Evening Wire: Oil Prices Spike & Trump Reclassifies Marijuana | 4.23.26

This Evening Wire episode covers a range of developments, with the biggest focus on escalating US-Iran tensions driving up oil prices and the DOJ's move to reclassify marijuana. Other items include a push for a Ghislaine Maxwell pardon, legal setbacks for progressive groups, and scattered reports on health surveillance, environmental risks, and personal stories.

Strait of Hormuz Standoff and Oil Surge

President Trump has intensified US control over the Strait of Hormuz amid an ongoing standoff with Iran. He ordered the US Navy to shoot and kill any Iranian boats caught mining the strait, while minesweepers clear existing mines. Trump also extended a ceasefire with Iran earlier this week due to internal regime dysfunction and took credit for Iran calling off executions of eight women—though Iranian state media denied any such plans were in place. These moves coincide with the sudden resignation of Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Phelan, announced Wednesday and effective immediately, just after his speech outlining the Navy's future agenda at a conference. Oil prices spiked in response: Brent crude surpassed $100 a barrel on Wednesday and held high, while West Texas Intermediate topped $90. The blockade raises questions about operational readiness at a critical time.