Senate Democrat Schumer Criticizes Trump as Iran Faces U.S. Ultimatum on Strait of Hormuz

By Shrai Popat

Published: April 7, 2026

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer described President Donald Trump as an "extremely sick person" in response to a Truth Social post by the president warning that "a whole civilization will die tonight" if Iran does not meet a U.S. deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8 p.m. ET.

Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, stated on the Senate floor: "Each Republican who refuses to join us in voting against this wanton war of choice owns every consequence of whatever the hell this is." His comments came hours before the deadline, during which Trump has indicated the U.S. would escalate strikes to include civilian infrastructure and power plants if no agreement is reached.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, was closed by Iran last week in response to Israeli strikes on targets in Lebanon, according to Iranian state media and reports from Western outlets including Reuters and the Associated Press. Iran cited the Israeli actions, which targeted Hezbollah positions, as justification for the closure, which has contributed to a spike in global oil prices and an ongoing energy crisis.

Diplomatic efforts have included a U.S.-proposed 45-day ceasefire, which Iran rejected on Monday. Iranian diplomat Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, head of Iran's mission in Cairo, told the Associated Press that Tehran would only accept a permanent end to hostilities with guarantees against future attacks. Pakistan has also mediated proposals for a two-week extension of talks, with Trump administration officials indicating conditional agreement to pause strikes if Iran reopens the strait immediately.

Other Democrats, including Senator Chris Murphy of the Foreign Relations Committee, have criticized the U.S. approach. Murphy described the potential escalation as risking widespread civilian casualties amid efforts to pressure Iran into reopening the strait.

Key Developments

• 21 minutes ago: Schumer responds to Trump's social media post warning of consequences if Iran misses Hormuz deadline.
• 1 hour ago: Trump posts on Truth Social that "a whole civilization will die tonight" absent compliance.
• 3 hours ago: Wisconsin holds supreme court election amid discussions of potential midterm challenges.
• 4 hours ago: Georgia voters participate in runoff for House seat vacated by Marjorie Taylor Greene.
• 4 hours ago: Partial government shutdown continues as House Republicans debate funding for DHS agencies.

Vance Addresses Iran Strategy in Budapest

During a press conference in Budapest with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, U.S. Vice President JD Vance fielded questions on U.S. military objectives in Iran amid ongoing operations.

Vance confirmed reports of U.S. strikes on Kharg Island, Iran's key oil export terminal, stating the targets were limited to military sites such as air defenses. "The plan was to hit some military targets there and I believe we have done so," Vance said. Pentagon officials have corroborated that the strikes, conducted solely by U.S. forces, avoided energy infrastructure and civilian areas.

"The president’s deadline has been followed by us and everybody else," Vance added. "We’re not going to strike energy and infrastructure targets until the Iranians either make a proposal that we can get behind or don’t make a proposal. But he’s given them until Tuesday at 8 p.m."

Vance noted that the Kharg actions align with prior strategy and joked that Iranian negotiators are "not the fastest," expressing hope for a response by the evening deadline. A planned Pentagon briefing with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine was canceled.

Iran's Mehr news agency reported explosions on Kharg Island, attributing them to "American-Zionist" attacks, though U.S. officials have denied Israeli involvement and specified military-only targets. No independent verification of damage to oil facilities has been provided.

For ongoing regional updates, see the Guardian's Middle East live coverage.

Trump's Ultimatum and Prior Statements

In the Truth Social post, Trump wrote: "A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," tying the warning to the 8 p.m. ET deadline. He maintained that absent a deal, the U.S. would expand its bombing campaign to bridges, power plants, and other infrastructure.

Trump has described such actions as necessary to counter Iran's nuclear program and strait closure. At a White House press conference on Tuesday, he stated that all of Iran could be "taken out" in one night, adding: "Every bridge in Iran will be decimated by midnight ET on Wednesday, and every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again."

Responding to questions on potential violations of international law or war crimes, Trump said: "I’m not worried about it. You know what’s a war crime? Having a nuclear weapon." He declined to specify if civilian targets would be excluded.

Trump is scheduled for policy meetings in Washington today, followed by a 7 p.m. ET dinner with Indian Ambassador Sergio Gor at the White House. These events are closed to the press.

The threats follow U.S. and Israeli strikes on Monday that killed at least 25 people in Iran, per Iranian reports. Iran retaliated with missile launches toward Israel and Gulf Arab states.

Diplomatic Backdrop

The current escalation stems from Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20% of global oil trade. Iranian officials linked the move directly to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group backed by Iran. Western reports, including from the BBC and CNN, confirm the sequence: Israeli operations preceded the Hormuz action by days.

U.S. officials have emphasized negotiation windows. Trump agreed in principle to a Pakistan-brokered two-week pause if Iran reopens the strait immediately, according to State Department briefings. However, Iran's rejection of the 45-day ceasefire—demanding instead a full war end—has stalled progress.

Vance Visits Hungary Amid Orbán's Campaign

Vice President JD Vance arrived in Hungary for a two-day visit to support Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a Trump ally facing polls ahead of Sunday's election. Vance is set to meet Orbán and attend a campaign rally.

Orbán, in power since 2010, trails challengers in recent surveys. The trip signals U.S. backing for his reelection.


UN Expert Warns of U.S. Waste Exports Impacting Mexico

A United Nations special rapporteur on toxics and human rights has highlighted environmental concerns in Mexico linked to imports of U.S. waste.

Marcos Orellana, following an 11-day mission last month, told the Guardian and Mexican outlet Quinto Elemento Lab that lax standards have allowed pollutants, including hazardous waste and pesticides from the U.S., to accumulate. "Where standards are weak, what you get is legalized pollution," Orellana said. He described Mexico as a "garbage sink" for U.S. overconsumption.

Mexican communities face health risks from these imports, per Orellana's findings.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Underway

Wisconsin voters are selecting a state supreme court justice to replace retiring conservative Rebecca Bradley, in a race that could affect the court's 4-3 liberal majority ahead of November midterms.

Candidates are Chris Taylor, a liberal appeals court judge and former Democratic lawmaker, and Maria Lazar, a conservative appeals court judge and ex-deputy attorney general.

A Taylor victory would create a 5-2 liberal majority. Taylor has supported voting access measures, while Lazar has defended Republican-drawn legislative maps later struck down by the court as gerrymandered and backed restrictions on drop boxes, a decision also overturned.

Bradley, appointed in 2015, authored the drop box ban opinion. The race has drawn less attention than prior contests, though voting rights groups urge participation.

Georgia Runoff for Vacant House Seat

Northwest Georgia voters are deciding a U.S. House special election runoff between Republican Clay Fuller and Democrat Shawn Harris.

The seat opened after Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned in January following a dispute with Trump. Fuller, a former district attorney, Air National Guard veteran, and Trump endorsee, led the March 10 primary with 34.9%. Harris, a moderate Democrat, took 37.3% and appeals to some Trump skeptics in the conservative district.

Fuller is favored in the two-candidate field.

Partial Government Shutdown Persists

The U.S. partial government shutdown, now in its eighth week and the longest on record, shows no resolution as Congress recesses until April 13.

Republican leaders proposed funding for Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), while delaying funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and parts of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The plan aims to use reconciliation for immigration funding, bypassing the Senate filibuster. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces resistance from conservative Republicans, who view it as yielding to Democrats after they blocked a broader DHS bill lacking ICE safeguards.

Yesterday's House procedural session yielded no action on a Senate funding measure. Affected agencies continue minimal operations.

*This is a developing story. Updates will follow as events unfold.*

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