pulte, who served temporarily amid significant Democratic opposition.

Clayton's nomination followed the resignation of former DNI Tulsi Gabbard and was intended to stabilize the leadership of the intelligence community. His confirmation was expedited by Republicans who sought to address the lapsed Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a key surveillance tool that had expired in June 2026 due to partisan disagreements.

During his confirmation hearing on July 15, Clayton faced scrutiny from Senate Democrats, particularly regarding his refusal to directly state that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election. This performance led to a shift in Democratic support, with many expressing concerns about his ability to resist political pressure. Despite these reservations, Clayton was confirmed, but the future of FISA reauthorization remains uncertain as partisan divisions persist.