The week ended with renewed disruption in Hormuz, an ICE leadership exit, and a court ruling on White House construction.
Dante Belcher
Apr 20, 2026
Trump’s 65th week ended with continued tensions with Iran, updates on ICE leadership, and a court ruling. This comes as the Strait of Hormuz was once again closed after briefly reopening on Friday, raising implications as peace talks are set to resume Monday. At the same time, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons announced he would resign in May.
As the trade war continues, the Trump administration announced the launch of a refund system for American importers impacted by tariffs, raising implications following a previous report from The Introspective detailing the Supreme Court ruling the tariffs illegal. Meanwhile, a federal appeals court allowed construction of the White House ballroom to continue.
Iran and ICE
As tensions with Iran continue, the Strait of Hormuz was closed after briefly reopening Friday, raising implications as a blockade by the U.S. continues.
“Iran decided to fire bullets yesterday in the Strait of Hormuz—A Total Violation of our Ceasefire Agreement! Many of them were aimed at a French ship, and a freighter from the United Kingdom,” wrote Trump on Truth Social, referring to Iranian troops shooting at ships attempting to bypass the blockade.
“That wasn’t nice, was it?”
Iran’s military later said that “no vessel should make any movement from its anchorage in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, and approaching the Strait of Hormuz will be considered as cooperation with the enemy,” raising implications as Trump threatened to attack Iran if a deal is not reached.
“We’re offering a very fair and reasonable DEAL, and I hope they take it because, if they don’t, the United States is going to knock out every single Power Plant, and every single Bridge, in Iran,” he wrote.
“They’ll come down fast, they’ll come down easy and, if they don’t take the DEAL, it will be my Honor to do what has to be done, which should have been done to Iran, by other Presidents, for the last 47 years.”
Peace talks are set to resume in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, on Monday.
At the same time, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons announced he would resign in May.
“My sons are both reaching a pivotal point in their lives, and my wife and I wish to spend as much time as possible with them,” read his resignation letter, obtained by The Introspective.
“This was not an easy decision, but I believe it is the right one for me and my family at this time. I am confident that ICE will continue to fulfill its vital responsibilities with integrity and professionalism.”
In an X post, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced that Lyons’ last day would be May 31.
“Director Lyons has been a great leader of ICE and a key player in helping the Trump administration remove murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists, and gang members from American communities,” he wrote.
“He jumpstarted an agency that had not been allowed to do its job for four years. Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer.”
Refunds and White House Ballroom
As the trade war continues, the Trump administration announced the launch of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE)—a refund system for American importers impacted by tariffs.
“CAPE is designed to consolidate refunds of IEEPA duties, including interest, rather than processing refunds on an entry-by-entry basis,” read a memo from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), referring to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
This comes following a previous report from The Introspective detailing the Supreme Court ruling the tariffs illegal.
Meanwhile, a federal appeals court allowed construction of the White House ballroom to continue.
The Introspective 
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