I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Democrats Continue Pushback Against Luxury Jet Gift to Trump. On May 21, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced S.Res.242 and S.Res.244 to condemn President Donald Trump’s acceptance of a luxury jet from Qatar and to affirm that the gift violates the Foreign Emoluments Clause in the Constitution. On the same day, Senate Republicans blocked a bill introduced by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) that would have barred the use of the jet as Air Force One.
Senate Resolution Urges Turkey to Uphold Democratic Values. On May 22, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced S.Res.257, which expresses concern about the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and urges the Turkish government to uphold democratic values.
Senate Bills Target Iran. On May 22, Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced S.1883a government-wide strategy to disrupt Iran’s cooperation with China, Russia, and North Korea. On the same day, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced S.1889 to repeal the sunset provision of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Senate Democrats Concerned with Trump’s Personal Financial Gain from MENA Trip. On May 13, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) expressed concern over President Trump’s personal financial entanglements with foreign governments, urging him to divest from financial interests that could influence US policy.
Democrats Push Secretary Rubio for Answers on Foreign Assistance. On May 16, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and colleagues demanded that Secretary of State Marco Rubio answer outstanding questions regarding USAID’s integration into the Department of State and the administration’s termination of funding appropriated for foreign assistance.
HFAC’s Meeks Concerned with Trump Envoys’ Conflict of Interest. On May 20, HFAC’s Meeks (D-NY) sent a letter to Secretary Rubio regarding the status, duties, and potential conflicts of interests of multiple special envoys in the Trump administration, including Senior Advisor Massad Boulos.
3) Hearings and Briefings
HFAC Holds Hearing on Sudan. On May 22, HFAC held a hearing on Sudan, focusing on the humanitarian crisis and efforts to resolve the ongoing war.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Condemns Shooting of Israeli Embassy Staffers. On May 22, President Trump condemned the killing of two employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC. After the incident, Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Trump Administration Moves to Block Harvard from Enrolling Foreign Students. On May 22, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the Department of Homeland Security would be terminating Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, accusing the university of “pro-terrorist conduct.”
Fifth Round of US-Iran Talks Take Place. On May 23, US and Iranian officials met in Rome for a fifth round of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, focusing on its uranium enrichment. White House Special Envoy Steve Witkoff led the US delegation. The talks’ mediator, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, said that the meeting concluded “with some but not conclusive progress.” On May 25, President Trump said that the negotiators had a “very good” discussion and that he has “a feeling I might be telling you something good” in the next two days.
Trump Says He Wants Gaza War to End “As Quickly as Possible.” On May 25, President Trump told reporters that he has been talking to Israeli officials about Gaza and “want[s] to see if we can stop that whole situation as quickly as possible.” On May 26, Special Envoy Steven Witkoff stated that Israel had accepted the administration’s latest ceasefire proposal and encouraged Hamas to accept it. Some media reports, however, indicate that Hamas may have accepted a different proposal than the one supposedly approved by Israel.
2) Department of State
US-Turkey Syria Working Group Meets. On May 20, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz to discuss bilateral relations and Syria. US and Turkish delegations also participated in a working group to increase coordination on stability and security in Syria. On May 22, Reuters reported that President Trump will appoint Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack to serve as US Special Envoy for Syria
Secretary Rubio Testifies at Congressional Hearings. From May 20-21, Secretary Rubio testified before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Appropriations Committee on the Department of State’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. Rubio addressed US policy toward Syria, threats from and negotiations with Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, expanding the Abraham Accords, and the situation in Sudan, among other topics.
Department Makes Iranian Sanctions Determinations. On May 22, the Department of State issued two determinations relating to Iran’s construction sector, which will enable the Trump administration to broaden its sanction authorities on materials that may be intended for Iran’s nuclear, military, or ballistic missile programs.
Department Finds Use of Chemical Weapons in Sudan. On May 22, the Department of State notified Congress of a determination that the Sudanese government used chemical weapons in 2024.
Secretary Rubio Meets KRG Prime Minister. On May 23, Secretary Rubio met with Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and discussed Iraq’s energy independence and the protection of the rights of religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria.
3) Department of Defense
Secretary Hegseth Signs Letter of Intent for US-UAE Defense Partnership. On May 16, Secretary Hegseth and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Defense Affairs Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei signed a letter of intent to establish a US-UAE Major Defense Partnership. On May 19, the US Defense Innovation Unit and the UAE Tawazun Council signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen defense ties.
AFRICOM Conducts Strikes in Somalia. On May 17 and 21, US forces conducted airstrikes against al-Shabab in Somalia.
CENTCOM Announces US-Qatar Military Exercise. On May 20, the United States Central Command announced that from April 13 to April 17, US and Qatari forces participated in a combined military exercise in Qatar.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Announces Sanctions Relief on Syria. On May 23, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued Syria General License 25 to provide immediate relief from some US executive-branch sanctions on Syria. Concurrently, the Department of State issued a temporary waiver under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act in order to enable foreign partners to invest in Syria. Congressional action likely will be necessary to repeal the full Act.
