Beltway Insider: US, Iran Inch Toward Peace, Ukraine War, Obama Library Opens, Antifa, Luigi Mangione, Gilgo Beach Killer

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Category: Beltway Insider

Published on Saturday, 20 June 2026 16:43

Written by Janet Walker

President Trump attended the G7 Summit this week, and after heralding the administrations effort in securing an Iranian peace deal, explained to the global leaders that if Iran does not behave he would launch a massive attack.

The President's job approval rating, according to The New York Times for the period ending June 20, 2026, of those polled who approve of his effectiveness as President remained consistent at 38% and those who disapprove of his effectiveness as president has decreased by 1% to 58%. A slight 3% of the population polled have no opinion. Ratings are calculated weekly.

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Trump, Iran, On? Off?

President Trump who announced last week that a deal to end the war with Iran and reopen the Hormuz Strait was completed, has once-again backtracked, after meeting with the G7 Summit leaders, and warned Iranian leaders of severe repercussions should they not reopen the Hormuz Strait.

Surprisingly, about 55 ships traveled through the Iranian controlled seaway, before Iranian military reinitiated a blockade. It is the first time since February 28, 2026, that any ships have used the waterway for travel.

The effort by President Trump to force the Iranians to sign a deal, represents a government under duress and chaos, Even as he ridiculed the deal made by former President Obama in 2015, and granted there were areas where a stronger stance should have been positioned, such as the "sunset clauses," and the entire process took nearly two years of negotiation with the regime.

Iran does not see itself in a position of weakness; the determined effort by the Trump Administration to force Iran to submit in agreements written without consideration that the government has been through this scenario before. They understand what there strengths and weaknesses. The government is also aware of the political division of American politics can they hold out to the November midterm elections to determine if the negotiating position strengthens or weakens?

As President Trump is prone to saber-rattling, the Iranian government may be willing to meet simply to gather information.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian released a photograph of a memorandum of understanding clearly signed by President Trump, which both parties agree to negotiate further to complete a broader peace deal. The negotiations which were to begin in Switzerland, had been called off, and may now be back on. Either way, the memorandum of understanding, which is simple and primary, as the only binding agreement between the two parties.

It remains unclear whether the Hormuz Strait is open, and the U.S. naval blockade, which was lifted earlier, has been reinstated. Although, "Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command, denied in a text message on Saturday that Iran had closed the waterway, saying, "The strait is open and the U.S. blockade against Iran has ceased." He wrote that traffic was "continuing to flow" and U.S. forces were monitoring the situation to ensure that continues," The New York Times reported.

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Ukraine Russia War

The Ukraine-Russian war is escalating as Ukrainian forces twice this week struck targets within Moscow City, heavily damaging the oil refinery causing a massive smoke plume and fire and causing oil rain.

"The strikes on Moscow on Thursday left part of the city's biggest oil refinery in flames. An immense blast sent the top of a fuel storage vessel soaring into the air — and blew the roof off the idea that Russia could continue to shield Muscovites from the war," The New York Times reported.

If Zelensky continues to bring the war home to Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be forced to reconsider his aggressive war strategy as the unpopular war continues to weaken his support, and even as he is president for life, and known for his strongarm termination tactics of any voices of dissent, the continued loss of men, on both sides, erodes the national support.

Zelensky attended the G7 Summit this week, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, and continues to have the support of the European Union. As all of Europe understand Putin may seem fixated on Ukraine, but all of Europe is accessible to him, should he be victorious in his efforts.

Russian forces have yet to gain any significant ground, with the captured territories remaining those bordering the coastline, the eastern Ukraine region. The effort remain slow, as Zelensky continues to defend on the front lines, against any further advancements, and drive the war home to major urban centers, such as Moscow and St. Petersburg.

According to the Institute for the Study of War, "Repeated Ukrainian strikes against heavily defended Russian deep rear areas like Moscow City continue to expose Russia's weaknesses and inability to defend its domestic populace. ISW continues to assess that the increasing frequency, size, and depth of Ukraine's long-range strike campaign against heavily defended major Russian cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg demonstrate growing vulnerabilities in Russian air defenses and dilemmas in how the Kremlin chooses to interact with the domestic costs of the war it started.[. . .] Ukraine appears to be increasing its drone capabilities such that even relatively low numbers of drones reaching their targets are generating significant effects."

President Donald Trump, who met with Zelensky at the recent G7, and had earlier in his presidency attempted to negotiate a peace deal, has essentially removed himself from any cease fire efforts, as he explained Putin is determined to remain in war.

The Russian-Ukraine war which began in February 2014, as Russian troops violated the territorial sovereignty of neighboring Ukraine, rolling across the Crimean Peninsula, in an effort to retake the land that was at one-time part of the Soviet Union.

Ukraine has also reopened its bid for EU membership.

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Obama Library Complex Opens

A desperate nation longing for a show of unity and presidential dignity received a reminder of what presidential politics should be, with the opening of the Obama Presidential Center complex on the Southside of Chicago.

Joining former President Barack Obama, the three living Presidents including former President Joseph R. Biden, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, along with their spouses former First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, Laura Bush, and former Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton.

The opening, which served as more than a reflection of the presidency of President Obama, reflected on a time when the splintering, rhetoric of destruction did not prevail in politics, and highlighted that even though we have differences of opinions and political party agendas, we can present our differences with respect.

In introducing her husband, former First Lady Michelle Obama, eloquently explained, "As president, she told Mr. Obama, you rescued the economy, expanded health care and comforted Americans through tragedies. And in an implicit rebuke to President Trump, Mrs. Obama added that Mr. Obama did it all while enduring attacks on his birthplace and patriotism. "You did it all with such grace and class and cool that you made the hardest job in the world look like a walk in this beautiful park," she said, as Mr. Obama looked down and wiped away tears," The New York Times reported.

Invited guests included former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former Vice-President Kamala Harris and First Husband, Doug Emhoff, Representative Nancy Pelosi of California and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California, Obama's former Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel, New York Representative Hakeem Jefferies, as well as Chicago dignitaries. Other invited guests included Director Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, former late night talk show host, Stephen Colbert, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, LL Cool J, Oprah Winfrey, David Letterman, Jon Batiste, Gayle King, tennis legend Billie jean King. Former First Daughter's Malia, and Sasha also attended the ceremony. 

The $850 million Obama Presidential Center complex covers 19 acres, and includes a playground, a library, sledding hill, gardens and a performance space. Situated on Chicago's notorious south side, the complex is symbolic of hope, hope that light can change a dark place, that hope will be more powerful than guns, and that the 225 foot towering granite structure will be that light in the darkest of times.

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Coronavirus Total

At the order of the President of the United States, the U.S. no longer recognizes the value of The World Health Organization. The CDC has recommended every person from age six months, including senior citizens should receive at least one shot of an updated COVID-19 vaccine, annually.  The death toll from Covid-19 has dramatically decreased, as has transmission of the virus. Even as confirmed new cases continue each week, fewer are dying from each new variants.

For the 7 days ending June 20, 2026, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases reported by the World Health Organization increased by 3.647 to 779,231,447. The total worldwide death toll did not increase over the past seven days increased by 125 to 7,115,339 deaths. The United States has stopped providing Covid data to the World Health Organization. (Data updated May 31, 2026, from the World Health Organization).

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DOJ Indicts 15 Minnesotans Claiming Ties to Terror Organization

The Department of Justice has charged 15 Minneapolis citizens with ties to Antifa, a underground network of far-left conspirators, alleging they organized efforts to undermine the Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations through a vast network of tactics including warning neighbors, and utilizing sound coding system to alert citizens of ICE presence.

"Fifteen members of Minneapolis groups, which prosecutors said are composed of far-left antifa activists, were charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, according to a federal indictment unsealed Tuesday. Five of the 15 faced additional charges, including solicitation to commit a crime of violence, interstate threats, interstate stalking, assault on a federal officer and destruction of government property," The Washington Post reported.

Antifa, which means anti-fascist, is considered a radical illegal organization dedicated to the overthrow of the United States government. The charges brought against these individuals also are meant to tarnish the reputations of Renee Goode, 37, a veteran, poet and mother of three, who was shot at point blank range in her vehicle attempting to maneuver away from ICE agents, and Alex Pretti, 37, an ICU nurse, who was slaughtered by ICE agents as he lie in a fetal position on the ground, surrounded by agents.

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Insurance Exec Killer Uses Heat of Passion Defense

Luigi Mangione, the accused murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, whom he stalked and killed in the early morning hours, in December 2024, stepping out from between two parked cars in Midtown Manhattan and firing upon Thompson at point blank range.

Mangione, 28, who set off a multi-state manhunt in December 2024, was captured in an Altoona, Pennsylvania, McDonalds. The ivy-league educated Mangione, has expressed his extreme frustration with the rising cost of healthcare, and a debilitating back injury, which caused him acute pain.

"Mangione's lawyers plan to argue that he was experiencing "extreme emotional disturbance" when he killed a UnitedHealthcare executive in Midtown Manhattan in 2024, a state judge said on Wednesday," The New York Times reported.

Withdrawing the insanity defense, and instead using the extreme emotional disturbance, which is essentially an admission of guilt, Mangione, if convicted, could only be convicted of manslaughter, a lesser offense, which still carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

After many delays, and hearings on the admission of evidence, and other aspects of the case, Mangione's trial is scheduled to begin in September.

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Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Sentenced

Rex Heuermann, 62, the serial killer behind the Gilgo Beach murders, who pleaded guilty to the murder of eight women, whom he has solicited as escorts, was sentenced this week to three consecutive life sentences.

Heuermann, who eluded detectives for years, due to upheaval within the Suffolk County Police Department, the professions of the victims, and the badly decomposed remains which were found scattered along a lonely stretch of beach and other parts several miles inland.

Heuermann, formerly a prominent Manhattan architect, lived in a dilapidated home in Massapequa Park, surrounded by upscale well-kept homes with manicured lawns. For decades, the portly commuter was able to hide his double life.

"Heuermann emerged as a prime suspect in March 2022 when a multi-agency task force reviewed case files and investigators linked a tip about a green Chevrolet Avalanche to Heuermann's vehicle registration in Massapequa Park. Cell tower data and American Express billing records then connected his personal movements and phone to the burner phones used to contact the victims," USA Today.com reported.

After he agreed to a plea deal in April, Heuermann knew his fate. Now, federal investigators will begin to interview him hoping to close dozens of other cases, believed to have distinctive similarities, none of which he can be charged with committing.

At the sentencing, relatives of Heuermann's victims spoke for over an hour addressing the court, addressing Heuermann, and taking the time to remember the life of those murdered at Heuermann hands. After, State Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei read each count and delivered his sentenced: life without the possibility of parole.

For more information on President Donald Trump: Whitehouse.gov.

Sources: Various © Articles covered by Copyright protection.

Janet Walker is the publisher, founder, and sole owner of Haute-Lifestyle.com. A graduate of New York University, she has been covering international news through the Beltway Insider, a weekly review of the nation's top stories, for more than a decade.  A general beat writer/reporter and entertainment/film critic, she is also an accomplished news/investigative news/crime reporter and submitted for Pulitzer Prize consideration "Cops Conspire to Deep Six Sex Assaults" in the Breaking News Category and was persuaded to withdraw the submission. Ms. Walker has completed five award-winning screenplays "The Six Sides of Truth," "The Assassins of Fifth Avenue," "The Wednesday Killer," "The Manhattan Project," and the sci-fi thriller "Project 13: The Last Day." She has also published "Unholy Alliances: A True Crime Story," a non-fiction narrative, "Days, Times, Seasons, and Events: A Collection of Poetry & Prose," and "Songs of Freedom: A Collection of Biblical Teachings," which can be purchased here. She is a member of the Authors Guild, the Los Angeles Press Club, the National Writers Union, and a member of the International Federation of Journalists.