10 Minute Drill

On the March 11 episode of the 10 Minute Drill, we break down the biggest political stories of the day — from the escalating military campaign against Iran to a disturbing terrorism plot in New York and major gun legislation moving in Virginia.

The Trump administration says operations against Iran are already ahead of schedule, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warning that the latest round of strikes would be the most intense day of bombing yet. At the same time, missile launches from Iran appear to be declining, oil prices have stabilized, and reports are circulating that Mojtaba Khamenei may be emerging as Iran’s next Supreme Leader as the regime scrambles to respond.

Meanwhile, terrorism fallout in New York continues after suspects allegedly inspired by ISIS were accused of plotting an attack authorities say could have rivaled the Boston Marathon bombing. Political reactions have been chaotic, with critics blasting New York leadership for attempting to spread blame rather than confront the threat directly.

In Virginia, four major gun control bills are heading to the governor’s desk. The legislation includes new restrictions on commonly owned firearms, limits on magazines over 10 rounds, and provisions allowing activists to sue gun manufacturers for crimes committed by criminals — all while lawmakers move to reduce mandatory minimum sentences and eliminate cash bail.

We also look at the two-year anniversary of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Maryland. Despite major promises and national political attention, not a single foot of the replacement bridge has been constructed, the budget has ballooned, and the projected reopening date has already slipped to 2030.

Plus, a growing controversy involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Reports show her nonprofit paid her roughly $300,000 a year, far above comparable organizations, while her documentaries were simultaneously promoted in state education guidelines and shown in public school classrooms.

And finally, Texas Democrat James Talarico continues making headlines with viral comments on Christianity, climate change, and gender politics.

All that and more in today’s 10 Minute Drill.

0:00 - Intro

0:40 - Latest from Iran

1:40 - Fallout from NYC terror attempt

3:12 - Virginia’s Gun Grabs

7:09 - Francis Scott Key Bridge 2 Year

8:30 - Jennifer Newsom’s Scandal

11:59 - Talarico’s Takes

Today on the 10 Minute Drill, we start by honoring six American service members during a dignified transfer ceremony.

Then we turn to the latest developments in the Iran conflict, where officials say Iran’s navy has been rendered largely combat ineffective and retaliatory ballistic missile attacks have dropped dramatically. We discuss what that means for the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices, and volatile financial markets, along with reactions from military veterans and national security leaders.

Next, we break down the fallout from the DHS shutdown, which is already triggering flight delays and security concerns at U.S. airports, even as bomb threats in Kansas City and Nashville highlight the risks of disrupting homeland security operations.

We also cover a potential terror attack in New York City, after the NYPD confirmed a device thrown in Manhattan was a real improvised explosive device capable of causing serious injury or death. Investigators are now examining whether the suspects were inspired by ISIS and looking into possible international connections.

On the political front, we examine the escalating fight over Virginia’s congressional redistricting, including accusations of extreme gerrymandering, controversial ballot language, and maps critics say dramatically reshape the state’s political landscape.

We also dive into chaos inside the Democratic Party, as donors and operatives question new DNC chair Ken Martin’s leadership and reporting suggests Kamala Harris may still be positioning herself for a 2028 presidential run.

Finally, we look at Gavin Newsom’s latest idea—a $19 million taxpayer-funded campaign promoting California to counter what his administration calls “misinformation,” raising questions about politics, priorities, and a potential presidential bid.

All that and more in today’s 10 Minute Drill.

Time Stamps: 

0:00 - Intro

0:32 - Trump honors 6 fallen heroes from Iran conflict 

0:51 - Iran update at 9 days 

3:23 - shutdown trouble gets real 

4:44 - media, Zohran downplay terror in NYC 

7:57 - Virginia gerrymander - Spanberger’s flip flop

9:01 - Virginia gerrymander - Fairfax County dominance

9:56 - Virginia gerrymander - Meet corrupt Dan Helmer 

10:56 - Virginia gerrymander - lying in a ballot question 

11:40 - Democrats in some trouble / return of Kamala

13:35 - Gavin Newsom’s Zoolander Problem

Primary night in Texas delivers a political upset, new reporting reveals how the Trump administration made the final decision to strike Iran, and Gavin Newsom hears something politicians almost never hear to their face: people don’t like you.

In the March 5 episode of the 10 Minute Drill, we break down the biggest stories shaping politics right now — from the collapse of Jasmine Crockett’s campaign in Texas to the Axios report detailing the call between President Trump and Israeli leadership that changed the trajectory of the conflict with Iran.

First, we recap Texas primary night, where James Talarico defeats Jasmine Crockett after a campaign that drew huge attention from the DC media but clearly failed to connect with voters. Crockett ran an ad featuring nothing but her face playing audio of Donald Trump calling her “stupid,” which cable news loved — but voters apparently did not. After the loss, Crockett suggested cheating, blamed Republicans, and posted a TikTok dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s “They Not Like Us.” In the end, voters agreed — Crockett is not like them, because she no longer has a job.

We also look ahead to the Texas Republican runoff between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, and what President Trump had to say about the race on Truth Social.

Next, we break down the Axios report describing the moment the Trump administration decided to strike Iran. According to the report, the White House was pursuing a dual-track strategy — exhausting diplomatic options while simultaneously preparing military plans. Officials had initially planned to build a longer public case for action, but when intelligence revealed the Ayatollah and Iran’s top leadership gathered together, the opportunity to take them out in a single strike proved too significant to pass up.

We also cover Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison facing scrutiny in Congress, including Walz dismissing whistleblowers as racist and Ellison being pressed over his role in advancing controversial programs now under investigation.

On energy policy, Louisiana lawmakers are pushing legislation to block activist lawsuits targeting oil and gas companies, arguing that left-wing legal campaigns are being used to punish the industry and drive up energy costs.

Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom gets a reality check when a voter bluntly tells him that people simply don’t like him — a moment that highlights the scrutiny he’s beginning to face as speculation about his national political ambitions grows.

And finally, we take a look at the viral clips turning Texas Democrat James Talarico into what critics are calling “far-left buzzword bingo,” including claims about six biological sexes, arguments that God is nonbinary, and even invoking the birth of Jesus while discussing abortion policy.

Time Stamps

0:00 - Intro

0:37 - Texas Primary Recap

4:00 - The Iran Decision

5:51 - Walz & Ellison Hearing

7:33 - Energy Lawsuits

9:17 - Gavin’s Disliked

10:23 - Far Left Buzzword Bingo

In the March 4 episode of the 10 Minute Drill, we break down the latest developments surrounding Iran, the collapse of diplomacy, and the growing political fallout both overseas and here at home.

Trump envoy Steve Witkoff reveals a stunning moment from negotiations with Iran, explaining that Iranian officials openly bragged about possessing enough highly enriched uranium to produce 11 nuclear weapons — a detail that underscores why diplomacy ultimately failed. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses the biggest question surrounding the operation: did Israel force America’s hand? Rubio sets the record straight and explains why the strike was inevitable as Iran approached a dangerous strategic threshold.

We also look at the international response, including signals that key European leaders are increasingly aligned with the U.S. position.

Back in the United States, the Supreme Court slows California’s efforts involving gender policies and minors, marking an important development in the ongoing national debate over parental rights and state authority.

On the political front, new reporting shows House Democrats facing a costly and chaotic primary season, with dozens of incumbents already being challenged and tens of millions of dollars pouring into intra-party fights.

Plus: Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger digs in after refusing to honor an ICE detainer for an illegal immigrant with a long criminal record who is now accused of murder, and Gavin Newsom complains about California gas prices despite policies critics say have driven refineries out of the state and forced California to import oil through unusual routes.

All that and more in today’s 10 Minute Drill.

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Intro

0:38 - Iran Diplomacy

3:04 - Rubio & Israel’s Role

5:56 - SCOTUS backs Parental Rights

7:40 - Democrat’s Primary Issues

9:04 - Spanberger Doubles Down

11:13 - Gavin’s Energy Price Hike

In today’s episode of The 10 Minute Drill, we unpack the rapidly developing fallout from the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran — and why the political, global, and cultural consequences are only just beginning.

Iran Updates: New details reveal 49 killed in a single day, as reports indicate the CIA had monitored the Ayatollah for weeks before the operation. We walk through the latest reporting, the broader historical context, and why the “war of choice” argument is already falling apart.

Democrats in a Corner: Many on the Left say Iran is a terror regime responsible for killing Americans — yet argue the Ayatollah should have remained in power. We examine the messaging dissonance, the “no imminent threat” pivot, and the growing divide between rhetoric and reality. When even members of the U.S. Senate agree Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon, what exactly was the alternative?

The World Rallying Together: From key Middle Eastern allies to NATO leadership and Western partners, global responses suggest Iran may have badly miscalculated. We also explore the China angle — with reports that nearly 90% of Iran’s oil exports were heading to Beijing.

Austin Terror Attack: A Texas mass shooting suspect with extremist messaging raises serious national security questions. Was this terrorism? And what does it mean for DHS and domestic vigilance?

Virginia Failures: A 41-year-old mother was stabbed to death at a Virginia bus stop by an illegal immigrant with more than 30 prior arrests. We break down the policy failures and the political fallout.

Portnoy vs. Swalwell: A fiery back-and-forth between Dave Portnoy and Rep. Eric Swalwell turns into a broader debate about war, national security credibility, and who gets to weigh in.

0:00 - Intro

0:34 - Latest from Iran

2:58 - Dems in a Corner

6:08 - The Global Response

8:54 - Austin Terror Attack

9:57 - Virginia’s Failed Policies

10:57 - Eric Swalwell vs. Dave Portnoy