Balance of Power

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.US President Donald Trump said that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, a move that would ease broader tensions between Washington and Tehran.There was no immediate confirmation from Israel or Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group that the Jewish state has been waging war against in Lebanon, of an agreement to halt hostilities.Trump, posting on Truth Social on Thursday, said he had held “excellent conversations” with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE” at 5 p.m. Washington time, he said.Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe and Kailey speak with: Republican Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina. Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Bellwether Government Affairs CEO Arshi Siddiqui and Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Partner Rosemary Becchi. Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.The US and Iran are considering extending their ceasefire that ends on Tuesday by another two weeks to allow more time to negotiate a peace agreement, according to a person familiar with the matter.Mediators between the warring sides are trying to set up technical talks to resolve the most contentious issues, said the person, who asked not to be named discussing sensitive matters. Those include reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear enrichment, they said.Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe and Kailey speak with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. Bloomberg Television Markets Correspondent Norah Mulinda. Arbroath Group Managing Partner Christopher Smart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.The US and Iran are looking to arrange a second round of peace talks in the coming days, with Tehran mulling a pause in shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to help ease the path toward an agreement on time and place. The objective is to hold more discussions before an April 7 ceasefire expires next week, according to people familiar with the matter. One proposal is to return to Pakistan, where initial negotiations were held last weekend, though other venues are being considered, the people said.US President Donald Trump said talks could resume “over the next two days” in Pakistan, the New York Post reported. That would build on a marathon yet inconclusive session in Islamabad on Saturday night.  Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe and Kailey speak with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Bloomberg Television Markets Correspondent Norah Mulinda. European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity Valdis Dombrovskis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A review of Congressional plans for 2026 -- including funding the Department of Homeland Security, anticipated war powers resolutions tied to the Iranian conflict and defense spending outlooks -- led Bloomberg Intelligence's April 13 version of the Washington Policy Pulse. A reconciliation bill focused on specific funds for the DHS doesn't have much market impact, in our view, but debates over crypto, housing, and farming will continue throughout 2026. We also provided an update on Kevin Warsh's nomination hearing at the Senate Banking Committee and why a recent delay shouldn't be much of a concern. The Bloomberg Intelligence Financial Policy weekly call is designed to provide investors an opportunity to learn about the most recent relevant policy research, information regarding forthcoming political catalysts and other on-goings within Washington DC. The call is open to all and is held every Monday at 10:00 a.m. EST. You can register for the call here: https://bloomberg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__PqCkwY-S2m3hbQqvVC1_Q#/registrationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.President Donald Trump said Iran reached out to his administration over peace negotiations, as the US began a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in the war’s seventh week.Even as Trump sought to jawbone negotiations back on track, there were few signs that was taking place after weekend negotiations failed in Islamabad. Iran blamed the collapse of talks on the US and Tehran has not confirmed further discussions on Monday.“We’ve been called this morning by the right people, the appropriate people, and they want to work a deal,” Trump said at the White House, without elaborating on who participated in the conversation. Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe and Kailey speak with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. American Enterprise Institute Nonresident Senior Fellow Heather Conley. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. CIBC Private Wealth Managing Director Rebecca Babin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.President Donald Trump sought to ratchet up pressure on Iran to cut a deal as the two sides prepared for direct talks in Pakistan to turn their fragile truce into a lasting peace.Trump posted on social media Friday that Tehran’s only leverage is “short term extortion of the world by using International Waterways” — a reference to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for oil and natural gas that remains largely shut — and declared that the “Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards.”While the two-week ceasefire was broadly holding across the Middle East, the continued closure of the strait and fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon threatened to complicate negotiations due to begin over the weekend in Islamabad.Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Kailey speaks with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis of New York. Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino and Friday Reporter Public Affairs Founder Lisa Camooso Miller. Former Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Bloomberg Europe Correspondent Oliver Crook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.The US and Iran prepared for peace talks in Pakistan with a fragile ceasefire largely holding, though issues such as Israel’s offensive in Lebanon and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved. US Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the American delegation in discussions scheduled for Islamabad on Saturday, while Iranian officials were due to arrive in the Pakistani capital on Thursday. Both sides appear to have paused strikes across the region after President Donald Trump’s announcement of a truce after nearly six weeks of fighting. The exception is in Lebanon, where Israel’s ongoing campaign against Tehran-aligned Hezbollah risks undermining the negotiations. Israel’s military on Thursday told residents in eight Beirut neighborhoods to leave ahead of strikes, after a major operation that killed more than 200 people the previous day. Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Kailey speaks with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Chatham House Associate Fellow Natasha Hall. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Maywood Strategies Founder Doug Farrar. Bloomberg News US Stocks Reporter Alexandra Semenova. Kpler Head of Policy and Geopolitical Risk Michelle Brouhard. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.The US and Iran said they are prepared to hold talks to end the war in the Middle East during a proposed two-week pause in hostilities, even as Israeli strikes on Lebanon threatened to derail the fragile truce. Further adding uncertainty, sporadic fighting continued throughout the region and the Strait of Hormuz remained largely blocked. President Donald Trump has said that reopening the strait was a condition for halting the fighting. Trump’s announced ceasefire Tuesday night was a retreat from threats to unleash massive devastation on Iran, easing fears of a protracted global energy crisis. Mediator Pakistan has floated negotiations later this week in Islamabad, and Trump said they could start very soon, according to the New York Post.  Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Kailey speaks with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Former US Central Command Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie (Ret.). Bloomberg News Senior Strategist Edward Harrison. Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Commodities Strategist Mike McGlone. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Rebelle Communications CEO Laura Fink. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that’s expected to halt the American-Israeli military campaign in exchange for Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.President Donald Trump announced the agreement Tuesday on social media hours after Pakistan, a mediator in talks, implored the US leader to back off his deadline to unleash massive devastation on Iran if it did not meet his demands. The deal buys time for the two sides to reach a longer agreement to end the six-week-old war, which has killed thousands of people and sparked a global energy crisis.Trump said he had agreed “to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks” as long as Iran agrees to “the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz.”For instant reaction and analysis, Bloomberg Radio host Doug Krizner speaks with:- Bloomberg State Department and Foreign Policy Reporter Eric Martin- Bloomberg This Weekend co-host Christina Ruffini-  Bloomberg White House and Washington correspondent Jeff Mason-Terry Haines, founder of Pangea Policy- Daniel Byman, Director of the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at the CenterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.President Donald Trump threatened Iran with civilizational destruction as the US attacked military targets on the country’s key oil export hub, ramping up pressure on Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his Tuesday deadline or face massive strikes on critical infrastructure.Iran halted participation in ceasefire talks in response to Trump’s social media post, according to a person familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations. Those discussions have been conducted through third-party channels. Mediators were scrambling to resuscitate negotiations ahead of the deadline, the person said.A senior White House official downplayed Iran’s maneuver and said that legitimate negotiations continue to take place.Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Kailey speaks with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Cohen Group Senior Advisor Jen Gavito. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Democratic Congressman Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A review of President Donald Trump's fiscal year 2027 budget request -- and the implications for the defense sector given the White House's $1.5 trillion ask for national security -- led Bloomberg Intelligence's April 6 version of the Washington Policy Pulse. While White House budget requests are never fully implemented by Congress, Trump's goal of $350 billion in additional funding for the Iranian conflict could come during another round of reconciliation. We also dove into the latest on efforts to re-open the Department of Homeland Security and previewed the funding fights for the rest of 2026.The Bloomberg Intelligence Financial Policy weekly call is designed to provide investors an opportunity to learn about the most recent relevant policy research, information regarding forthcoming political catalysts and other on-goings within Washington DC. The call is open to all and is held every Monday at 10:00 a.m. EST. You can register for the call here: https://bloomberg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__PqCkwY-S2m3hbQqvVC1_Q#/registrationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.US allies are reportedly pressing for a last-minute deal with Iran, as President Donald Trump extended his deadline to Tuesday for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, keeping markets on edge over whether a breakthrough can be reached.Axios reported that Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are pushing to secure a potential ceasefire — lasting about 45 days — to head off threatened US strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure and retaliation by the Islamic Republic against countries in the region.Fighting continued, with Israel, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates reporting Iranian attacks overnight into Monday. Israel struck Iran’s biggest petrochemical facility, which is responsible for 50% of the petrochemical production in the country, Defense Minister Israel Katz said.Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe speaks with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Bloomberg Intelligence Senior US Policy Analyst Nathan Dean. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.Attorney General Pam Bondi is leaving her post as head of the US Justice Department, ending a tumultuous tenure as the nation’s top law enforcement official after stumbles in her efforts to carry out President Donald Trump’s agenda.“We love Pam, and she will be transitioning to a much needed and important new job in the private sector, to be announced at a date in the near future, and our Deputy Attorney General, and a very talented and respected Legal Mind, Todd Blanche, will step in to serve as Acting Attorney General,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe speaks with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Third Way Executive Vice President Matt Bennett. Bloomberg White House and Washington Correspondent Jeff Mason. Constitutional Lawyer Robert McWhirter. Groundwork Collaborative Managing Director Liz Pancotti. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump said the war in Iran is “very close” to completion, even as he signaled strikes could escalate in the near term.  Trump in a rare prime-time address on Wednesday cast the war as a success, saying the operation had nearly achieved its military goals, including destroying Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, air force, navy and industrial base. He said those steps would prevent Tehran’s proxies from destabilizing the region and cut off the country’s path to nuclear weapons.“Tonight I’m pleased to say that these core strategic objectives are nearing completion,” Trump said from the White House in a roughly 20-minute speech. “We are going to finish the job. and we’re going to finish it very fast, we’re getting very close.”The speech came as the president is grasping for an off-ramp in a conflict that has quickly slipped out of control. For instant reaction and analysis, Bloomberg Radio host Doug Krizner speaks with Bloomberg This Weekend co-host Christina Ruffini and Bloomberg White House and Washington correspondent Jeff Mason.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.US President Donald Trump said he’ll only consider a halt to attacks on Iran when the Strait of Hormuz is reopened, sowing further confusion about how long he’s prepared to continue the war.    Iran’s “New Regime President” has asked the US for a ceasefire, Trump said in a social-media post on Wednesday, possibly referring to comments Masoud Pezeshkian made Tuesday that the Islamic Republic has “the necessary will” to end this war — with certain guarantees.“We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear,” Trump said. “Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion.”  Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe and Kailey speak with: Former Vice President Mike Pence. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Gulf Oil Chief Energy Advisor Tom Kloza. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.US President Donald Trump called on other nations to wrest control of the Strait of Hormuz as Iran maintained missile fire across the Persian Gulf, expressing his frustration that the monthlong war remains unresolved. Countries that can’t get energy supplies due to the effective closure of the vital waterway should “go to the Strait and just TAKE IT,” Trump said in a social-media post on Tuesday. “You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself” as the US “won’t be there to help you anymore,” he added, the latest sign he’s looking to exit a conflict that’s triggered a surge in oil and gas prices and stoked fears of a global economic crisis. “Go get your own oil!” he added.  Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe and Kailey speak with: Bloomberg Washington Correspondent Tyler Kendall. Former National Security Council Director for Syria and Lebanon Hagar Chemali. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Bloomberg Television Markets Correspondent Norah Mulinda. Bipartisan Policy Center Senior Vice President Bill Hoagland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An update of the Congressional outlook for the ongoing DHS shutdown -- as well as Congressional plans after their April recess -- led Bloomberg Intelligence's Washington Policy Pulse on March 30. We also discussed ongoing Senate plans for a crypto market structure bill plus what the outlook for Kevin Warsh's nomination at the Senate Banking Committee after reports suggest a nomination hearing can happen the week of April 13. We also discussed SEC rulemakings on quarterly reporting and the Labor Department's proposal on alternative assets for private equity funds. Finally, we previewed President Donald Trump's budget, expected on April 3.The Bloomberg Intelligence Financial Policy weekly call is designed to provide investors an opportunity to learn about the most recent relevant policy research, information regarding forthcoming political catalysts and other on-goings within Washington DC. The call is open to all and is held every Monday at 10:00 a.m. EST. You can register for the call here: https://bloomberg.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__PqCkwY-S2m3hbQqvVC1_Q#/registrationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.US President Donald Trump repeated threats to destroy Iranian energy assets if the Strait of Hormuz isn’t reopened soon, raising fears the war could escalate after more American troops arrived in the region.The US “is in serious discussions” with what he called a new regime in Iran to end military operations, Trump said in a social-media post on Monday. But if a deal isn’t reached and Hormuz reopened, “we will conclude our lovely “stay” in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!).”Trump has regularly vacillated between saying a deal with Iran is imminent and warning he’s prepared to up the military tempo, though in this case the threat to water facilities would constitute a war crime as defined by the Geneva Conventions. Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe speaks with: Bloomberg White House and Washington Correspondent Jeff Mason. Beacon Global Strategies Managing Director Michael Allen. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Bloomberg Markets Live Blog Managing Editor Kristine Aquino. Ipsos US Public Affairs Chair Cliff Young. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.The Trump administration is signaling to allies that it has no immediate plans for a ground invasion of Iran, even as it deploys thousands of troops to the Middle East, people familiar with the matter said.The people, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations, cautioned that President Donald Trump could change his mind at any moment or go ahead with an attack. They said the troops could serve a variety of roles, including to help with evacuations of American citizens but also to create a sense of strategic ambiguity about US intentions.Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday the US can achieve its objectives in Iran without the use of ground troops but their presence gives Trump options.Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe speaks with: Bloomberg White House Correspondent Courtney Subramanian. Former US Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder. Bloomberg Wall Street Week Host David Westin. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center Visiting Democracy Fellow Jeanne Sheehan Zaino. Bloomberg Congressional Correspondent Erik Wasson. Republican Congressman Troy Downing of Montana. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insight & analysis on the White House and Capitol Hill.Watch Joe and Kailey LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.US President Donald Trump sent conflicting signals on the prospect that talks with Iran would bring a halt to the nearly month-long war, further roiling global energy markets. “I say they’re lousy fighters, but they’re great negotiators, and they are begging to work out a deal,” Trump said Thursday during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that. I don’t know if we’re willing to do that,” he said, and separately threatened to intensify military action if talks failed.Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe speaks with: Bloomberg Europe Correspondent Oliver Crook. Republican Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina. Democratic Congresswoman Suzan DelBene of Washington, Chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Stonecourt Capital Partner Rick Davis and Rebelle Communications CEO Laura Fink. Former White House National Security Communications Advisor Rear Admiral John Kirby (Ret.). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.