This is the March 16, 2026, edition of “The Tea, Spilled by Morning Joe” newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered straight to your inbox Monday through Friday.
“It’s the first time since 2012 that there are no British actors nominated for best actor or best actress. A British spokesperson said, ‘Yeah, well, at least we arrest our pedophiles.’”
— Conan O’Brien’s opening monologue at the 98th Academy Awards
A CONVERSATION WITH SEN. ADAM SCHIFF
The Iran war has entered its third week, with financial markets on edge and fears of a wider conflict growing. Sen. Adam Schiff — one of Donald Trump’s fiercest critics — joined “Morning Joe” to discuss the risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, the economic fallout for Americans, and what comes next in Washington.
JL: Senator, let’s start with the Strait of Hormuz. The administration is now turning to allies to help secure that passage. What are you watching there right now?
AS: I think what we’re seeing reflects a lack of broader planning for this war. When you spend months bashing our NATO allies and then suddenly need their help, they’re understandably reluctant to get involved — especially if they weren’t part of the planning from the start.
The strait itself is inherently vulnerable. It doesn’t take much — a few mines, drones, or inexpensive projectiles — to threaten shipping there. Defending against that kind of asymmetric threat is enormously expensive.
JL: Senator, what impact is this conflict already having on Americans here at home?
AS: The heaviest cost, of course, is that we’ve already lost 13 service members. That’s particularly troubling when there was no imminent threat to our country.
There are also immense financial costs. Americans are already feeling it at the pump, and they will increasingly see it at the grocery store.
A lot of fertilizer and other agricultural inputs move through the Strait of Hormuz. If that flow is disrupted, farmers will be squeezed even further, and consumers will face higher food prices.
John Heilemann: Some lawmakers are warning this conflict could escalate further — even raising the possibility of U.S. ground forces being used to reopen the strait. How concerned are you?
AS: This is a deep concern of mine — that you could see Marines inserted to try to reopen the strait. That would introduce a whole new level of risk for American troops.
It also raises the possibility that U.S. forces could be taken hostage by Iran — and what a mess that would be.
JH: What role should Congress be playing here?
AS: At this point we are relying on Republican members of the Senate to reassert Congress’ war powers. They have thus far refused, and I hope that changes before we see further loss of American lives.
JL: Senator, you sit on the Agriculture Committee. The administration is signaling it may loosen restrictions on migrant farm labor after deportation raids created shortages. What are farmers telling you?
AS: Farmers are in a difficult position. Immigration raids have discouraged workers from showing up, leaving fields untended. Tariffs are crushing farmers, and now higher fertilizer costs from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are adding even more pressure.
It’s a perfect storm of awful for farmers — and all of it ultimately drives up food prices for consumers.
This conversation has been condensed and edited for brevity and clarity.
ON THIS DATE
On March 16, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy launched his presidential campaign. He would run a historic campaign and win the California primary before being assassinated less than three months later.
“I run to seek new policies — policies to end the bloodshed in Vietnam and in our cities, policies to close the gaps that now exist between black and white, between rich and poor, between young and old, in this country and around the rest of the world.”
POPE LEO XIV PRESSES FOR CEASEFIRE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Pope Leo XIV issued his strongest call yet for a ceasefire in the Middle East yesterday, urging leaders involved in the war to reopen dialogue.
“I address those responsible for this conflict: Let there be a ceasefire, let paths of dialogue be reopened,” the pontiff said during his Sunday blessing.
The pope, history’s first American-born head of the Catholic Church, did not name the United States or Iran, though the Conference of Catholic Bishops was more direct, demanding “a halt to the spiral of violence.”
🏆 OSCARS DISPATCH 🏆
The Oscars delivered viewers a night of emotional tributes, political statements, and a closely watched Best Actor race.
“Live From E!” host Keltie Knight joined to take us through the ceremony’s highlights.
JL: Keltie, give us your big takeaway from last night. It felt like this really became a two-movie race.
KK: We knew it was going to be a “Sinners” versus “One Battle After Another” night, and it was so exciting the way it turned out — because each one of those films walked away with something.
JL: One of the most talked-about moments was the best actor win for Michael B. Jordan. What stood out to you?
KK: The look on his face was pure shock — it was like his spirit left his body.
You have to remember, Michael B. Jordan is that guy. We saw him nearly 20 years ago playing sixth on the call sheet on “Friday Night Lights.” The career and the work it took for him to get here — it was one of the best moments of the night.
JL: The ceremony also turned emotional during the memorial segment, including a rare performance from Barbra Streisand. What was the mood in the room?
KK: I enjoyed the in memoriam so much. It was so well done. The fact that Barbra Streisand was singing onstage at the Oscars is such an incredible feat. They were smart to do it early in the ceremony — we got our tears out and then went into party mode.
This conversation has been condensed and edited for brevity and clarity.
EXTRA HOT TEA
$10 BILLION
—The estimated fee that the Trump administration is reportedly set to collect for brokering a TikTok deal
ONE MORE SHOT
Filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson and actor Leonardo DiCaprio hug as they accept the award for best picture for “One Battle After Another” onstage during the 98th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on March 15, 2026.
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