Briefing on Iran strikes divides senators as Trump pours fuel on tensions | First Thing

A partisan split was revealed as the president claimed the Democrats leaked a draft Pentagon report on the strikes' impact. Plus, an exclusive interview with Kneecap on Palestine, protest and provocation

Good morning.

A delayed, behind-closed-doors intelligence briefing on the US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities has divided senators down party lines, while Donald Trump ignited a fresh debate by claiming the Democrats had leaked a Pentagon assessment that found last weekend's strikes had limited success.

What did the defense secretary say? Pete Hegseth maintained that the strikes, which Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has sought to downplay, had decimated Tehran's nuclear program - an assessment largely based on AI modeling.

Democrats have labeled the bill the big, ugly betrayal". Why are they so opposed? Because it would slash Medicaid by the largest amount since its creation and cost an estimated 16 million people their insurance. The bill also cuts funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap), which helps low-income Americans buy food.