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The Short List

Mon Apr 13 2026

Phaedra Trethan | National Correspondent

@wordsbyphaedra

👋🏼 Hello again! I'm Phaedra Trethan, back from a week off and grateful to the talented Rebecca Morin for taking the reins last week.

In Monday's news:

•	President Donald Trump is escalating a war of words with Pope Leo XIV. 🔈
•	A U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz began Monday after failed peace talks with Iran. 🚫
•	U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor after allegations of sexual assault.

But first: Your humble newsletter writer shares a birthday with Queen Elizabeth II (I'm a bit younger). So I had to let you know about USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page's new book, "The Queen and Her Presidents," which explores the Queen's relationship with U.S. presidents from Harry Truman to Donald Trump. You can win a signed copy, too! 👑 📖 ✍🏼

'Gross blasphemy'

President Donald Trump is engaging in a war of words — and now images — with Pope Leo XIV over the literal war in Iran, and religious conservatives are joining the chorus of those condemning Trump's rhetoric. The first American-born pontiff has directly criticized Trump's language including his threat that "a whole civilization will die," while Trump, in lengthy social media posts, has called Leo "WEAK on Crime" and taken credit for his election to the papacy. Trump posted an AI-generated image of himself as a Christ-like figure that one Christian Republican called "gross blasphemy."

•	The image was later removed amid wide-ranging backlash.
•	Watch: Trump says Pope Leo is "wrong."
•	More on what sparked Trump's post.
•	Watch: Pope Leo XIV reacts to Trump.
•	Worth noting: Roughly 1 in 5 Americans identify as Catholic.

After President Donald Trump warned the U.S. could strike Iran's critical infrastructure, Pope Leo appealed for peace.

Reuters

Dire Strait

The U.S. began a blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz Monday, halting maritime traffic at Iranian ports and ratcheting up tensions in the region after weekend peace negotiations failed. Iran had closed the 100 mile-long waterway in response to U.S.-Israel attacks since Feb. 28, forcing a virtual standstill that's roiled global markets and caused energy and fuel prices to spike.

•	The blockade, mapped and explained.
•	Watch: Global reactions to the blockade.
•	The latest updates on the war in Iran.

There are at least 16 Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf region.

Real quick

•	Hungarians roundly rejected their longtime populist leader. What it might mean for other populists. 🗳️
•	The teenage stepbrother of a Florida woman who died aboard a cruise ship has been charged with sexual abuse and murder.
•	Two more people were arrested after a second attack near the home of Open AI CEO Sam Altman.
•	The pride flag, removed in February by the Trump administration, will permanently fly over the Stonewall National Monument in New York City. 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

Swalwell out

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell said Sunday he is suspending his campaign for California governor after several women accused him of sexual assault and misconduct, saying he's "deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past," while denying he'd done anything illegal. The Democratic frontrunner's announcement came after several Democrats withdrew their support — and just weeks before the June 2 primary.

•	Why Swalwell is under investigation in New York.
•	Watch: Swalwell suspends his campaign.
•	Meanwhile in Georgia...

A Masterful performance ⛳️

The jacket still fits.

Rory McIlroy won his second straight Masters , joining only Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods in winning golf's marquee event in consecutive years.

•	Yes, it really is the same jacket. 🏌️‍♂️
•	Scottie Scheffler had some thoughts about the course at Augusta. 🧐
•	What grade did McIlroy give himself on his performance? ✍🏼
•	Photos: Rory Mcllroy takes the 2026 Masters. 📸

2026: Rory McIlroy

Bill Streicher, Imagn Images

A break from the news

•	The WNBA Draft gets underway. Who's going first? 🏀 ⛹🏻‍♀️
•	Nobody misses you like your dog — even when you've spent a few days out of this world. 🥹 🐶 🩷
•	Pigs gonna pig out. But this one wasn't waiting for dinner. 🐷

Phaedra Trethan is a national correspondent at USA TODAY. She'd love to hear from readers about The Short List, story ideas from across the nation and who you think should go first in the WNBA Draft. Email her at ptrethan@usatoday.com.