This week’s guide to government and politics in under 10 minutes

Good Monday Morning. We’re sending you good vibrations on this 60th anniversary of the Beach Boys album Pet Sounds. Several states have primaries this week so be sure to check ASP’s Election Hub to confirm your voting information.

Nebraska and West Virginia have primaries tomorrow. Check your voter registration status and polling place with ASP’s Election Hub.

I PENTAGON BEGINS TO RELEASE UFO FILES

The Pentagon began releasing UFO files last week and will continue to do so on a rolling basis. The Trump administration has taken no position on the existence of extraterrestrial visitors, saying that the public should make up their own minds. Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a statement that “These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation — and it’s time the American people see it for themselves.” The release follows renewed interest in the subject after former President Barack Obama said in February that aliens are “real, but I haven’t seen them.” Obama later walked back his comments, saying he was referencing the statistical likelihood of life beyond Earth. 

>> Watch ASP’s Chris Evans and Mark Kassen talk UFO’s with Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) here. 

I IRAN PEACE OFFER “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE”

President Donald Trump has called Iran’s counter-proposal to a U.S.-offered deal “totally unacceptable.” Iran’s demands for an end to the conflict, passed to the U.S. through Pakistani mediators, included war reparations from the U.S., recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, and an end to U.S. sanctions on Iran. Small-scale attacks have continued after a burst of fighting between the two countries on Friday in the Strait of Hormuz despite a nominal ceasefire. Each country blamed the other for initiating the attacks. The war and resulting blockade of the Strait has caused global energy shocks, with the International Energy Agency calling the situation “the biggest energy security threat in history.” 

>> Find out the latest information on Iran’s nuclear program here.

 I NEW VOTING RIGHTS RULING SHAKES UP THE REDISTRICTING FIGHT

The multi-state redistricting fight is turning against Democrats after Virginia’s State Supreme Court struck down a voter-approved referendum last week. The measure would have allowed the state to draw a new map, likely moving its House delegation to a 10-1 Democrat-to-Republican split from its current 6-5 split. Southern states are also racing to redraw their maps after a Supreme Court decision found maps drawn to include majority-minority districts unfairly discriminate on the basis of race. Tennessee has approved a new map that will likely eliminate its only Democratic representative, and Mississippi and South Carolina have taken steps to approve new maps to make it tougher for Black Democratic representatives in their states to retain their seats. 

>> Uncover more about the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act decision here. 

I TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SENDS AI MIXED SIGNALS

The Trump administration is sending mixed signals on how aggressively it plans to regulate artificial intelligence. Last week, administration officials suggested tech companies could be required to submit their AI models for federal review before releasing them publicly. The next day, other officials said mandatory vetting is not the administration’s position and that calls for stricter AI rules remain a minority view inside the White House. The conflicting messages come as the industry anticipates an executive order to prevent advanced AI systems from being used to launch cyberattacks and develop bioweapons. 

>> Explore how state governments are approaching questions about AI here.

I COURT STRIKES DOWN MORE TARIFFS

The Court of International Trade struck down a second round of worldwide tariffs last week. The tariffs were put in place on an order from President Trump to replace those outlawed by the Supreme Court in February when it ruled that he had overstepped his authority in ordering double-digit tariffs during his 2025 “Liberation Day” announcement. 

>> Dig deeper into how tariffs work here. 

Planning to fly this summer? Book your ticket now, because flight prices are going up. Watch to find out why, and when travelers can expect some relief.

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