US destroys Iran bridges, more targets ahead; Despite firing, Bondi still called to testify

The U.S. strikes three key bridges inside Iran, and President Donald Trump warns power plants could be next.

Plus, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth forces out the Army’s top general. A close ally steps in as the Pentagon tightens control of leadership.

And Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi. But lawmakers are still pushing to compel her testimony on the Epstein files.

These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, April 3, 2026.

US destroys key Iranian bridges as Trump says more targets could be next

President Donald Trump is following through on his threat to hit Iran “extremely hard,” starting with strikes on major bridges.

Trump says the U.S. military has destroyed three of Iran’s largest bridges, posting video on Truth Social showing a strike on the B-1 bridge, which connects Tehran to the city of Karaj.

Local media reports that at least eight people were killed and nearly 100 were injured.

Hours later, Trump posted again, warning the U.S. has “not even started” what it plans to do next. He said bridges are the current target, but power plants could be next.

Iran is responding, launching attacks across the region overnight.

A drone strike hit Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi refinery, the second strike there in two days.

Kuwait also says an attack damaged a desalination plant that supplies water across parts of the Gulf.

In Israel, debris from an intercepted missile damaged a home in Ramat Gan.

Saudi Arabia says it shot down several Iranian drones, and the UAE says its air defense systems were activated.

Hegseth orders Army chief Gen. Randy George to retire immediately

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has forced out the Army’s top officer, ordering General Randy George to retire immediately.

CBS News first reported the move, later confirmed by the Pentagon.

A spokesperson says George is stepping down “effective immediately,” thanking him for decades of service. 

STATEMENT:

General Randy A. George will be retiring from his position as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army effective immediately. The Department of War is grateful for General George’s decades of service to our nation. We wish him well in his retirement.

— Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellASW) April 2, 2026

George had been in the role since 2023 and was expected to stay through 2027.

Instead, Hegseth pushed for a change at the top, with one official telling CBS he wants leadership aligned with his and Trump’s vision for the army.

This is the latest in a string of high-level shakeups inside the military.

Hegseth has already removed or replaced more than a dozen senior officers across multiple branches.

He has defended those decisions publicly, arguing that allies and the military need to step up and follow a clearer mission.

CNN reports the move also ties into internal friction at the Pentagon.

George worked closely with Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, a key Trump ally, but Hegseth viewed that relationship as a problem and at times saw Driscoll as a rival.

Officials say George’s past role working under former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in the Biden administration also worked against him with the current leadership.

The Pentagon made the announcement on social media, calling it an immediate retirement and thanking George for his service.

Just days ago, George was still on the job, visiting West Point and meeting with cadets.

The academy posted photos of that visit, highlighting his guidance to future army leaders.

The @USArmy Chief of Staff, Gen. Randy George, shared experience-driven guidance with cadets preparing to lead. Thank you for investing in our future Army leaders. pic.twitter.com/F0Q7NGMRY5

— U.S. Military Academy at West Point (@WestPoint_USMA) April 2, 2026

Now, the army’s vice chief, General Christopher Laneve, a close ally of Hegseth, is expected to step in as acting chief.

Congress pushes for Bondi testimony on Epstein case, despite firing

Both Democrats and Republicans on the House Oversight Committee say they will still call former Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify on the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files.

Lawmakers say Bondi’s firing does not change their plans, and they will continue pushing to get her under oath.

Trump removed Bondi after months of scrutiny over her leadership at the Justice Department, including questions about the Epstein files and her failure to deliver on Trump’s demands to pursue cases against his political rivals.

In a statement, Trump called Bondi a “great American patriot and a loyal friend,” adding she will “be transitioning to a much-needed and important new job in the private sector,” to be announced later.

Trump has named Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as acting attorney general.

There are reports that Trump has privately discussed replacing Bondi permanently with EPA administrator Lee Zeldin.

Trump threatens 100% drug tariffs, targets companies that reject pricing plan

One year after signing his “Liberation Day” tariffs into law, Trump has issued a new executive order targeting pharmaceuticals.

Trump announced that brand-name drugs from companies that don’t make deals with his administration in the coming months could face tariffs of up to 100%. Companies that sign up for his “most favored nation” pricing plan and build facilities in the U.S. will face no tariffs. Companies that build in the U.S. but don’t join the pricing plan would start at 20%, with tariffs rising to 100% over four years.

Larger drugmakers would have 120 days to negotiate before tariffs are imposed, while smaller companies would get 180 days.

It’s still unclear which companies or which drugs will be affected.

So far, the administration says it has reached deals with 17 major drugmakers — including 13 that are finalized.

Justice Department rejects records law, says Trump not required to follow it

The Justice Department now says a key law governing presidential records is unconstitutional and that Trump does not have to comply with it.

In a new legal opinion, the department’s Office of Legal Counsel ruled that the Presidential Records Act goes too far, saying Congress cannot compel the president to preserve and turn over records to the National Archives.

The law has been in place since the 1970s, requiring presidents to treat official records as government property, not personal property.

The opinion, first reported by Axios, states that the law grants Congress too much authority over the presidency.

“The act establishes a permanent and burdensome regime of congressional regulation of the presidency untethered from any valid and identifiable legislative purpose. For these reasons, the pra is unconstitutional, and the president need not further comply with its dictates.”

— Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser

The opinion is binding within the executive branch, but it does not alter the law. Courts or Congress would need to act on that.

The decision might allow the White House to establish its own rules for managing presidential records — something Trump has long supported.

After leaving office in 2021, Trump kept documents at Mar-a-Lago, including classified materials, and faced criminal charges over their handling. He denied wrongdoing, and a judge later dismissed the case after he returned to office.

The White House said it’s still maintaining records and will keep its current system in place.

Trump ballroom wins key approval

The National Capital Planning Commission has approved Trump’s plan to build a grand ballroom at the White House. The vote was 8 to 1. Several commission members are Trump allies, but two abstained.

The project involves constructing a 90,000-square-foot ballroom. It will replace the East Wing, which was torn down last October, with demolition crews gutting the space as cameras filmed.

The vote was postponed for weeks because of opposition to the project’s size.

CBS News reported that the commission received more than 30,000 complaints, and at least 100 people lined up to speak at a public meeting last month, many of whom were preservationists and architects.

Even with approval, the $400 million project is now in legal limbo.

Earlier this week, a federal judge halted construction, ruling that the president is a steward of the White House for future presidents, not its owner.

The Justice Department said it will appeal.

Trump has said the ballroom will be privately funded and called it “the greatest and most beautiful ballroom of its kind anywhere in the world.”

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